The Golden Hour – Why Is It A Photographer’s Best Friend?

The Golden Hour is a term used by photographers to describe the first and last hour of daylight, when the sun is low on the horizon. During this time, the sun’s light is softer and warmer, creating a beautiful, natural glow that can enhance the colours and details of your photos.

When the sun is high in the sky, the result is harsh, direct sunlight that can create strong shadows and high contrast. 

During the Golden Hour, however, the sun is closer to the horizon and its light has to travel through less of the atmosphere. This results in a softer, more diffuse light that is warmer in colour and less intense. The light also tends to be more directional, creating long shadows and emphasizing the shape and form of the subject. 

In addition to the angle of the sun, the effect of the Golden Hour is also influenced by atmospheric conditions. On a clear day, the light is more intense, and the colours are more vibrant. On a hazy day, the light is softer, and the colours are more muted.

One of the main benefits of shooting during the Golden Hour is the longer shadows, which can add depth and dimension to your photos. This can be especially effective for landscape and architectural photography, as the shadows can help to emphasize the shape, size, and form of the subject. 

Another benefit of shooting during the Golden Hour is that the warm light can add a sense of warmth and intimacy to your photos. This can be especially effective for portrait photography, as the soft light can be used to create a flattering, natural-looking skin tone. 
 
Additionally, shooting during the Golden Hour can help to minimize the harsh shadows and reflections that can be caused by shooting in direct sunlight. 

The Golden Hour can also be an ideal time to photograph wildlife, as the low light can help to reduce the chances of spooking the animals you are trying to photograph. 

To take advantage of the Golden Hour, it’s important to pay attention to the timing of the light. This will vary depending on your location, but you can generally expect the Golden Hour to occur around sunset and sunrise. It’s also a good idea to plan your shoot in advance, and you need to be in the right place at the right time as you’ll only have an hour to get all your photos taken. 

There are some helpful tools which can let you know when the Golden Hour is going to occur each day. I often use the Sun Today Golden Hour Calculator which automatically updates the times based on your location. There are also smartphone apps like Magic Hour for iOS and Golden Hour: Photography Time for Android. 

In conclusion, the Golden Hour is a magical time for photography, when the light is soft, warm, and perfect for capturing beautiful and natural images. By planning your shoot in advance and paying attention to the timing of the light, you can take advantage of the Golden Hour to take better photos.