Harper Lin
The golden hour is a period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which the sun's light is softer and redder than when it is higher in the sky. This lighting is ideal for photography, as it enhances the colours of the scene and reduces the likelihood of overexposure. The duration of the golden hour depends on the location's latitude and the time of year. For instance, in Los Angeles, California, the sun has an altitude of about 10–12° during the golden hour, while in Quito, Ecuador, it takes only 50 minutes for the sun to reach this altitude. To capture the perfect shot, photographers can use tools such as golden hour calculators, trackers, and photo time apps to determine the best times and locations for golden hour photography.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. |
| Other Names | Magic hour, blue hour |
| Lighting | The character of the lighting is determined by the sun's altitude. |
| Shadowing | Shadows are less dark during the golden hour. |
| Highlights | Highlights are less likely to be overexposed. |
| Photography | The golden hour is a great time to shoot any kind of picture, including portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and still life. |
| Latitude | The time for the sun to move from the horizon to a specified altitude depends on a location's latitude and the time of year. |
| Examples | In Los Angeles, California, the sun has an altitude of about 10–12° during the golden hour. In Quito, Ecuador, it takes the sun about 50 minutes to move from 6° below the horizon to 6° above it. |
| Tools | Golden hour calculator, golden hour tracker, photo time app, sun calculator, tripod |
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What You'll Learn
Golden hour is shortly after sunrise or before sunset
The golden hour is a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. This is a desirable time for photography as the warm colour of the low sun enhances the colours of the scene, and the diffuse and warm light is ideal for natural photography. The character of the lighting during the golden hour is determined by the sun's altitude, which depends on a location's latitude and the time of year. For example, in Los Angeles, California, the sun has an altitude of about 10–12° an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset. In locations closer to the equator, the sun reaches this altitude in less than an hour, and for locations farther from the equator, it takes longer. In places sufficiently far from the equator, the sun may not reach a 10° altitude, and the golden hour lasts all day during certain seasons.
The golden hour is also called the magic hour, especially by cinematographers and photographers. The period shortly before magic hour at sunrise or after it at sunset is called the "blue hour". The blue hour is when the contrast is less, shadows are less dark, and highlights are less likely to be overexposed. The blue hour is also a great time to shoot pictures, including portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and still life.
The golden hour is short, so photographers must plan ahead. Tools such as a golden hour calculator, golden hour tracker, or photo time app can help photographers predict the best times for golden hour shots. These tools can also be used to determine the sun's position, angle, and azimuth to optimise shoots and capture the best natural light at any location. For example, photographers can use a sun position map to track the sun's trajectory and plan their shoots accordingly.
The Phototime App is one such tool that can be used to find out the golden hour times for any given location and date. The app also comes with an Augmented Reality (AR) module, which helps photographers predict the sun's exact position during a given time. This can be helpful when photographers are waiting for the sun to appear from behind a building or a mountain.
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It is a great time to take photographs
Golden hour is a great time to take photographs. This is because the sun is low in the sky, and the light looks soft and warm, creating a magical effect. The golden hour happens twice a day: once in the hour immediately after sunrise and once in the hour immediately before sunset. During these times, the sun's rays have further to travel to reach the Earth, reducing their intensity and making the light softer and redder. This low-intensity, highly saturated sunlight enhances contrast and creates a special mood.
The golden hour is a popular time for portrait photography as the warm, flattering light enhances skin tones and reduces the appearance of dark shadows and bright highlights. This is particularly important in portrait photography, where a fill flash is often necessary to avoid overexposure. The golden hour is also a good time for landscape photography, as the warm colour of the low sun enhances the colours of the scene.
To capture the perfect golden hour photograph, it is important to plan in advance. The day before your photoshoot, observe how the sun moves and how the light changes. This will help you to be prepared and ensure that your subject is feeling relaxed when the golden hour arrives. You can also use dedicated apps like Photo Ephemeris or PhotoPills to check the lighting conditions for your shoot and view the sun's location and light direction.
While the golden hour is a great time to take photographs, it is important to remember that the lighting changes very quickly during this time. This can pose a challenge for photographers, but with careful planning and observation, it is possible to capture stunning images during the golden hour.
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The sun's altitude determines the character of the lighting
The golden hour is a period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. The character of the lighting during the golden hour is determined by the sun's altitude. When the sun is close to the horizon on a sunny day, its light appears warmer and softer. The sun's altitude at a given time depends on a location's latitude and the time of year. For example, in Los Angeles, California, at an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset, the sun has an altitude of about 10–12°. For a location closer to the equator, the same altitude is reached in less than an hour, and for a location farther from the equator, the altitude is reached in more than one hour. In locations where the sun is directly overhead at noon, for example, at the equator during the equinoxes, the sun traverses the horizon at an angle of 90°.
The golden hour is also sometimes called the magic hour, especially by cinematographers and photographers. During these times, the brightness of the sky matches the brightness of streetlights, signs, car headlights, and lit windows. The warm sunlight makes the golden hour a favorite among photographers and filmmakers. It is the best time of day for natural photography when diffuse and warm light is desired. The low light level during the golden hour may require photographers to try out a higher ISO setting. However, this may also increase noise, so it is recommended to use a tripod.
The period of time shortly before the magic hour at sunrise or after it at sunset is called the "blue hour". This is when the sun is at a significant depth below the horizon, and residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue shade. There are no sharp shadows because the sun either has not risen or has already set. The blue hour produces a lighting effect very different from the direct morning or evening sunlight, requiring photographers to work with different camera settings.
The duration of the golden hour depends on both the latitude and the season. Within the polar circles and just outside them, the sun does not sink lower than 6 degrees below the horizon during the summer, so the golden hour can last all night. Close to the poles, it can even last for several weeks around the equinoxes when the sun's zenith slowly passes the equator. The golden hour is a great time to shoot any kind of picture, including portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and still life.
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The golden hour lasts longer in locations further from the equator
The golden hour, also known as the magic hour, is a period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. The sun's altitude determines the character of the lighting, and the time it takes for the sun to move from the horizon to a specified altitude depends on a location's latitude and the time of year.
In locations closer to the equator, the sun moves from 6 degrees below the horizon to 6 degrees above it in less than an hour. For example, in Quito, Ecuador, which is very close to the equator, it takes the sun about 50 minutes to make this transition. At higher latitudes, the same process takes longer. At around 40 degrees north and south, for example in New York and Wellington, it takes around 1 hour in March. In Oslo (about 60° north) and the northernmost tip of Antarctica (about 60° south), the golden hour lasts over 90 minutes at that time of the year.
Therefore, the golden hour lasts longer in locations further from the equator. This is because the sun takes longer to reach a specified altitude in locations further from the equator, resulting in a longer duration of the golden hour.
The golden hour is a popular time for photographers and filmmakers due to the warm and soft lighting conditions that create a magical atmosphere in photos and films. The low angle of the sun during the golden hour enhances the depth and dimension in images, making it ideal for portraits, landscapes, and outdoor photography.
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Augmented Reality (AR) can help photographers plan for the golden hour
The golden hour is a period of time shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the daylight is redder and softer, creating a magical effect for photographers. The duration of the golden hour varies according to season and latitude, and it rarely lasts a full hour; sometimes it's just 15 minutes.
AR sun path prediction helps photographers visualize the sun's trajectory in real time. In outdoor photography, it can predict when mountain peaks will be in golden hour light or shadow. In city photography, it helps avoid blocked sunlight from buildings and enhances reflections. AR ensures precise planning for golden hour photography, allowing photographers to capture the best natural light at any location.
Photographers can use AR to plan their shoots with precision, optimizing their use of light and shadow to enhance their images. AR allows photographers to see how light and shadow will move across a location at any given time, helping them to refine their compositions and make the most of the golden hour's unique lighting conditions.
AR technology can also aid in predicting astronomical principles, such as the scattering of shorter blue light wavelengths during the golden hour, which results in the warm, golden tones that characterize this magical period of the day. By understanding these principles, photographers can use AR to plan their shoots and ensure they are in the right place at the right time to capture the golden hour's exquisite lighting.
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Frequently asked questions
The golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which the sun is low in the sky, and the daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.
During the golden hour, the light has a warm, golden hue, and because the contrast is less, shadows are softer, and highlights are less likely to be overexposed. This warm and diffuse light is considered desirable for photography and cinematography, especially for landscapes.
The time of the golden hour depends on your location's latitude and the time of year. In Los Angeles, California, the sun has an altitude of about 10–12° during the golden hour, which is reached about an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset. In locations closer to the equator, this altitude is reached in less than an hour, and for locations farther from the equator, it takes longer than an hour.
You can use a golden hour calculator, tracker, or photo time app to find out the exact time for the golden hour for your location and date.
