{"id":17657,"date":"2022-07-01T06:41:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T04:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=6840"},"modified":"2022-07-01T14:08:13","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T12:08:13","slug":"the-beginner-photographers-guide-to-the-golden-hour","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/the-beginner-photographers-guide-to-the-golden-hour\/","title":{"rendered":"The beginner photographer\u2019s guide to the golden hour"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 01 July 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The golden hour in photography is well-known by landscape and portrait photographers alike for giving shots a warm, reddish tint. If you\u2019ve never tried shooting during the golden hour, give it a go because it can imbue your pictures with a glow that\u2019s far superior and more natural than any filters or after-effects you can add.<\/p>\n

Looking for more photography inspiration? See our top ten tips for photographing castles<\/a>, discover the best wildlife photography courses in the UK<\/a> and see our feature on the Countryfile Calendar 2023: this year\u2019s theme and how to enter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is the golden hour in photography?<\/h2>\n

The golden hour refers to two hours: the one just before sunset and the one just after sunrise. At this time of the day, the sun\u2019s rays have farther to travel and more atmosphere to get through, which creates a redder \u2018colour temperature\u2019.<\/p>\n

On a sunny day, the warm, diffused light at these times can transform your photos, and the good news is that you can try them in winter, too, when there\u2019s no need to get up at 3am to catch the dawn!<\/p>\n

When is the golden hour and how long does it last?<\/h2>\n

The timing of this magic window changes every day in line with the movements of the sun. The quality of the light also depends on where you are in the world, but for photographers in the UK, it lasts about an hour. Winter sunsets are shorter, although the light is more golden because the sun is as far away as it gets throughout the year.<\/p>\n

How to make the most of the golden hour in photography<\/h2>\n

Here are some tips and tricks for taking advantage of this magical light.<\/p>\n

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1. Plan ahead<\/h3>\n

Pick a location to shoot at beforehand, and then calculate precisely when the golden hour occurs by checking when the sun will rise and set using an online calendar<\/a>. Plan to get into position 15 to 20 minutes before the hour begins. It can mean an early start in the morning, but it\u2019ll all be worth it for the magical dawn landscapes you can capture.<\/p>\n

2. Shoot fast<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve got a small window to shoot in, and the weather can change quickly, so get snapping as soon as the conditions are right. Keep taking shots throughout the hour \u2013 the light will change dramatically as the sun moves.<\/p>\n

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3. Switch to a wide aperture for portraits<\/h3>\n

Increase the dreamy golden feeling of portrait and macro shots at first and last light by switching down to a wide aperture of f\/5.6. This will keep the focus firmly on your subject and help you create a bokeh effect in the background\u00a0with any pinpoints of light.<\/p>\n

It’s always fun to get down low, because shooting upwards can give some really nice effects. Mix it up by shooting through trees and flowers.