Have you ever heard of Golden Hour Photography? If yes, then you have probably heard that the best way to capture the light during the golden hour is to take your photos in the evening.
One of the best things about taking great photographs is that they can be done anytime, anywhere. However, there are certain times of the day when the light is so good that it just grabs you, and you want to take a picture. One of the best times to take a picture is before or during the golden hour. However, have you ever wondered why this time had been dubbed the “Golden Hour”?
What time is the “Golden Hour”?
A golden hour is a unique event that occurs around sunrise and sunset. It is characterized by a short period of light—ideally, it should last from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.—with a pronounced golden quality that is especially beautiful when the light is reflected from or refracted by the sky. The golden hour is a light-filled, magical time where the world becomes magical. The challenge is that the golden hour is constantly moving. It could be earlier, later, or somewhere in between.
What Makes Golden Hour An Essential Time Among Photographers?
All photographers seek to create a unique, strong image, whether they are part of a studio or a freelance team, and not every image is created equally unless you go to an online course like Photography Academy. The issue arises: How can we capture the best image possible in a short period of time, usually before or after the natural golden hour?
We often talk about the “golden hour,” the period of time when the light is most flattering to the subject, but it’s important to not just point to the time of day. This golden hour gives photographers an incredibly beautiful time to shoot. It is often considered to be the ultimate time to shoot. The most important aspect of the golden hour is the surrounding light and the subject’s mood.
Also, one size does not fit all when it comes to photography. There are so many different ways to shoot a photo, and you should pick the way that works best for you. That said, if you want to capture the best image possible within your shooting time, you should shoot in low light and then shoot in the ideal conditions right after sunset or before sunrise.
Learn It Quick with These Golden Tips
The golden hour is the time between sunrise and sunset when golden light can be captured for a portrait. This is the time when our eyes adjust to the light, and colors become more brilliant. However, the golden hour is the most popular time for photography, and if you want to be successful with your art, you need to learn how to capture it quickly.
Here are the following tips to have successful golden hour photography:
- Make necessary plans for your golden shoot. When you photograph Golden Hour, the golden light is fleeting, so you need to be prepared for it. The best way to do this is to scout your location beforehand so that you can visualize your compositions and make sure that you’re shooting where it’s going to look the best.
- Use technology to catch the precious golden hour light. Did you know you can find out exactly where the sun will set at a given time through its location on the earth in real-time on Google Maps? Google Maps has a built-in feature that tells you where the sun will be at any given time and place. This is called sunset time.
- Shoot for more golden hour photos. One of the most beautiful times of the day is when the sun sets. The sky starts glowing with a golden hue, and the light from the sky reflects on the water. As the sky darkens, the reflections get stronger, and it becomes easier to capture the best shots – take lots of them. Why? This will make sure that you don’t miss the perfect timing for that jaw-dropping photos.
- Try taking some blue hour photos. Blue Hour is the time between the last sliver of sun and the first light of the morning sky, and when the sky is painted with a palette of blue and violet hues, it is a beautiful, magical moment that can’t be missed. There are some ways to capture this beautiful time that can be familiar to anyone, by using the sun’s natural light, a camera, or artificial lighting. One thing common fact is that at the end of the day, the evening sky is almost always a little blue. So, if you can’t get hold of the golden hour for too long, no worries. You can still take a couple of blue hour photos.
- Learn to pull up some shadows. The term “Golden Hour” refers to the golden hour when the sun goes from highest to lowest in the sky, giving you the longest period of time to take a photo before the light gets too low. You can extend this time period by raising your camera, lowering your lens, or using a combination of both. These tips can be applied to any type of photography, whether you’re shooting with a digital camera or a film camera.
- Capture what’s RAW. This golden hour is the time of the day right after sunrise when the sun rises behind the highest mountains and casts a warm glow into the atmosphere. It’s an ideal time to take amazing photographs, but it’s easy to miss a golden hour. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll have to wait an hour or two after sunrise to get the sun’s rays traveling in the same direction. Shooting at the right time can help you capture a more unique, beautiful shot.
- Adjust some angles. It is time for you to capture the best moments of your life in an amazing way. However, when you are capturing this beautiful moment with your camera, there are many factors that you need to consider. One of these is the angle of your camera. A simple rule to follow is to always shoot your photos from above so that the surrounding scenery is captured. This will provide a better perspective of the surrounding area, and it will also help you to capture the golden hour perfectly.
Being able to capture the golden hour, the final half-hour before the sun sets where the colors are rich and vibrant is a great way to express the sunset’s beauty and a fantastic way to capture beautiful sunset photos. The colors, the light, and the atmosphere all seem to come together in a special way.
