The Problem With Waiting For Perfect Light
These photos were taken in the mid-afternoon on a cloudy day, not exactly the type of light I prefer but I leaned into the softness and gentle light
Light is like our paintbrush as photographers. We use it just like an artist, sculpting and shaping our scenes. There’s something truly enchanting about golden light, the kind that feels like warm honey, with tones so rich they remind you of amber. This light is a dream, no matter what genre of photography you’re into. We’ve all been there, waiting for the sun to dip low on the horizon, casting its golden glow over the landscape. But consider this thought, if you will. If you’re always waiting for that perfect golden hour, you might be missing out on so much more. There are countless other expressions of light, so many different shades and subtleties just waiting to be explored. We have twelve hours in a day (depending on where you live, of course), and if you’re only holding out for that one fleeting moment of “ideal” light, you’re missing out on so many other opportunities.
The issue with constantly chasing perfect light is that you start to overlook all the stunning variations it can take—its shifting hues, soft edges, harsh contrasts, and the way it dances in dappled patterns. When you embrace shooting in all kinds of light, you become a more versatile and adaptable photographer. You start to see interest, stories, and beauty in the most unexpected places. You start to see nuances in how it shifts and reveals. And let’s be honest, waiting for the perfect light isn’t always practical. Maybe you’re on holiday, traveling, and may never return to this location ever again. Maybe you’ve hiked for hours just to set up at the expansive vista at the summit. Maybe this is your only chance. In those moments, you have to work with what you’ve got—or risk missing out on the creative opportunities right in front of you. That doesn’t mean golden hour isn’t glorious and an absolute dream to shoot in—it absolutely is! But I think it’s not the only light that deserves our attention. There’s so much to uncover in the natural light that surrounds us throughout the day: from the drama of midday sun to the soft, cool blues of an overcast sky. From dappled shadows to the gentle glow that follows an unexpected rain shower. Will I wait ten minutes for perfect light if I think a cloud might pass? Absolutely. But if I’m traveling and spot a compelling composition, even if the light isn’t perfect, I’ll still take the shot. I might not love the outcome, but I won’t let it slip away just because the light isn’t ideal. If I have the luxury of a few extra minutes, I’ll wait to see if the light shifts or the sky opens up, a small pause that can create the shot. I fully recognize it’s not always easy to do when you're traveling with someone or in a group. Bless the patient ones who wait for you! If it doesn’t happen, I don’t dwell on it. I let it go, knowing it’s beyond my control. I surrender to the light and the moment, trusting that if the shot wasn’t meant to be, that too is just part of the process. Doens’t make it any less disappointing, I know!
Because here’s the truth: perfect light is subjective. We each respond to different qualities of light. Some are drawn to the soft, golden glow, while others gravitate toward the boldness of midday sun, with its sharp contrasts, deep shadows, and brilliant highlights. And no matter how much we plan, we can’t control it (if we don’t have any lighting accessories with us, 99.9% of the time I don’t!) Most of the time, it comes down to a mix of preparation and being in the right place at the right time. It’s widely accepted in the photography world that golden hour’s soft, warm glow is the ideal time to shoot. And while it’s undeniably flattering and soft, suited for most genres of photography, the best light really depends on the story you’re trying to tell. There’s beauty to be found in all kinds of light, even at noon or in hazy light.
Another factor to consider
There is another factor to consider, too. Those breathtaking National Geographic images, the ones that look like once-in-a-lifetime shots, are often the result of just that: luck. Luck to be in the right place at the right time. Luck that the settings were right. Luck that the moment was witnessed. Sheer luck sometimes is the one key ingredient we often neglect to acknowledge in those jaw-dropping, epic, awe-inspiring photographs with amazing light!
But I don’t want to rely only on luck. I want to stay open — to all of it. To all of the light, in all of its dimensions, hues, and intensities. I try to do my best to work with the light I have, adapting, adjusting, and flowing with the moment as it unfolds.
So I’ll leave you with this: yes, wait for that luminous, ethereal, golden light when you can. It’s a dream, but don’t dismiss all the other forms light takes. Learn to see them, practice in them, and get comfortable with light in all its moods and intensities. I think it will make you a stronger, more creative, and more resilient photographer. It invites you to notice beauty in places you once overlooked, and to find meaning and interest in moments you might have passed by.
This was harsh midday direct sun, but I couldn’t help but want to capture this wisteria framing the window.
A very soft, diffused light with a romantic, almost nostalgic quality that I’ve grown to love
A very bright white, hazy sky made everything soft with bright highlights. Not my preferred type of light but tried to find natural contrast in the composition to add dimension.