Golden hour is the magical period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun casts a warm, diffused light across the landscape. This soft, directional lighting creates long shadows, reduces harsh contrast, and bathes everything in a warm, golden glow that photographers treasure.
Begins at sunrise, lasting approximately one hour as the sun ascends
Starts about one hour before sunset, ending when the sun dips below the horizon
The twilight period before sunrise and after sunset with cool, ethereal tones
Enter your shooting location and date to get precise sunrise, sunset, and twilight times for planning your golden hour photography session.
Set up your equipment and scout compositions before the light peaks. The best golden hour light changes rapidly, so being prepared is essential.
Position your subject between you and the sun for dramatic rim lighting and lens flare. Side lighting creates beautiful dimension and texture.
Auto exposure often overcompensates for bright backgrounds. Shoot in manual mode and slightly underexpose to preserve the warm tones and sky colors.
Clouds can transform an ordinary sunset into extraordinary. Light, scattered clouds catch golden light beautifully, while heavy overcast blocks it entirely.
Visit your shooting location during the day to understand the terrain, identify potential compositions, and determine where the sun will rise or set.
Stay after sunset or arrive before sunrise for the blue hour. The cool, even light is perfect for cityscapes, seascapes, and moody portraits.
When the sun is low on the horizon, its light travels through more of Earth's atmosphere. This scatters the shorter blue wavelengths while allowing the longer red and orange wavelengths to pass through, creating that characteristic warm glow.
The low angle also means the light is more diffused and directional, creating soft shadows that add dimension without the harsh contrast of midday sun.
Use our calculator above to find exact sunrise, sunset, and twilight times for your specific location and date.
Visit beforehand to understand the terrain, find compositions, and identify where the sun will rise or set relative to your scene.
Get to your location at least 30-45 minutes before golden hour begins to set up equipment and capture the full range of light.
Use our full-featured calculator to plan your photography sessions with precision. Get sunrise, sunset, and twilight times for any location worldwide.
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