Golden Hour Photography Guide

The golden hour is the stretch just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun sits low and the light turns warm, soft and directional. Shadows lengthen, contrast eases, and skin, landscapes and architecture all look their best. The blue hour follows - the twilight before sunrise and after sunset, when the sky glows a deep, even blue that suits cities, rivers and reflections.

How long it lasts

The golden hour is rarely a full hour. Near the equator the sun drops steeply and the window can be as short as 20 minutes; toward the poles it lingers, and in high summer can last for hours. The only way to know your exact window is to calculate it for your latitude and date rather than guessing.

Planning the shoot

Look up sunrise, sunset and the golden and blue hour times for your location, then arrive early to scout and set up while the light is still flat. Position yourself for side or back light to make the most of the warm glow, and keep shooting into the blue hour for cooler, moodier frames. Because good light moves fast, having the times in advance is what turns a lucky snap into a planned image.

Camera tips

Shoot raw to hold the warm tones, watch your highlights as the sun flares, and use a tripod as light levels fall into the blue hour.