Getting a great golden hour shot is all about angles and positioning. Having everything in place beforehand will give you that extra time you need to take several shots. When golden hour does arrive, don't beat around the bush. You can even walk around the area to see if you notice any prime angles or shooting spots. set up your tripod and reflector before the opportune time. Instead, arrive at least an hour before sunset, and make sure you have all your equipment with you. After all, you only have an hour or so, and you don't want to be rushing the whole time.
While golden hour lighting is an exceptionally easy time to shoot, that doesn't mean you shouldn't watch your timing. To help you achieve a stunning shot before time runs out, here are 15 of the best tips for shooting during golden hour. 15 Best Golden Hour Photography TipsĪfter learning what is golden hour and what you’ll need for your golden hour photoshoot, we both know you don’t want to waste your small window of time. Most importantly, you'll arrive at your shooting location knowing your gear is safe and organized. You'll even have side access to a quick-draw side pocket if you find that perfect position and want to shoot as fast as possible. It's lightweight, spacious, and even weatherproof. Not only will your equipment stay safe, but you'll also have easy access to everything you need. You'll be far more organized if you use a quality camera bag. You can even bring a gold shiny reflector to enhance golden hour’s natural hue.
GOLDEN HOUR TIME TODAY PORTABLE
Getting the perfect golden hour shot requires a lot of repositioning too, so pack batteries, a portable charger, and extra memory cards.Īlso, remember that you’re still shooting with the sun, and sunlight can be harsh on camera. You’ll only have a small window of time to shoot during golden hour, so make sure you're prepared. All you have to do is plan ahead, and maybe increase the volume on your morning alarm clock. Knowing all that, it's easy to see why golden hour lighting can be so magical. It's Directional: The position of the sun also allows you to get great side lit or backlit shots.This creates a soft light that's great for framing people in portraits. It's Soft: Have you ever noticed that it takes a while to get dark after a sunset? When the sun goes down, the transition from light to dark is slow and gradual.Think of the warmth that radiates from a burning fireplace. It's Warm: when the sun is low in the sky, it creates a natural orange glow.Here are some of the best aspects of golden hour in detail: This is what makes golden hour so special, as that lighting is much easier to shoot than the harsh light of a midday sun. The lighting is like this because of the sun's lower position in the sky. Once you're at a golden hour shoot, you'll notice the soft, warm, directional light. Or, If you want a more exact time, try using a golden hour calculator app like The Photographer’s Ephemeris, or Helios Golden Hour (for iOS). You can use a weather app to know when the sun will rise or set.
If you're unsure of what time is golden hour in your location, try using some helpful apps. During this time you can capture beautiful silhouettes, soft lighting, and amazing backlit shots.Įssentially, golden hour is the goldilocks time for outdoor lighting in photography. If you’re wondering when is golden hour, it encompasses roughly one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset.
GOLDEN HOUR TIME TODAY HOW TO
In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about golden hour photography and how to make it work for you. We know that all it takes is a splash of beautiful light to bring out the magic in your shot and that’s why photographers love golden hour so much.īut capturing that perfect golden hue isn't always easy, especially if you’re still trying to figure out what is golden hour. Have you been wondering when is golden hour? You’re not alone.