Professional photographers claim that the “golden hour” is the time of day with the best light. From this article you will learn if this is true and how it can be used.
There is one thing that largely determines whether or not a photograph will turn out, and that factor is lighting. You might take the most incredible scenery or a stunning model, but without good lighting, all you get is flat, boring, unimpressive photos.
This is especially true when shooting outdoors, where it is difficult or impossible to use artificial light. In that case you will be completely dependent on natural light.
Therefore, it is critical to choose the right time to shoot with natural light. Fortunately, professionals and amateur photographers who have been thinking about this problem since the first camera was created have found the perfect solution – the “golden hour”.
What is the golden hour?
“The golden hour” is also sometimes called the “magic hour,” which is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset, although the exact duration varies depending on the time of year. During this time period, the sun is low in the sky, giving a soft, diffused light that is much more pleasant than the harsh midday light.
Such lighting reduces contrast, reducing the chance of losing details of your subject that might be drowned in deep shadows or overexposed. The warm tint makes the shot look nicer, and the long shadows help emphasize details, adding texture and volume to the photo.Another advantage is that there are usually fewer people outside during the golden hour than at other times of the day, allowing for a more relaxed and natural shot.
When should it be used?
“The Golden Hour can be used for any type of outdoor shooting. Along with the obvious destinations – landscapes and city photography – this technique is great for portraits, flowers, plants and even object photography such as car photography.
Professional photographers strictly adhere to this rule, and many are so dedicated to it that they simply refuse to shoot at other times of the day. You, of course, do not need to be so principled, but it is worth listening to expert advice, as a rule, they turn out to be very useful.
Determining the “golden hour”?
Start by determining the local sunrise-sunset time. Then, you need to make a series of simple calculations: the first “golden hour” begins just before sunrise and lasts about an hour. The second golden hour starts about an hour before sunset and ends with it.
Shooting tips
Once you’ve decided what and when to take pictures, you’re pretty much ready to grab your camera and accessories and head out for some great shots. But before you do, try to remember the following tips so that the shoot goes smoothly and the allotted time is made the most of.
Use a tripod
During the period near sunrise and sunset, it will be quite dark outside. However, it would be a shame to miss those fantastic colors and textures by waiting for it to get brighter.
Set your camera on a tripod, choose low and use a long shutter speed.
Take the time to set up your camera.
“Golden hour” comes suddenly, so it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. Arrive at the shooting location ahead of time so you have some time to spare.
During the golden hour, light changes extremely quickly and pictures taken a few minutes apart can look completely different. Don’t go home after taking one or two pictures, instead stay for the full hour to capture the full spectrum of light metamorphosis.
Bring a flashlight and warm drinks
It can get very cold and dark during sunrise and sunset. This seems obvious, but it’s easy enough to forget that, especially if you’re still going in the afternoon to photograph the sunset. A lantern will help you see what you’re doing and where you’re going, and a warm drink is a real gift when you’re standing in the cold, waiting for your next photo opportunity.
In lieu of a conclusion.
Shooting during “golden hours” is definitely one of the tips that has had the most positive impact on outdoor photos. While it does force you to go out and shoot at a time when you might still be sleeping sweetly, curled up, it’s worth it. Try it and you’ll see your photos transform!