The Blue Hour
Evanston Beach
All you have to do is be there with your camera gear and wait for the Blue Hour. Simple formula for dynamic landscapes!
Actually, I had an hour and a half in the early evening and went exploring for photo sites along the beach while I was in Evanston. I pulled up to the curb along the shore of the Evanston Beach, just south of Northwestern University, as I have countless times. I sat in the car, looking out the window for several minutes, talking myself in and out of getting out of the car. I’ve been there so many times. I felt like I wanted something more dynamic than just “another beach photo.” Eventually, I got out and grabbed my camera with one lens (85mm) and tripod and started walking up to the water. As luck would have it, the sky exploded into a vivid, rich blue…it was The Blue Hour. Here’s the description from Wikipedia:
“The blue hour (from French l’heure bleue) is the period of twilight early in the dawn each morning and late in the dusk each evening when the sun is at a significant distance below the horizon and the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue hue.” We’ve all seen it, but may not have known the term. Landscape photographers know this, for sure!
Actually, the first picture I saw was this one (above) with the couple taking a selfie. I got so excited about the “scene” in front of my eyes that I didn’t even get a chance to pull out all the legs of my tripod! Instead, I just loosened one leg and ended up using the tripod as a monopod to stabilize the photo since it was pretty dark and I was using a very slow shutter speed. I actually did do some creative processing with this photo…can you tell what? More on that later.
After taking the photo of the couple, I walked out on the pier (see the background of the selfie photo) and hung out with other people out there who were marveling at “the show.” Pretty spectacular, actually! But the dog preferred to not watch and, instead, cuddled between his master’s legs.
Eventually, the people and the dog left. It was getting cold and more windy, and the tide had started moving in a bit, making the waves wash up along the pier. I took some photos with a slow shutter speed and the camera on the tripod. I just tried to wait for a dramatic moment.
Then, I moved into a new location and started to photograph another location (two photos above). I tried to catch the specific moment of the waves crashing. By this time it was darker and I was using an even slower shutter speed! Close to one second exposures. That helps give the water a creamy appearance and a sense of motion
At this point, I looked at my watch and realized I had better be quick to get back to pick up Judy…I had been out there at least an hour and had hardly noticed the time had gone by so quickly.
As long as we were in Evanston, we decided to stop, before heading home, and have a fantastic dinner at Dave’s New Kitchen and see our friends there, Dave and Ellen Glatt. Check it out!
Oh yeah…did you figure out what I changed in the photo of the couple taking the selfie? I noticed that two of the street lights were turned on, but the one closest to me and them was not. So, I turned it on, so to speak, so it wouldn’t stand out. No, I didn’t “Photoshop it!” (That’s a misused term, anyways!) Using Lightroom (an excellent photography cataloging and editing software), I “painted” the glass fixture and applied a warming tint to the specific area to make the lamp appear to be lit. .
Keep your eyes open for the Blue Hour!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Stephen M. Levin
www.SML-Photos.com
Facebook – @stephenmlevinphotography
Twitter – @stephen_levin
Instagram – sml_photo
stephen@sml-photos.com
Yes, Light is our language and smart photographers like yourself understand the blue hour. The quality of light can be exceptional during the blue hour to enhance our images.
Your images reflect that creativity.
Yes! Sometimes it’s the magic ingredient that can make a mundane image really pop! Same for Golden Hour, too!
Thanks for noticing and commenting, Stan.
Thanks for making spectacle of the quotidian.
Yes…I try! That’s part of the challenge.
Thx, Sonny.
Beautiful blue hour! Again beautiful shots! How was dinner ??
Glad you like them, Debbie! The sky put on a beautiful show that night!
Dinner was great. We like it at Dave’s very much…and Dave and Ellen are both friends from grammar school and beyond. That makes it taste extra special!
You are special behind the camera!! I love these!
So nice of you! Thanks.
I couldn’t believe how that sky glowed. I like the photos, too. I made the first one a wallpaper for my computer!
Love to see what you discover on your walkabouts when you drop me at a book club and meet me afterwards. You know how much I adore this “blue hour” when we are driving, walking, getting in/out of the car or other place. These clouds and water reflections deserve a framing and hanging on our walls.
Hey! Good idea…but what wall??
And, you know I also love to see what I discover when I go to these places while you’re at one of your book groups. Thanks for taking me along!
Beautiful photos! I especially love the first one.
Thanks, Judith. Glad you like them!
I really enjoy your photographs. You have a real talent.
I’m glad you enjoy the photographs. I truly enjoy taking them! So, it’s nice to hear.
Thanks much, Susanne!
I love what you do with beaches. You always give me a new & uplifting perspective on one of my favorite places. Thank you for that and for the plug!
Always good to get a reaction from people! Another special motivation for me.
The plug is certainly well deserved. You work hard and it shows.
(Dave is of “Dave’s New Kitchen” in Evanston…worth a visit. Plug #2! ha Hi to Ellen, too!)
Breathtaking photos and as always a great blog!!
Glad you enjoy it, Bob. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I was not aware of the Blue Hour and I’m certain I would never see the beauty that you captured. The first picture is a “watercolor” Love the twig of life emerging from the rock. Then the waves……frozen and powerful. Magnifique L’heure Bleue Monsieur Levin!!!!
Thanks, Nan!
It’s funny how a little thing like that twig can sometimes add so much to the composition. Glad you noticed! (I try to find things like that when I can.)
Glad this post introduced you to the concept of the Blue Hour. Now you may want to keep your eyes open for it. Instant atmosphere!
Amazes me what your eye sees and then I get to see it, too!
That’s such a nice sentiment to hear, Eileen. Thanks!
I really like this series – twilight of dawn and dusk is familiar to me as a Norwegain since our dawn and dusk periods are quiet long. After 35 years in this country I still miss it.
beautiful to see lake Michigan from this side of the lake. I usually watch the sunset or dusk from the other side of the lake. you inspire me to go downtown and watch it from the Chicago side. Thank you!
Hmmm…now you’e making me want to go visit Norway! (Actually, it’s been on my “list” for a long time.)
We are lucky to have proximity to this beautiful asset. And the views are amazing from all directions (and times of day). What a treat!
Thanks, Berit.
You are a genius photographer. WOW.
That’s very flattering, Pam! Thx. But, I’m just trying to have some enjoyment and express myself with the photography experience.
So glad to see you visit the site!