Marissa Elman | Fashion & Photography

Marissa Elman is a lifelong lover of fashion and photography.

What Is The Best Time of Day to Take Pictures?

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The ideal time to take pictures varies for each individual because aesthetic taste differs from person to person. Apart from artistic taste, it also depends on the photographer’s artistic preference and any significance they wish to convey through lighting effects. While cloudy skies may have a melancholic effect on some, cloudy weather may bring back long cherished jocund childhood memories for others. This subjective view can influence both the photographer’s preference and the viewer’s interpretation.

 

An objective view, however, considers the photogenic significance of a particular hour of the day to determine what could be the best time of the day to take pictures. For instance, some believe that “Golden Hour,” which occurs at sunrise or sunset, is better suited to take pictures while others favor “Blue Hour,” which occurs a little after dawn before the sun is fully visible on the horizon.

 

Advocates of Golden Hour consider it best to take pictures in the golden glow of early morning and sunset when the landscapes are suffused with warm radiant colors. Obviously, the radiant sunlight makes it an ideal time to take pictures, but some of its drawbacks make people consider other options. For example, during Golden Hour, light changes swiftly and constantly which often leaves a speculative artistic mind disconcerted. Because of its short duration, the better your time management in Golden Hour, the better the shot.

 

Alternatively, Blue Hour is a favorite with many people when the colors are permeated with extra blue hue. Contrary to the bright colors of the Golden Hour, the light at this hour is relatively softer. As the light from the sun falls indirectly on the subject, this time is best suited to make some natural objects in a landscape striking and others shadowed. If you choose this hour, be assured that this is the best time to capture natural beauty but be warned that its duration is even shorter than the Golden Hour.

 

Shooting pictures during the daytime mostly needs tricky manipulation of daylight and shadows to produce the best photographic effects. Shooting on a cloudy day or in the shadow of a building will let you have even light to capture a perfect shot of your subject’s features. On the contrary, taking pictures in the broad daylight may disappoint you by creating unwanted shadows of prominent features like nose, ears, or even eyes. There are many factors that play into the best time of day for your purposes, so considering all options and making an appropriate choice can help improve your photography!

What NOT to Wear to the Office This Summer

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What not to wear to the office this summer - Marissa Elman

Whether you’re absolutely tired of the heat or not, you can’t exactly throw on your jean shorts and hit the office. One thing is for sure, whoever invented air conditioning is both a genius and a hero. Hopefully, your office has it, but, you still have to wade through the inaugural heat wave to get there. With all the how to’s out there we thought this subject deserved the reverse with what NOT to do. So, here is what NOT to wear to the office during the summer.

 

  1. Do NOT wear shorts

Shorts don’t even fit the bill for business casual, let alone full business attire. Maybe you work for an office that has casual Friday’s and you can ask your boss about wearing shorts then? But for the most part, it’s just inappropriate. We know, it’s hot, you’ve probably got a nice summer glow going on those lovely legs of yours, but you still can’t wear shorts to the office!

 

  1. Do NOT wear sunglasses indoors

It isn’t cool and is it absolutely NOT ok in the office. Keep your shades outdoors for when you actually need shade, not indoors. We all know there is no reason for you to use them inside. You’ve got about a 2- minute window to get them off and into your bag before the people will notice. Get to it!

 

  1. DON’T be a shoobie

If you are unfamiliar with what a shoobie is, it is a person who wears socks with sandals, kind of pulling off the combined style of a tourist/surfer- aka NOT ok for the office. Stick to your regular close-toed shoes or, if you’re a woman, you might get lucky with some open-toed heels.

 

  1. Do NOT wear ripped clothing

Ripped jeans, ripped t-shirts, ripped jackets, anything ripped- don’t do it! It is unprofessional and should be saved for out-of-office activities.

 

  1. Do NOT wear yoga pants, crop tops, or tank tops

We know, we know, yoga pants are so comfortable! You still can’t wear them to the office. Same goes for trendy tank tops and crop tops. If you can wear it to the gym, you shouldn’t be wearing it to the office, plain and simple.

 

Whatever you do, use this list as a guide when planning your outfit for the office during the summer months!