The Golden Hour: Why Photographers Love This Time So Much
The hour after sunrise and before sunset is a small miracle for photographers. Why?
When a photographer suggests shooting early in the morning or in the evening, there's a good reason. It's called the golden hour and it works wonders with light.
What the golden hour is
It's the time shortly after sunrise and before sunset. The light is then low, soft and warm, completely different from harsh midday.
The reason is physical. When the sun sits low, its rays travel through a thicker layer of atmosphere, which filters out most of the blue light so mainly warm, orange and golden wavelengths reach the ground. That's where the name comes from, though its real length isn't always sixty minutes, it changes with the season and the latitude.
Why the light is loveliest
Soft light creates no harsh shadows, skin looks beautiful and everything takes on a golden, romantic glow. It gives photos a mood you can't get during the day.
A low sun angle stretches the shadows and softens them, so instead of harsh dark patches under the eyes or nose you get a smooth transition between light and shadow. At the same time the color temperature drops, which flatters skin tone and softens small imperfections that would stand out far more under cool midday light.
Why midday light is harsh
During the day, when the sun sits high, light falls onto the face almost straight down. It creates short, harsh shadows under the brow, nose and chin, and the contrast gets so high the camera struggles to hold detail in both at once. That's why midday is rarely recommended for outdoor portraits, so photographers look for shade under trees or buildings instead.
Backlight and the rim light effect
When the sun shines from behind the model, you get backlight, one of the most loved effects of the golden hour. The rays wrap around the silhouette and light up hair and shoulder edges with a soft golden glow known as rim light. To keep the face from staying dark, the photographer often balances it with a reflector or a gentle flash from the front. This effect works best when the sun is low, at midday it would need a much stronger artificial light source.
How to make the most of it
Arrive on time, the golden hour is short. Choose a location in advance and expect the loveliest light to come and go quickly.
How long the golden hour lasts depends on latitude and season, the closer to the poles and the closer to summer, the longer the soft light holds. It's worth checking sunrise and sunset times in advance, for example in the widget above, and arriving with a buffer, so the composition, outfits and props are ready before the light starts changing color.
And the blue hour
Right after sunset comes the blue hour, cool, gentle light with a magical atmosphere. Great for urban and atmospheric shots.
The blue hour is usually shorter than the golden hour. It arrives right after sunset, when the sky is still bright but direct sunlight no longer reaches the ground. The light is even, faintly blue and free of harsh contrast, perfect for shots with artificial light in the background, such as a lit up city or candles.
How to use the golden hour
- Shoot shortly after sunrise or before sunset
- Arrive on time, it's short
- Choose a location in advance
- Try the blue hour after sunset too
Want photos in the loveliest light? Get in touch and we'll plan the shoot for the right time.
What helps
- Arrive at the location early and ready.
- Shoot with your back to the sun for a rim light effect.
- Try the blue hour after sunset too.
What to avoid
- Leaving the planning to the last minute.
- Shooting at midday with the sun overhead.
- Forgetting to check exact sunrise and sunset times.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly does the golden hour happen?
Shortly after sunrise and before sunset, you can find the exact time in the widget above on this page.
Why is the light different during the golden hour?
The sun sits low, its rays travel through a thicker layer of atmosphere and mainly warm, golden wavelengths reach the ground.
What is the rim light effect?
When the sun shines from behind the model, its rays wrap around the silhouette and light up hair and shoulders with a soft golden glow.
Do you shoot during the golden hour too?
Yes, it's one of our favourite times to shoot outdoors, we're happy to plan a session around sunrise or sunset.
Want photos in the loveliest light?
We'll plan the shoot right around the golden or blue hour, so the light does most of the work for us. Have a look at our services, or just write to us.
Our services Get in touchQuick recap
- The golden hour means low, soft, warm light.
- No harsh shadows, skin looks beautiful.
- It's short, arrive on time.
- After sunset, try the blue hour too.
