Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Blue Hour

Shrimp Boats at Dawn, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok 
(Canon 5D Mark II camera, 24-105mm f4 lens, at 32mm, 3.2 sec, f8, ISO 100, tripod)


Dawn or dusk. The blue hour of twilight is my favorite time of day to photograph. Whether you're shooting film or digital, the cool tones of the light spectrum are easily recorded. This image shows a pair of shrimp boats at dawn reflected in a tidal creek near Folly Beach.



I'm often fascinated by the psychology of color and its emotional impact on the mind.  Blue is traditionally a color of calm and tranquility, but can also be a color of sadness.  Like so much in our world, color is subjective. Its emotional impact is relative to the surroundings.




Quick take: If you're interested in really retro photography, National Geographic has a cool feature article about Abelardo Morell's camera obscura photographs.
Maybe you can try this at home. Enjoy!





35 comments:

  1. Excellent composition and light

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  2. It is a charming photo, I really like the mirror effect! And blue is my favorite color :)

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  3. I love this blue hour and reflection in the water. A beautiful shot and mirror.

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  4. Just perfect reflection with tangle of lines.

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  5. I like this time of the day, you represented it perfectly in the mood and visually.

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  6. awesome blue tonality, spectacular photo

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  7. Perfect. JUST PERFECT. This is the photo. Its remains me the boats of the movie Forest Gump and his Shrimps boats. jjjj.
    Thank you for this photo.

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  8. Beautiful mood and blue twillight. What a perfect mirror and amazing reflections !

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  9. Great sharpness, the reflections on the water looks awesome.

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  10. gorgeous, doug. makes me want to sit on a deck and sip something smooth.

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  11. A magic hour, I would say, Doug! I like the mirror-like composition.

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  12. Ahh, the blue hour--nothing better. Splendid shot Doug.

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  13. Another masterpiece, Mr. Doug!

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  14. Fantastic reflection, it's a perfect mirror! ;-)

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  15. This has a wonderful dream quality. Great shot.

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  16. The blue light gives this shot an almost magical feeling. The glass-smooth water provides a perfect reflection.

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  17. I'm with ya on this one man. Love the blue hour. Really nice shot and great framing on the reflections.

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  18. Awesome colors! the water appears like glass.

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  19. Love the star-lights and the colour of these wonderful boats.
    The picture of the waterfall is just amazing as well, your blog is a delight to visit.
    Due to many working hours I spend little time on the internet, hopefully that will change in the future.
    Have a good day.

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  20. Oh, and thanks for the link to National Geographic. I had seen the making of the images on a PBS show. I can't remember if it was NOVA,, but it really was something to see. I thought about trying that here at home as well. But I live in the homogenous suburbs. Not too interesting.

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  21. Golden hour, golden photograph, Doug!!!

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  22. and great blues, too. lovely reflection.

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  23. Well done Doug!

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  24. Amazing how the dawn seems to be a time of great stillness. Such wonderful reflections superbly shot.

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  25. Perfect reflection and fantastic color :-)

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  26. Ultimate serenity!
    Funny, you see blue as sadness.
    I see it as pornography. ;^)

    Are you into psychology?
    I am a true Freudian. Ha!

    Oh, I saw that article too that day I saw the desert photo in the bookshop.

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  27. lovely lighting, folly beach is such a nice area too. the calm water is almost eerie :P, great capture

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  28. magnifique atmosphère dasn cette photo bleue.

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  29. Such beautiful detail and striking tones.

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  30. I love this, the perfect reflect and the water is absolutely calm.

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