Ever since I listened to Craig Tanner’s excellent podcast (now defunct) talking about the various stages of twilight, I have had this graphic in my mind. I finally sat down one day and created the illustration in Photoshop. While Craig describes exactly why it is so beneficial to be at a location at these particular times, this puts the various stages in a visual form.

Defining the Three Twilight times of day

Personally, I like to be at a location at the start of nautical twilight, or at the latest 15 minutes prior to the start of civil twilight if I am already familiar with an area. The weather certainly plays a big part in this. If it is a clear night around Michigan, there isn’t a lot happening during nautical twilight. Civil twilight after a clear night can also be rather uneventful during warmer months but can have some very nice pastels during winter. However, if you throw some clouds in the sky, a storm overnight, or fog conditions, you can be in for a real treat by getting to a spot early.

Using the three twilights to plan your photography

These twilight zones aren’t only helpful for landscape photography, but can also help for planning macro photography, such as photographing dew-covered insects on a cold morning. After the sun comes up, your light starts to become harsher, and insects begin to warm up and move. Civil twilight can create a very soft light glow on many plants, flowers, and other subjects.

As Craig talks about in detail, I also absolutely hate to be rushed. Rushing is equivalent to creativity kryptonite for me. Getting to a spot early allows enough time to get your gear set up, perhaps walk around a bit, and get a feel for things without having to worry about shooting right away. If you aren’t very familiar with a spot and haven’t had a chance to do any prior scouting, then being there early can also help you plan a composition before the light gets exciting.

So I encourage any nature photographer to listen to the podcast linked above. The Radiant Vista is also now accepting donations, so please show these guys your appreciation for all the wonderful content they provide.

(Update: Radiant Vista is no more sadly – but I enjoyed it while it lasted)