Over the past several months, I've learned that it's difficult to get nice landscapes when the sun is high in the sky. I was told to shoot morning at/after sunrise or in the evening at/before sunset.
Fine.
In addition, however, I have found that morning light is usually a million times better than evening light. Why is this? Is it because of the frost and snow currently reflecting more light in the morning than in the late afternoon/evening?
If anybody could provide me with the physics/dynamics behind why morning light is better than evening light (at least in this setting) when all other things are equal, I would appreciate it.
Simple answer; tends to be less atmospheric pollution in the morning.
Robt.
I think it is not only pollution. The morning sun comes after a cold night, and there is significantly more moisture in the air, which leads to scattering and a softer light
Also, sunlight causes pollutant molecules in the air to react in various ways, the most well known of which processes produces ozone from fuel particles in exhaust fumes.
Moisture is produced in the air as it cools also - so should not the light be softer then?
But mostly, I think, it is that the evening sun is shining across/through land/water that has been warmed by the course of the day, and the morning sun across land/water that has been cooled by the night, which, at the angles of light we're talking about, means there is less scattering and softening of light in the morning, other than locally by rising mist and so on, which means the light is reflected and refracted where you are, and not before where you are.
mostuire indeed is produced when the air cools - but that typically happens after the sunset. I still think that the morning sun is usually softer, not harsher than in the afternoon.
For me the morning light has moisture laden quality, its softer and very beautiful.
Midday - well harsh and unforgiving as we all know.
Evening light is dryer, soft warm pinks, very different to morning light.
I do prefer the mornings, especially here in the UK. It is also better because the traffic hasn't had time to build up so its easier to get to the location. I love early mornings.
