Shoot Exteriors - What Time Of Day?

Hi, all. I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this question in, but what the heck ...

 

I'm shooting the exteriors of a building for web use. The building is arranged in such a way that the sun comes up in the front and sets in the back.

 

Question is, would you all shoot in the early morning hours, to get some of the golden sunshine on the front of the building, or shoot in the early evening, to get the glow of the sun going down. If I did the latter, I figure I'd have to bring out some of the shadow details in post processing.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

It really depends on what you're trying to communicate and how you want the building to appear. Backlighting will provide a very different feel from that morning glow direct sun you're talking about. The morning will often offer a more subtle, softer feel while the backlighting will often be more dramatic. Now, that's just a general rule and a photographer can work with those lighting situations in more individual ways, depending on the composition, angle, exposure, etc.. It would help to know the kind of building you'll be shooting and the purpose for posting it on the web.

Fred, thanks. It's a high dollar retirement home. The photos will be used for promo purposes, mainly on the web but possibly in print as well.

For best results and choices, try both...at different times of the year.

I would shoot BOTH.

The lighting effect will be different, and you may not know what the final result will be until you look at it on the computer.

Also the client may like something different than what you like.

Gary and Sanford, good idea. I think I'll do that.

Sunset might be a little depressing for someone about to take up residence.

I think you would have a better idea of when to shoot if you discussed the image and concepts that the owners want to communicate to potential customers.