If you’re planning on entering a photo or two in this year’s Wilderness Photographer of the Year, resented by Mountain Designs then you need to know about the ‘golden hour’ of photography. Golden what?
The golden hour in photography refers to the period shortly after sunrise and just before sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon.
During this time, sunlight is softer, warmer, and more diffused compared to the harsh midday sun, creating a flattering glow that enhances colors and reduces harsh shadows.
This light quality makes it ideal for portrait, landscape, and nature photography.
To best take advantage of the golden hour, plan your shoot in advance and arrive early to set up. Use the warm tones to create mood and depth, positioning your subject to either face or be backlit by the sun for dramatic effects.
Shooting in manual mode helps you control exposure as light changes quickly during this time. Incorporate foreground elements to enhance depth, and consider using a tripod for sharpness in low light. Ultimately, patience and timing are key to capturing stunning golden hour shots.
Here are some camera setting tips to make the most of golden hour photography:
- Shoot in Manual or Aperture Priority Mode: This gives you better control over exposure. Aperture Priority (A or Av mode) is great for balancing depth of field and light.
- Use a Wide Aperture (f/1.8 – f/4): A wide aperture lets in more light and creates a soft background blur, ideal for portraits.
- Adjust ISO Sensibly: Start with ISO 100 or 200 for minimal noise (that's the grainy look you might get in an image). As the light fades, increase ISO gradually to maintain proper exposure, but avoid going too high unless necessary.
- Shutter Speed: Keep it fast enough to avoid motion blur if handheld—generally, 1/125s or faster. Use a tripod for slower speeds in landscape shots.
- White Balance: Try the "Cloudy" or "Shade" setting to enhance the warm tones, or shoot in RAW to adjust later.
- Use Spot or Centre-Weighted Metering: Helps expose your subject correctly, especially with backlighting.
For more info watch this video by photographer Sean Kitching.