Critiquing your own image feels a little strange, but let’s delve into why this image by me – Lisa Devlin – resonates, especially from a technical and creative perspective.

First, let’s get into what causes Blue Hour.

Blue hour occurs after sunset and before sunrise, in that twilight window when the Sun is below the horizon, and the sky takes on deep, rich blue tones. This effect is caused by the scattering of shorter blue wavelengths of light in the atmosphere, which dominate due to the absence of direct sunlight. During this period, the Sun is between 4 to 8 degrees below the horizon, allowing blue light to scatter through the atmosphere while the longer red wavelengths dissipate. The unique quality of light during blue hour can lend an almost dreamlike quality to photographs, ideal for capturing moodier, ethereal scenes.

This image exemplifies the power of subtle, atmospheric lighting, using the blue hour’s naturally muted tones to bring out a tranquil, almost mystical quality. By positioning the model’s arms to frame the setting or rising moon, the composition becomes symbolic, evoking a sense of balance and harmony.

This time of day allows for a smooth, almost painterly transition in the sky’s colours, which contrasts beautifully with the warm tones of the figure. The texture of the water in the background and the soft falloff of light across the subject add depth without overpowering the central concept.

The creative decision to embrace the blue hour moves beyond standard golden hour shots and demonstrates how to use the natural progression of light to craft a different mood. It’s something a little bit out of the ordinary for a bridal image and I guess that is why it resonated with other photographers.

Overall, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric and conceptually strong image that speaks to the magic that can emerge after the sun dips below the horizon.

Some shoots carry their own magic, and this was definitely one of those. I’m so grateful my peers nominated one of the images for Image of the Week. It doesn’t happen very often, so receiving that recognition was a lovely surprise. I’ve even had messages from other photographers saying they’ve been inspired to try their own Blue Hour shoots, which feels like that magic is being passed on.