

Be mindful of the clouds, as they can affect the level and quality of light in your shots, plus shadowing is subject to change over the course of your session. The Golden Hour is your shortcut to picture perfection, especially for outdoor events like weddings or parties, but sunlight isn’t the only natural quality you can use to your advantage. These shadows make the photos look more three-dimensional and add an intensity and dynamism to your portraits that are otherwise impossible to replicate. Lim also points out that shadows are more prominent during these hours due to the sun’s positioning in the sky. The “warmer,” less powerful light you get when the sun is near the horizon is made of reds and yellows, which combine to create a warmer tone. Lauren Lim argues that one huge advantage of shooting during the Golden Hour is the color temperature. Using these colors will enhance the glow of your subject’s face - the combination of sunlight and an ideal set of similar tones has the effect of creating a natural-looking tan. Stay GoldĪs you might expect, using golden tones in photos taken during these hours will enhance the picture’s organic look and feel, instead of making it look staged and stiff, as it might in a studio. If you don’t have a backlight or prefer to keep it all natural, it’s best to find a shadowy area or covering to avoid overexposure or excessive brightness. Using a backlight will create better color and shading on the skin, while illuminating the subject’s face.

If you absolutely must use synthetic lighting, make sure that it’s coming from behind the subject - that way, he or she isn’t being overpowered or distracted. Throwing all that light directly onto a subject’s face will probably make them squint or feel uncomfortable, eliminating any possibility of the relaxed, natural look you want in a portrait.

Golden hour time photos full#
Planning a photoshoot for sunrise or sunset will flood your photo with warm, natural light, whether it be a landscape, a close-up, or even a family shot.Ī lot of photographers will immediately try to front light the person being photographed, but to take full advantage of natural light, it’s actually best to avoid that technique. Turn Down the LightsĬhris Gampat and other photographers know that timing is essential when you’re taking outdoor portraits. It takes patience, discipline, and some technical know-how to make the most of the Golden Hour, but with a few pointers, your portraits will look as perfect - and as natural - as you could ever want. The “Golden Hour” - that fleeting period around both sunrise and sunset when the sunlight is optimal - provides the perfect backdrop for your picture without the need for harsh synthetic lighting and a frustrating mess of equipment. But when it comes to portraiture, lighting is everything. You can choose from our exclusive styles or create your own with our powerful yet easy-to-use tool.Ĭreating the perfect lighting for your portraits is a cinch when you let nature work its magic - and there’s no time more magical to do it than the Golden Hour.Ĭapturing the perfect picture is dependent on a lot of factors coming together. Create your own personalized photo calendars and enjoy your favorite moments all year round.
