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!





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35 comments:

  1. KrunalJune 2, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Excellent composition and light

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  2. AnonymousJune 2, 2011 at 1:37 AM

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

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  3. Marie LCJune 2, 2011 at 2:12 AM

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

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  4. LuizaJune 2, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    Wow! Nice picture!

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  5. Frank de JolJune 2, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    Just perfect reflection with tangle of lines.

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  6. VPJune 2, 2011 at 3:37 AM

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

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  7. Theys RolandJune 2, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    Wonderful blue!

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  8. fabrizioJune 2, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    awesome blue tonality, spectacular photo

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  9. UnknownJune 2, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    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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  10. AkaruiphotoJune 2, 2011 at 4:54 AM

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

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  11. tusenJune 2, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    Beautiful mirror!

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  12. FrankJune 2, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    Great sharpness, the reflections on the water looks awesome.

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  13. brattcatJune 2, 2011 at 7:35 AM

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

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  14. Traveling HawkJune 2, 2011 at 7:52 AM

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

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  15. ChristopherJune 2, 2011 at 8:33 AM

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

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  16. KathyJune 2, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Another masterpiece, Mr. Doug!

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  17. LúciaJune 2, 2011 at 9:15 AM

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

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  18. RandyJune 2, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    This has a wonderful dream quality. Great shot.

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  19. HarryJune 2, 2011 at 10:21 AM

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

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  20. FriedaJune 2, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Simply amazing!

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  21. A.BarlowJune 2, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    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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  22. RobJune 2, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Awesome colors! the water appears like glass.

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  23. AstridJune 2, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    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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  24. RobJune 2, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    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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  25. OlegJune 2, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Golden hour, golden photograph, Doug!!!

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  26. OKJune 2, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    and great blues, too. lovely reflection.

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  27. AnonymousJune 2, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Well done Doug!

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  28. georgeJune 2, 2011 at 5:17 PM

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

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  29. UnknownJune 2, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Perfect reflection and fantastic color :-)

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  30. London CallerJune 2, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    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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  31. NR | ExPla.netJune 2, 2011 at 11:15 PM

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

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  32. GinnieJune 3, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Totally awesome, Doug!!!

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  33. MarieJune 3, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    magnifique atmosphère dasn cette photo bleue.

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  34. Andrew Graeme GouldJune 3, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Such beautiful detail and striking tones.

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  35. MartinajJune 7, 2011 at 7:52 AM

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

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