Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun sits low and its light turns soft, warm, and directional. Use it by placing your subject deliberately relative to the light, exposing for the highlights, and working quickly because it changes by the minute.
Safety note: never look at the sun through a camera, viewfinder, or lens. Even a brief look can damage your eyes.
When It Happens
The exact timing depends on your latitude and the season. In general it lasts from a short while to about an hour near each end of the day, and it stretches longer when you are farther from the equator. A weather or sun-tracking calendar gives the times for your location, so check it a day ahead and arrive early.
Three Ways to Place Your Subject
- Front light: the sun behind you gives even, warm color on faces with little shadow.
- Side light: the sun to one side reveals texture and shape, which suits landscapes and portraits with depth.
- Backlight: the sun behind the subject creates a glowing edge around hair and foliage. Add a reflector or a touch of exposure compensation so the front is not too dark.
Settings to Try
- Shoot in raw if your camera allows it, as it keeps more detail in bright skies.
- Use aperture priority or manual mode and watch the histogram so highlights are not clipped.
- Under-expose slightly for dramatic skies, or raise exposure for backlit faces.
- Keep white balance on daylight or cloudy if you want to preserve the warm tone; automatic white balance can neutralize it.
- Use a lens hood to limit flare, or embrace flare on purpose by moving slightly until it looks pleasing.
Making the Most of the Time
Settle on your location and composition before the light peaks. Light changes quickly, so work through your planned frames in order, then explore. Keep shooting after the sun drops below the horizon, since the sky often glows for several more minutes.
If you are working with people, give them a moment to settle before you shoot. Warm low light is flattering, but squinting is not, so have them face away from the brightest direction or turn their head slightly. For landscapes, look for a foreground element such as a rock, fence, or flower to catch the glow and lead the eye into the scene. Always protect your eyes: never look at the sun through a camera, lens, or any other optical device.
FAQ
Does golden hour only work at sunset?
No. Sunrise offers the same quality of light, often with fewer people and calmer air.
What if the sky is cloudy?
Clouds can diffuse or block the warm light, but breaks in cloud sometimes bring dramatic rays. Stay patient and be ready.
The Short Version
Arrive early, choose your light direction, protect highlights, and keep your white balance from cooling the glow. Above all, never point a camera or lens directly at the sun and look through it.