The golden hour is a magical time of day for photography, characterized by warm, soft light that can transform even the most mundane scenes into stunning works of art. Hourly, it occurs twice a day and is very popular with photographers for its dreamy, fantastical nature.
If you are planning a golden hour photo shoot, here are some things to keep in mind to get the most out of your photos and capture the beauty of this special time. Learn important tips and tricks to get the most out of your session.
This article covers:
- Move fast to maximize your shots
- Plan the position of the sun using the sunseeker
- capture the flare
- Discover magical trees and fields
- Maximize the dynamic range of sunsets
- Find foreground element
- Consider using direct light
- Consider using Flash (if it fits your style)
All images are wedding photographer wedding map.
Move fast to maximize your shots
The golden hour is fleeting and the light changes every moment. Move quickly to capture as many shots as possible without sacrificing quality or attention to detail. Research the location in advance and plan to maximize your time. Don’t waste time moving locations or setting up equipment unless absolutely necessary. Instead, focus your time on getting different angles, poses, and perspectives to create different shots and create a diverse collection of images.
Photo by Zach Bradley (website) and San Souci Farm in Sumter, SC USA
Photo by Lynn and Jirsa (website)
Plan the position of the sun using the sunseeker
Knowing the position of the sun is important for golden hour photography. Sunseeker is an app that allows you to pinpoint the exact position of the sun at any time, making it easier to plan your shots and compositions. You can use this to predict when golden hour will start and end, and plan and set your locations accordingly.
Note that sunset times listed in weather forecast apps may differ from the actual time the sun sets below the horizon in certain locations, especially if there are mountains, hills, or buildings in the way. please.
Photo by Wild Oath (website | | Wedding map profile) and Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Arizona, USA
capture the flare
Golden Hour Light creates beautiful lens flares and adds an interesting element to your photos. To capture flares, position your camera facing the sun and try different angles and apertures to create different types of flares. Check out some examples of solar flare photos during golden hour photography.
Photo by Belinda Fileo (website) and Crystal Cove orange county, california
Photo by JCM Photo (website) and Pisgah National Forest in Canton, North Carolina, USA
Photo by Laurentiu Nika (website | | Wedding map profile) Un Colt de Rai, Dorj County, Romania
strong flare
Flare can be subtle, like the image above, or it can be noticeable and dominate the composition, like the image below.
Photo by Michael Fries (website) and Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West, Florida
orange cast
Flare also helps create a strong orange cast over the image, creating a moody feel to the image.
Photo by Radman Studios (website) and Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut
Photo by Kibbs and camera (website) and Melrose Knitting Mill in Raleigh, North Carolina
Photo by Jay Casalio (website) and Hotel Republic San Diego, California
Discover magical trees and fields
The warm, golden rays of the sun shining through trees and fields create a fairy-tale, magical atmosphere in your photos. Find an area with lots of leaves and grass, and position your subject in front of the light to create a natural, dreamy glow. See the Golden Hour example with trees and fields below.
Photo by Andy Cedars Photography (website) and Fanham’s Hall in Hertfordshire, England
Photo by Danieleka at Picturist Photography (website) at a private residence in Santa Cruz, California.
Photo by Fits and Stops Photography (website | | Wedding map profile) and UC Davis Arboretum in Davis, California, USA
Take wide-angle photos during golden hour
During the golden hour, natural light casts a beautiful glow not only on the subject, but also on the entire scene. A wide-angle lens allows you to capture a wider view of the scene, creating a sense of depth and scale. A soft light hits all elements of the scene, so choosing a wide-angle view can create beautiful environment portraits like the one shown below.
Photo by Larsen Photo Co (website) Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado
Photo by Andreas Pollock (website) and Schloss Assumstadt in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Photo by Ether Photography Studios (website | | Wedding map profile) and death valley in California
Photo courtesy of Holding and Co (website) and Serendipity Garden Wedding in Oak Glen, California
Maximize the dynamic range of the sunset
Sunsets are particularly beautiful during golden hour, but can be difficult to capture accurately. To get the most out of your sunset shots, maximize your camera’s dynamic range (the range of light levels from the brightest to the darkest parts of the image). Understand your camera’s dynamic range performance and use histograms to avoid clipping shadows and blowing out highlights. The result will be amazing and you will be able to capture the beautiful sunset colors.
Photo by 4 Eyes Photography (website) and Moraine Lake Banff, Alberta, Canada
Photo by Franck Balzan (website) Golden Bay, Mellieha, Malta
Photo courtesy of Tove Lundquist (website) and Oreum 119 in Rederp Sweden
Find foreground element
Foreground elements can add depth and interest to your golden hour shots. Look for foreground objects such as rocks, flowers, buildings, trees, leaves, and wedding veils to position your subject in an interesting way for your photo.
Photo by Joanna and Brett (website) Tucson Desert, Tucson, Arizona
Photo by Stephanie Ciotti (website) and Deer Creek Ridge Malibu, California
Photo by Jessie and Darin (website) and tunnel spring in Utah
Photo by BridgetQ Photos (website) and Mount Wochusett Princeton, Massachusetts
Consider using direct light
Most golden hour portraits are backlit. However, golden hour direct light can also create interesting and beautiful lighting for portraits. See example below.
Photo by Christopher S Studio (website) at Briarcliff Manor, New York
Photo by Roddy Chong (website) and Rays Boathouse Seattle, Washington, USA
Consider using flash (if it fits your style)
If your style includes flash photography, consider using it for golden hour to add fill light or create a more dramatic effect. Flash allows you to illuminate your subject while properly exposing the background. Combined with a dramatic sunset and clouds, it gives great results.
Photo by Razat Photography (website) and Tavares Pavilion tavares, florida
Photo by Bright Light Studios (website) and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey
Capture silhouettes and moody images in golden hour
Instead of exposing your subject or using a flash to add light, consider darkening your subject as a silhouette or nearby silhouette. Silhouettes have the power to create a sense of mystery and mood in a portrait. By obscuring the details of the subject’s features and instead focusing on the contours, silhouettes can convey a sense of anonymity and intrigue. This is especially effective for creating moody or dramatic moods in your photos. Also, the absence of facial features allows the viewer to focus on the overall composition, the subject’s pose, and her body language, which can powerfully convey emotions and ideas.
Photo by Andreas Pollock (website) and hoare dursberg in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Photo by Luzye Photos (website) and San Clemente PierCalifornia
Photo by Stephen Walker (website) in Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Photo by Roque Lu (website) and MT Rainier in Seattle, Washington
Create your own Golden Hour if you want
You can also use flash and orange gel to create a fake golden hour. This technique is especially useful on cloudy days and in indoor scenes. See example below.
Photo by Jason Vinson (website) and Saint Catherine of Belgable Fayetteville Arkansas
Golden Hour Photo Shoot Examples and Inspiration
Now that we’ve given you some tips, here are some prime-time photoshoot examples to inspire your creativity.
Photo by Irina Duane (website) Bummahon Beach, Bummahon, Ireland
Photo by Natasha Ramal (website) and Meridian Hill Park in Washington DC
Photo by Christina Corbett (website) Mineral Ridge Scenic Area, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
Photograph by 1836 Photographer (website) and Paniolo Ranch in Bern, Texas
Photo by Andy Madea Photo (website) and boyden farm barn in Cambridge, Vermont
Photo by Gretchen Troop (website) and Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado
Photo by Steven Sedman (website | | Wedding map profile) Scituate Country Club, Scituate, Massachusetts
Photo by Christine Cheatwood (website) and cloverleaf farm Athens, Georgia
Photo by Afonso Godinho (website) Porto Portugal
Photo by Thien Tong (website) InterContinental Phu Quoc – Long Beach, Vietnam
Photo courtesy of Party of Two (website) and Hawk’s Den Andrews, North Carolina
Conclusion
Golden hour is a beautiful and magical time to take pictures. By following these tips and tricks, you can get the most out of your golden hour photography and get great photos that showcase the natural beauty and warm, soft light of this special time. , plan shots around the position of the sun, capture flares, find trees and fields, maximize the dynamic range of sunsets, find foreground elements, and consider using direct lighting. And don’t forget to consider using flash if it fits your style. Use these tips to create beautiful and memorable photos that capture the essence of golden hour.
