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Sarah Halstead

You are here: Home | Photography | Golden Hour Tips

August 7, 2012 By Sarah Halstead

Golden Hour Tips

Filed Under: Photography

Golden Hour TipsWelcome to Tutorial Tuesday! Ashley of Ramblings and Photos and I will be bringing you a new challenge every week, to stretch your shooting and editing skills. This week I am talking about the coveted “Golden Hour”. I wanted to share some of my favorite golden hour tips.

We all have heard about the Golden Hour but when is the golden hour? I use an app on my phone called Magic Hour. It tells you the golden hour for sunrise and sunset. I like looking at it to know the best time for photos. The black is where it shows your location, just so you know. It will tell you the best time for golden hour where you are. You can also check it online at The Golden Hour.

I try and schedule most of my photography session about 30 minutes to an hour before golden hour. That way you have some good light and then you will have some golden light. You get a variety of images that way.

Golden Hour Tips:

If you are shooting directly into the sun, and you can see it in your frame it will blow out everything. The best thing you want to do is block the the sun either with the person you are taking the photo of or by keeping the sun out of the frame all together.

The photo below is SOOC (straight out of camera). I got down on the ground and took it. The sun is mostly out of the frame. You still get that nice hazy look but it isn’t all blown out. I did end up getting all itchy to take the photo but it was worth it. I love that one sprig of grass and the purple glow.

Golden Hour Tips

Another tip is you want to turn off Auto White Balance and use the sun or daylight settings. If you use auto it will try and cool down your image and you won’t get that “golden” glow.

Golden Hour Tips

Even during the golden hour you may not get the right coloring and exposure but you can’t pass up a good photo like the one below. ADORABLE! So when all else fails use editing. I used some actions from Pure Actions called Pure Haze Collection. I also used some sun flare actions from MCP Fusion Actions.

The light during Golden Hour changes very quickly!! So shoot as quickly as possible, take as many photos as you can. Have fun and I can not wait to see your Golden Hour photos!!

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Comments

  1. posh says

    August 8, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Wonderful photos! Have a great WW. POSH
  2. Robyn says

    August 8, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Thanks for the "golden hour" tips, Sarah!
  3. Kaylene Maalste says

    August 8, 2012 at 4:42 am

    I am eager to try this, I went to the Golden Hour site and got the co-ordinates for my country town, so I am ready to go tomorrow. Love your shots and edits. Cheers
  4. Laura says

    August 7, 2012 at 11:45 pm

    Great tips! I definitely need to get that app! :D
  5. Gina says

    August 7, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    It certainly is dreamy - I just love how these turned out.
  6. secret mom thoughts says

    August 7, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    Lovely photos. I love that golden hour.
  7. Tamar Strauss-Benjamin says

    August 7, 2012 at 11:22 am

    These are gorgeous! The two of the boys are amazing!!
  8. Mom Photographer says

    August 7, 2012 at 11:08 am

    great tips!
  9. Elena says

    August 7, 2012 at 9:50 am

    Fantastic tutorial; these pictures are fabulous! That lighting is just magical; love it!
  10. Erika B says

    August 7, 2012 at 6:46 am

    That light is simply stunning! You make we want to go out immediately in search of that haze. Erika B
  11. Pieni lintu says

    August 7, 2012 at 6:35 am

    Beautiful!!!
  12. Emily says

    August 7, 2012 at 12:55 am

    Stunning light in these photos! I am going to look for the Magic App right now! Thank you for sharing!
  13. Tonya @ Love of Family & Home says

    August 7, 2012 at 12:15 am

    Great tips & great shots!! Love them all!

Welcome

I'm Sarah and I am the writer behind this blog. I love sharing recipes, DIY projects, photos and about my everyday life. I married my high school sweetheart Kenny. We have three boys and one baby girl - Dustyn, Carsyn, Prestyn, and Annelyn. Thanks for stopping by, can't wait to get to know you more. Read More…

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