TheThe GoldenGolden HourHour The Golden Hour refers to the hour before sunset and after sunrise. Photographers agree that some of the very best times of day to take photos are during these hours. During the Golden Hours, the atmosphere is often permeated with breathtaking light that adds ambiance and interest to any scene. There can be spectacular variations of colors and hues ranging from subtle to dramatic. Even simple subjects take on an added glow. During the Golden Hours, take photos when the opportunity presents itself because light changes quickly and then fades away. 07:14:09 a.m. 07:15:48 a.m. Photographed about 60 seconds after previous photo. The look of a scene can vary greatly when taken at different times of the day. Scene photographed midday Scene photographed early morning SampleSample GoldenGolden HourHour photosphotos Top Tips for taking photos during the Golden Hours Arrive on the scene early to take test shots and adjust camera settings. Set camera to matrix or center-weighted metering. Use small apertures for maximizing depth-of-field. Select the lowest possible ISO. Set white balance to daylight or sunny day. When lighting is low, use a tripod with either a timed shutter release (self-timer) or a shutter release cable or remote. Taking photos during the Golden Hours When photographing the sun Don't stare into the sun, or hold the camera lens towards it for a very long time. Meter for the sky but don't include the sun itself. Composition tips: The horizon line should be above or below the center of the scene. Include the horizon or other ground and foreground elements. These will be silhouetted and stand out beautifully against a colorful sunset or sunrise. Remember, lighting changes often and quickly during the Golden Hour, so as soon as you see something you like, click the shutter button! This information is provided by Digicamhelp. It may be freely distributed as long as it is not altered in any way. www.digicamhelp.com Photos and text by Gail Bjork © 2007-2009 All rights reserved .