Isn't sunny winter daylight good light in the Northeast?

[New Daddy]

Now that I pay particular attention to both the quantity and quality of light, it occurred to me that daylight is not so harsh around here in the winter. It's really low lying even at noon, creating an atmosphere of late summer afternoon. It's not golden light yet, but it looks very soft.

I'm sure photographers must have noticed this, but how come I don't hear it mentioned that sunny daylight can be soft where the sun passes at a lower trajectory in the winter?

[Donald]

Rick

I'm sure it's been written and spoken about many, many times. A quick google about the quality of daylight in summer v winter will, I think, yield lots of responses.

What's happened is that you've started to see as a photographer and you have a greatly heightened awareness of light and how it behaves at different times of year. The most important thing is that you celebrate this insight you now have that is just completely lost on so many of our fellow travellers through life.

But what you've got to remember is that our friends in the southern hemisphere are having to suffer the deprivations of harsh light, warmth and glorious sunshine. I bet they're jealous!

[New Daddy]

Rick

I'm sure it's been written and spoken about many, many times. A quick google about the quality of daylight in summer v winter will, I think, yield lots of responses.

What's happened is that you've started to see as a photographer and you have a greatly heightened awareness of light and how it behaves at different times of year. The most important thing is that you celebrate this insight you now have that is just completely lost on so many of our fellow travellers through life.

But what you've got to remember is that our friends in the southern hemisphere are having to suffer the deprivations of harsh light, warmth and glorious sunshine. I bet they're jealous!

You're right. A quick google search yielded quite a number of results. Thanks!

[dje]

Rick

But what you've got to remember is that our friends in the southern hemisphere are having to suffer the deprivations of harsh light, warmth and glorious sunshine.

Yes it's tough. Not only that but in Qld at least, where we don't have daylight saving time, sunrise is currently around 4:45AM which makes for a very early start for sunrise shots.

Anyway, must go, off to the beach for a swim.

Dave

[Polar01]

Rick remember that the sun will be about 3 degrees lower on the 21th of December than it is now, after which is will climb higher each day. The sun can be as harsh or harsher when you get those clear cloudless blue skies of winter, what is notice really more is the so called golden hours at dawn and sunset as they are longer in duration than in the south to take advantage of that time.

Cheers:

Allan

[DanK]

Another advantage: much less of the haze and humidity that is often a problem in warm weather.

[Tringa]

Yes it is, Rick.

Even at the latitude here in London (about 50 N) the sun casts great shadows all day and sunrises don't need an early start.

Not that I don't like the summer(apart from the temperature); there is something special about sunrises in summer and enjoying sunlight well into the evening.

I count myself lucky to live where the is such a variation in day length.

Dave