24 hours of Creative Light | by Elodie Meyer
What could be more rewarding than challenging yourself creatively through your photography? Let’s be real—there are times when we simply don’t know where to begin, or we feel uninspired, or perhaps we just need that extra nudge to get our creative spark back. Well, consider this your nudge ;-)
This year, I’d like to encourage you to truly embrace the beauty of natural light throughout the day, and infuse your photos with a fresh, creative twist. We all know that a day is 24 hours long, but when you break it down, we're generally awake for about 16 of those hours. Throughout those 16 hours, we tend to have certain times of day we favor for capturing photos—often due to habit (who can resist Golden Hour?) or out of necessity (hello, parenting!).
But here’s the thing: there’s a whole world of light to explore between dawn and dusk, and into the night. I want to invite you to join me on a photographic journey from sunrise to sunset, as we harness the magic of natural light at different times of day. By embracing the unique qualities of light—and shadows—you’ll discover new ways to elevate your images.
Together, we’ll explore techniques that I love to use during the day. From the soft, gentle light of early morning to the dramatic contrasts at midday, and the warm, golden glow of evening light, each moment offers something special. In my course "Creative Light & Shadows", I share tips on how to make the most of these times, and help you push past the limits of your usual routine to experiment with different angles, moods, and compositions. Let's embrace the light—and its shadows—like never before!
6AM - Blue Hour and getting starbursts in camera
Blue Hour is one of my favorite times to shoot, when the sky transitions to a deep blue, but the sun is still below the horizon. It creates a calm, almost magical atmosphere. I love using long exposures during this time to capture the soft light and smooth motion of the scene. Street lamps also create beautiful starbursts when shot with a small aperture, adding a dreamy, romantic effect. The combination of the cool, fading light and glowing accents creates an enchanting mood that’s perfect for capturing both peaceful landscapes and urban scenes.
7AM - Sunrise and Silhouettes
While Blue Hour offers its own magic, I often prefer sunrise and the warm glow of Golden Hour for capturing silhouettes. There’s something timeless about the contrast of dark shapes against that soft, golden light. However, creating impactful silhouettes requires careful planning and preparation. It’s not just about timing; it’s about positioning, lighting, and composition. In my course, I dive deeper into these techniques, sharing what works and what doesn’t, to help you master the art of using light and shadows creatively in your photography.
8AM - Neutral density filter and long exposure
I’m passionate about getting creative with long exposures, which is why you’ll often find me with my neutral density filter in hand. It allows me to slow down the shutter speed and capture smooth, ethereal movements in the scene, like the flowing waves below. By using this technique, I can transform even the most ordinary subjects into dreamy, otherworldly images. The result is a sense of motion and tranquility that’s hard to achieve with faster shutter speeds, and it adds a beautiful and surreal vibe to my images.
9AM - Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
Any time of day is perfect for Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), but I especially enjoy it during the early morning or late evening, when the light is soft enough to allow for longer exposures without needing a neutral-density filter. The motion blur created through ICM adds a dynamic, artistic touch to otherwise still scenes, turning them into abstract works of art. If I want to experiment further, I can also recreate this effect in Photoshop, giving me more flexibility to play with movement and texture in post-processing for unique, visually striking results.
10AM - Reflections
Throughout the day, I make a point of paying special attention to reflections. While water reflections are the most obvious choice, many people overlook other reflective surfaces. Mirrors of any kind—yes, even car or truck mirrors—can create fascinating effects, as can windows, like those from storefronts. These reflections often give the feeling of "two images in one", adding layers of depth and intrigue to an otherwise simple scene. This creates a visual richness that captivates the eye, offering a unique perspective that’s both dynamic and compelling. It’s a great way to add complexity and interest to your shots.
11AM - Pocket of Light
When the light becomes harsh during midday, it can be challenging to capture a balanced image. Instead of fighting the intense sunlight, I often look for pockets of light—areas where the light filters through, creating interesting contrasts and shadows. These pockets of light can add a dramatic effect to your image, highlighting key elements while leaving others in shadow. This technique brings depth and mood to a scene, allowing you to use the harsh light to your advantage and create more compelling, dynamic compositions.
12PM - Full sun and sun flares
At times, I enjoy fully embracing the bright, intense sunlight and making the most of a sun-filled day. While it can be challenging to adapt to such harsh lighting, it offers unique opportunities for creativity. I love playing with sun flares, letting the light spill over my lens to create a dreamy, almost ethereal effect. These flares add a sense of warmth and energy, giving the image a dynamic, lively feel. It’s a great way to turn what might seem like difficult lighting into an exciting, bold visual element that enhances the mood of the photo.
1PM - Bokeh in the shade
When the sun becomes overwhelming, I often step into the shade to avoid the harsh lighting challenges. This provides a softer, more even light that’s much easier to work with. It’s also the perfect opportunity to experiment with bokeh, using the out-of-focus background to add depth and a dreamy, layered effect to the image. The blurred light spots can create a beautiful, soft atmosphere, giving the photo a more intimate and serene feeling. Using bokeh this way allows for a creative play between sharp subjects and gentle, glowing backgrounds, elevating the overall mood of the shot.
2PM - Dappled Light (and panning)
Sometimes, full shade isn't an option, and we're left with dappled light filtering through leaves or other surfaces. Rather than avoiding it, I like to embrace the playful patterns it creates and use it to add texture and depth to my images. The shifting light can highlight interesting details, creating a sense of movement and life within the scene. To enhance the effect, I’ll sometimes incorporate panning, adding a dynamic blur that contrasts with the sharp, textured areas. This combination of light and motion can result in captivating, visually rich photos with a unique, artistic flair.
3PM - Low Key
When you're looking to get creative, whether indoors or outdoors, using pockets of light for low-key images is always a winning choice. This technique creates a dramatic effect by highlighting certain areas of the scene while leaving the rest in shadow, adding mystery and depth. The contrast between light and dark draws the viewer’s attention to key elements, creating a powerful, emotional impact. Whether it’s the subtle glow of sunlight through a window or a spotlight in a darker space, pockets of light are perfect for producing striking, atmospheric photographs with a moody, cinematic feel.
4PM - Capturing movement
As the sun begins to dip lower, I love experimenting with longer exposure times to capture movement in my images. I often do this without a tripod, using my photography bag on the ground for added stability. This allows me to create a sense of motion—whether it’s the gentle blur of flowing water, moving clouds, or even people in the frame. The soft, fading light of the evening adds a unique, dreamy quality to these shots, while the longer exposure brings an ethereal, dynamic feel that enhances the mood and storytelling of the image.
5PM - Playing with long shadows
After silhouettes, playing with shadows is one of my favorite sources of inspiration in photography. Shadows have a unique way of enhancing storytelling by adding depth, mystery, and intrigue. They can transform an ordinary scene into something more compelling, guiding the viewer's eye to the focal point or creating a narrative within the frame. Whether it's the long shadows cast by the setting sun or the sharp contrasts in an indoor space, shadows allow us to play with light and shape, crafting images that evoke emotion and lead the viewer through the story we're telling.
6PM - Double Exposure
I’ve mentioned before how the "two images in one" effect can add depth, and double exposures are a perfect way to achieve this. The early evening, with its expanding shadows and deeper tones, offers an ideal setting for creating compelling double exposures. This time of day provides rich contrasts, allowing you to combine different elements in an intriguing way. You can experiment with double exposures directly in-camera, or merge images later in Photoshop for more control. Either way, the result is a dynamic, layered image that tells a more complex and visually captivating story.
7PM - Golden Hour and Sunset
After being awake for over 12 hours, we are rewarded with the second Golden Hour of the day—the stunning light of sunset. This magical time offers soft, warm tones that create a breathtaking atmosphere. The fading sunlight casts long shadows and adds a rich, golden glow to everything it touches. It’s a perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of the day winding down, whether it’s landscapes bathed in that golden hue or dramatic skies painted with vibrant colors. Sunset brings a sense of calm and beauty, offering photographers a second chance to create memorable, impactful images.
8PM - Blue Hour and moving your lens
As the day transitions into night, we are also treated to a second Blue Hour, offering another chance to get creative. One of my favorite techniques during this time is Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), specifically by adjusting the zoom lens while taking the shot. This creates dynamic, abstract effects, with swirling colors and shapes that enhance the cool, calming hues of Blue Hour. The movement adds an extra layer of energy and intrigue, transforming a simple scene into something much more artistic and visually captivating. It’s a great way to experiment and push the boundaries of creativity.
9PM - Lightpainting
During Blue Hour or at night, I love experimenting with light painting, often writing words or names with a light source. It's a fun way to add a personal touch to my photos. When I’m on vacation, I especially enjoy using this technique to write the name of the place where I’m capturing the image, making each photo a unique memento of that location. The contrast between the dark background and the glowing light creates a captivating, almost magical effect, transforming simple scenes into memorable, artistic expressions that tell a story beyond the image itself.
10PM - Photographing fireworks
In Montreal, we’re lucky to have fireworks year-round—both in the summer and winter—providing endless photo opportunities! Capturing the perfect shot requires a bit of timing and coordination, especially to catch the explosions at just the right moment. It can be tricky, but when you finally capture that perfect burst of color and light frozen in time, the reward is incredibly satisfying. The challenge of predicting the timing and adjusting your settings makes photographing fireworks a thrilling and rewarding experience, and each shot feels like a small victory in the pursuit of the perfect image.
Feeling inspired yet? If you’re eager to capture moments with a creative flair and dive deeper into the art of storytelling through photography, you’ve come to the right place. I’m excited to guide you through my new downloadable course, "Creative Light and Shadows". Together, we’ll explore techniques that will transform your photos and help you see light in a whole new way. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course is designed to unlock your creativity and take your photography to the next level. Let’s create something magical together!
