Daytime Photography Inspiration

Sometimes We Need A Sleep In!

There was quite a long period that I shied away from photographing during the day - it was all about chasing those sunrise colours.

When I’m at home it’s all good to go out for sunrise, then come home and go about your daily stuff. But, when you’re away, things can be very different -

• You can be looking for things to do

• You can be limited by time so can’t get to every location in great light

• You just needed a sleep in, cause it is a holiday after all

My Top 5 Go To’s For Shooting Throughout The Day

1. Up Close And Personal

2. Go Exploring

3. Check Out What's On

4. Research Local Attractions

5. Get Creative With Some Long Exposures

Getting Up Close And Personal

This can be done almost anywhere - think flowers, textures, people (if that’s your thing) and even birds/insects.

You can spend so much time trying to catch these little fella's

Look for patterns - these are textures in the sand - endless opportunities

There are lots of different techniques for photographing the ocean that can be done at any time of day. Playing with your shutter speed and using camera movement can create some really interesting results.

2. Go Exploring

I love to just get in the car and go for a drive around the area - you really don’t know what hidden gems you might find. I recently did an overnight trip to specifically photograph old buildings and trees and it truly was an adventure going down unknown roads not knowing what you're going to find.

Another way of exploring is to walk around the town/area you're in or even do some bushwalks with your camera. There is always something interesting to photograph if you look close enough - and this is a great way to get out of a photography rut if you're lacking inspiration or feeling bored doing the same type of photography.

Fun With Black & White In The City

Playing With Different Perspectives

Challenge Yourself To Shoot In Low Light - this was shot hand held leaning the camera on the railing to hold still

3. Check Out What's On Where You Are

This can be events or markets for some street photography etc. or think seasons like autumn and spring colours, winter for snow and fog, and summer for sunflowers for just a few examples.

Google can also be your friend here and don't forget Facebook - such brilliant resources!

I join lots of different facebook groups and stalk Instagram looking for inspiration - searching hashtags of the areas you're looking at visiting can really uncover some interesting locations.

Autumn show in the Blue Mountains

Summer Sunflowers

The sunflower photo above was found via Facebook - a farm in the Hunter Valley planted this little plot specifically to encourage visitors during the pandemic.

4. Local Attractions

Think zoos, botanical gardens, theme parks etc. One of my first stops to an area (even if I’ve been there before) is the visitor information centre. They are full of information (to state the obvious), and if you have a chat you can often pick up on something different and quirky you may not have known about.

Cheeky Fun At Mogo Zoo

These were both behind wire, but if you get up close and use a zoom lens you zoom right past the fence so you can't see it in the photos.

Shooting hand held can be quite liberating as using a tripod can limit your angles and perspectives - just be careful if you get down on the ground that you can get back up again lol.

It also brings it’s own challenges such as hand shake and trying to keep your angle level, so it keeps you on your toes (unless you’re lying down).

5. Get Creative With Some Long Exposures

This does involve using a tripod and filters in some cases to get maximum impact, and waterfalls are the best example of this. Waterfalls can be shot at any time of the day but usually best on overcast days and not in full sun.

Somersby Falls - this was shot at 8am, so still fairly early in the day but not stupid o'clock sunrise

This was a long exposure taken in the middle of the day using filters and a tripod

Let's Not Forget About Reflections!

Reflections are always popular with photographers, and can be great to catch during the day, particularly if there’s been a bit of rain about (think puddles).

One Of The Many Beautiful Gardens In Mount Wilson

Don't Underestimate Where You Live

It's so easy to discount where we live, and many of the ideas in this post can be applied to where you live, you might just have to look for it. It's easy to fill a day with photography in your local area, you may just have to do a bit of research, or be spontaneous and head out in the car to somewhere you haven't explored.

It may also give you a new appreciation of the area that you live in. I know that even though I live on the coast with many beaches, the hidden gems I've found in this area are truly special.

Not Exactly An Area Known For Photography - but a local find in the right conditions

Final Thought - get out during the day, you never know who you might meet!

This list is certainly not all the options available during the day, but I hope it has given you some inspiration to get out and about with your camera - don't leave home without it - you just never know when an opportunity may present itself, or it could push you to try something different.

Had to stop when we saw these cuties just wanting to say hello

The bonus of shooting during the day for me is that come 5 O'Clock, I've had a busy day and can enjoy a well-earned wine!

Cheers!

That’s It For Now

I'd love to hear your ideas on what I've missed - you could give me some inspiration!

Next up we visit some of the South Coast of NSW from a couple of trips I've done this year - from Kiama to Bermagui - just so so much to explore down there.

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