Golden hour is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset – when the sun is above the horizon and the light turns softer and warmer.
That doesn’t always mean the sun is visible, though – terrain, elevation, and cloud cover near the horizon can easily obscure it.
During golden hour, sunlight travels through more of the atmosphere, creating unique colours that only occur at this time of day.
Many landscape photographers consider it the best time for photography. I wouldn’t go that far – good composition works in all kinds of light – but golden hour does offer a unique and constantly changing challenge that can be very rewarding.
Because the light changes so quickly, you need to be in position, set up, and ready. Miss the moment, and it’s gone.
The images in this gallery were all taken during golden hour, but I don’t chase “classic” golden hour compositions – instead, I adapt to the conditions, responding to the mood and light as they shift. That way, even if I don’t get the dramatic colors I hoped for, I still walk away with something worth capturing.
If you’re interested in how I approach this creatively and technically, there’s a video at the bottom of this page where I talk about my process in terms of composing images.
That video is also part of a free 4-part composition mini course — no sign-up required.
But before that, here’s a collection of some of my golden hour images.
