If you ask a photographer when their favorite time to shoot is, they'll probably tell you the golden hour.

A good photo is all about the right lighting, and the golden hour delivers exactly that. It's sometimes referred to as "The Magic Hour" because of the stunning photographic results this time of day produces.

We're going to discuss exactly what golden hour is, when it is, and why photographers love it.

What Is Golden Hour?

Golden Hour Person With Trumpet
No attribution needed - Unsplash

Golden hour is the type of light that appears right after dawn and right before sunset. During this time, everything is filled with a golden hue due to how low the sun is on the horizon. It also produces long and soft shadows. This makes for perfect conditions to do a photoshoot in.

The golden color is a result of the sunlight having to travel a longer distance through the atmosphere. Only the colors with a high wavelength can reach us—hence the reddish color pallet of the lighting.

When Is Golden Hour?

Golden Hour Grassfield
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There isn't a definite beginning or end of golden hour, nor is there an exact measurement for how long it lasts. It all depends on the season and your latitude.

But for the general population, it starts right at sunrise and lasts for about one hour, and begins again during the hour preceding the end of sunset.

If you are located close to the equator, you might want to put a rush on things since golden hour might not last for one full hour. If you're closer to the poles, it can last for several hours.

Related: What Is Depth of Field and How Does It Occur?

Why Do Photographers Love Golden Hour?

Photographers love the golden hour because it produces distinctive lighting conditions that flatter nearly every type of shoot. It also provides a window of opportunity for unique effects that can only be achieved during this time of day.

Let's break down the main reasons why photographers love taking golden hour pictures:

Softer Light

Golden Hour Woman Walking
No attribution needed - Unsplash

As a result of the sun's low position on the horizon, the light comes in at an angle, stretching out over a larger part of the atmosphere. This diffuses the light, and levels out the exposure. The light is softer and less intense, as opposed to direct sunlight that creates harsh contrasts.

Warm and Inviting Colors

Golden Hour Beach
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The red, orange, and yellow hues create a warm and inviting atmosphere. People associate comfort and happiness with this color pallet, especially if it's in combination with soft light.

Longer Shadows and Directional Light

Golden Hour People Jogging
No attribution needed - Unsplash

Not only is the light softer due to the low-angled sun, but it's also more directional. It means that the light is coming from one direction—in this case, the horizon. During the rest of the day, the light touches everything since there is nothing obstructing it.

Directional light casts longer shadows, enhancing the calmness that comes along with the soft, warm light. This is why golden hour is ideal for landscape shots.

Golden Hour Techniques and Effects

The combination of warm colors, directional light, and long shadows make certain effects available to you that can't be achieved during any other time of the day. Let's have a look at what they are.

Related: Creative Photography Ideas for Beginners to Improve Their Skills

Silhouettes

Golden Hour Silhouette
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Golden hour is the perfect time to create silhouettes. The absence of light from the back will black out the subject, while the glaring light from the front outlines its shape.

Ensure that you adjust your exposure settings so that the bright parts of the image are amplified. And always shoot against the source of the light.

Lens Flares

Golden Hour Lens Flare
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Typically, photographers avoid pointing their cameras directly into the sunlight because the flare can be too overpowering and ruin a photo. But, with a few tricks, you can embrace the flare and turn it into an element of the composition.

Related: How to Use Aperture Priority and Finally Get Out of Auto Mode

First, set the aperture value to f/16 and turn down the exposure. Play around with the position of the camera, or try using a subject to partially block out the sun. The results should look like there are multiple rays coming out of the sun.

Side Lighting

Golden Hour Side Lighting
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Side lighting in photography is when the light falls on the subject at an angle of about 90 degrees. This results in one side of the subject being lit with the golden hues, and the other side remaining shadowed.

Unlike front lighting, the shadows created by side lighting add depth and drama to a photo.

Backlighting

Golden Hour Backlighting
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Backlighting involves the light source being placed behind the subject to produce a contrast between the background and the subject. The light can also create a contrast on the subject itself by making some parts translucent.

Backlit shots can quickly become silhouettes if you don't do it right. You want to find a camera setting that ensures the subject can be seen. Focus on the subject and increase the exposure to reveal its colors and textures.

Related: A Complete Guide to the Exposure Triangle in Photography

If finding the right settings prove too difficult, you can always employ bounce light. Reflectors are relatively affordable and easy to obtain, or you can take advantage of your surroundings, like windows and white walls, to reflect the light source onto the subject.

Use the Shadows

Golden Hour Self Shadow
No attribution needed - Pixabay

Long shadows are a consequence of golden hour, and although they add a nice dramatic touch, they're often an afterthought. However, you can focus on a shadow so that it becomes the main element in the composition.

Stand behind an object and capture only its shadow, or stand with your back facing the sun to use your own shadow. The dark silhouette will balance the lively color pallet, and you can play around with interesting shapes or poses. This technique works best with a level ground and a background that isn't too busy.

Don't Skip Golden Hour

Golden hour provides photographers with the opportunity to utilize unique, natural effects that can't be achieved at any other time of the day.

Beyond the technicalities, golden hour photos capture something that we rarely get to see. People don't tend to get up early enough to watch the sunrise, and most of us are either stuck in traffic or too tired from a long day's work to catch the sunset. So a golden hour photograph can truly look other-worldly.