While the golden hour is notoriously unpredictable, here are a few concrete steps you can take to make the most of it. If you live on the equator, it could come and go in a matter of minutes-the farther you travel to either pole (north or south), the longer your golden hour will be. As the sun reaches the horizon, the atmosphere filters out blue and violet light, leaving behind an orange glow.įor our purposes, the “golden hour” describes any portion of the day or night when the sun sits between four degrees below and six degrees above the horizon. The Golden Hour is a relatively short period of time that is roughly 60-minutes post-sunrise and 60-minutes pre-sunset. The golden hour varies based on your location, but it always happens shortly after sunrise and just before sunset-when the sun is low. Golden hour photographers wake up before dawn and stay out late into the night-all to capture a single moment of magical sunlight. ![]() In photography, the “golden hour” adds romance and mystery, but we often overlook the hard work that goes into creating a shot like this one. “All of a sudden, I see a tiny light on the river,” he remembered later. Golden hour is a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which daylight is really interesting for photography. Accompanying him was a local cormorant fisherman, who had journeyed through the night to watch the sunrise.Īfter much waiting and anticipation, Hägg wondered if the long trip was worth it-or if it had been in vain. For indoor photography, find a large window or bright open space and let the golden hour work its magic.A few months ago, Swedish photographer Tobias Hägg spent a midsummer morning on the banks of the Li River in China. You don’t have to limit yourself exclusively to working outside, either. Landscapes, cityscapes, still life–the golden hour can flatter any subject. Best of all, this time of evening provides a high dynamic range, which means you won’t lose any desired details to the aforementioned shadows and highlights. Soft light is almost always preferable for any subject you shoot, be it a building or person, as it doesn’t cast harsh shadows or overblown highlights. Shoot throughout the evening from all angles and vantage points, and don’t be afraid to experiment with where the light hits and illuminates on your subjects.ĭuring the evening golden hour, the sun is much larger and closer to your subject, producing a lovely diffused glow. Obviously, you don’t want to make any sloppy mistakes, but bear in mind how quickly the light will be changing. Try to keep shooting steadily while you have the best evening lighting, with minimal stopping and starting. If you have a particular location in mind, such as a building or garden, arrive a little ahead of time to scope out the scene and get your gear in order. That magic hour of evening tends to arrive suddenly, with the light shifting by the minute, so try to be prepared. If you don’t typically shoot using a wide aperture, the golden hour is an excellent time to experiment with stunning bokeh effects. Rim lighting, backlighting, side lighting, silhouettes, sunbursts, and lens flares are all at your disposal during the golden hour. Start by setting the ISO low, with a long exposure.Īuto white balance isn’t your best bet when shooting during the golden hour so adjust to “cloudy,” to avoid neutralizing the warm natural light. During the golden hour, the sun is at a low angle in the sky, creating longer shadows and flattering lighting situations you can use for more creative effects. It’s recommended to invest in a camera with interchangeable lenses or close-up and user-adjustable settings, along with a sturdy tripod. Whether you’re a photography pro or amateur enthusiast, a few simple tips and reminders will dramatically boost your evening shots. ![]() The golden hour, referred to here in terms of the evening, is ideal for architectural and landscape photography, as well as outdoor portraits, close-up shots of flora & fauna, and various types of still life portraiture. Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey are each worthy stops on any Highway 1 road trip. During these times the sun casts a soft, diffused light which produces minimal contrast, lessening the chances of draping your subject in harsh shadows or overblown highlights. ![]() The golden hour, also called the “magic hour”, is roughly the hour or so before and after sunrise, though the exact duration varies according to region. With evenings lasting well past 8pm, now is the perfect time to make the most of your interior and outdoor photography. With outdoor photography, it’s generally harder to use artificial lighting to illuminate your subject matter, making you more or less reliant on natural light. Late summer is truly the season of the “golden hour,” when buildings and exteriors are bathed in a warm pre-dusk glow. Making the Most of the Summer “Golden Hour”
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