2. Golden Hour (Outdoor Portraits)
Golden hour is one of the most loved times for outdoor portrait photography. Many photographers wait the whole day just for this short period because the light during golden hour is soft, warm, and very flattering. For beginners, golden hour is the easiest time to take beautiful portraits without worrying too much about harsh shadows or strong sunlight.
What Is Golden Hour?
Golden hour is the time:
- Just after sunrise
- Just before sunset
During this time, the sun stays low in the sky. Because of this, the light becomes soft and spreads evenly instead of falling straight down.
This light looks golden in color, which is why it is called golden hour.
Example:
If you go outside around 6:30–7:00 AM or around 5:30–6:30 PM (depending on the season), you will notice the sunlight looks warm and gentle instead of bright white.
Why Golden Hour Is Perfect for Portraits
1. Soft Light That Flatters the Face
During golden hour, the sunlight is not harsh. It does not create strong shadows under the eyes, nose, or chin. This makes faces look smooth and natural.
Example:
A portrait taken at sunset makes skin tones look even and glowing, without strong dark shadows.
2. Warm Colors Create Emotion
Golden hour light has warm tones like yellow, orange, and soft red. These colors create a feeling of happiness, calmness, and emotion in photos.
Example:
A couple portrait during sunset feels romantic because of the warm background light.
3. Easy for Beginners
Golden hour light works like natural studio lighting. You don’t need reflectors, flash, or editing skills.
Example:
A beginner using a mobile phone can take a professional-looking portrait during golden hour just by standing in good light.
How to Use Golden Hour Light for Portraits
1. Face the Subject Toward the Light
For soft and bright portraits, ask your subject to face the sun.
This gives:
- Bright eyes
- Even lighting
- Clear facial features
Example:
A person standing in an open field facing the setting sun gets a clean and bright portrait.
2. Side Light for Depth
You can also place the sun on one side of the subject. This creates light on one side of the face and soft shadow on the other side.
Why this works:
It adds depth and makes the portrait more interesting.
Example:
A side-lit portrait at sunset highlights facial shape and emotions.
3. Backlight for Dreamy Photos
Backlight means the sun is behind the subject.
This creates:
- A glowing outline around hair
- Soft background
- Dreamy mood
Tip:
Expose for the face so the subject does not look dark.
Example:
A portrait with the sun behind the subject creates a golden halo effect.
Best Locations for Golden Hour Portraits
Golden hour works almost everywhere, but some locations look especially beautiful:
- Parks
- Open fields
- Beaches
- Rooftops
- Streets with open sky
- Hills and viewpoints
Example:
A portrait taken on a rooftop during sunset gives warm sky colors and soft light.
What to Avoid During Golden Hour
- Shooting too late when it becomes dark
- Standing directly under trees that block light
- Placing subject too far from light
- Overexposing the sky
Golden Hour Portrait Ideas
- Solo portraits
- Couple photos
- Family portraits
- Lifestyle photography
- Fashion shoots
- Travel portraits
Golden hour adds beauty even to simple locations.
Simple Tips for Beginners
- Arrive early and prepare
- Take many photos (light changes fast)
- Keep background simple
- Use natural poses
- Watch how light touches the face
Real-Life Example
Imagine photographing a person walking slowly during sunset. The sun is low, the sky is warm, and light softly touches their face. You don’t need to ask them to pose. Just capture the moment. The result is a natural, emotional portrait.
Golden Hour Camera Settings for Beginners
Golden hour is one of the easiest times to take beautiful photos, especially portraits. The light is soft, warm, and gentle. Even then, knowing the right camera settings will help you get sharp, bright, and well-exposed photos.
This guide is made for complete beginners, so don’t worry if you are just starting.
First: What Happens to Light During Golden Hour?
During golden hour:
- Light is soft, not harsh
- Light is warm, not white
- Light changes quickly (gets darker every minute)
Because of this, your camera needs to adjust properly to capture the moment.
Best Camera Mode for Beginners
Use Aperture Priority (A or Av Mode)
This mode is perfect for beginners because:
- You control background blur
- Camera controls shutter speed automatically
If your camera doesn’t have this mode, Auto Mode also works well during golden hour.
1. Aperture (f-stop)
Aperture controls how much light enters the camera and how blurry the background looks.
Recommended Settings:
- f/1.8 – f/2.8 → Very blurry background (great for portraits)
- f/3.5 – f/4.5 → Slight blur, more face in focus
Why It Works:
- Lets in more light
- Creates soft background
- Makes subject stand out
Example:
A portrait shot at f/2.8 during sunset gives a soft background and sharp face.
2. ISO (Light Sensitivity)
ISO controls how bright your photo is.
Recommended Settings:
- Start with ISO 100
- Increase slowly to ISO 200–400 if light becomes darker
Important Tip:
Lower ISO = cleaner photo (less noise)
Example:
At the start of golden hour, ISO 100 is enough. As the sun sets, increase to ISO 200 or 400.
3. Shutter Speed
Shutter speed controls how long the camera captures light.
Safe Beginner Rule:
- Keep shutter speed above 1/125 for portraits
- If subject is moving, use 1/250
Why:
This prevents blurry photos caused by hand movement.
Example:
A person walking during sunset looks sharp at 1/250.
4. White Balance
White balance controls color tone.
Best Options:
- Daylight
- Shade
- Auto (works fine for beginners)
Tip:
Avoid changing it too much—golden hour colors are already beautiful.
Example:
Using “Daylight” keeps warm golden tones natural.
5. Focus Mode
Use:
- Single-point autofocus
- Focus on the eyes
This makes portraits look professional.
6. Metering & Exposure
Golden hour light can trick your camera.
Simple Tip:
- Slightly underexpose (–0.3 or –0.7)
- This protects highlights and sky colors
Example:
Lowering exposure keeps sunset colors rich instead of washed out.
Sample Camera Settings (Beginner Friendly)
Outdoor Portrait at Sunset:
- Mode: Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f/2.8
- ISO: 100–200
- Shutter Speed: 1/200
- White Balance: Daylight
- Focus: On eyes
Mobile Phone Users (Important!)
If you use a smartphone:
- Tap on the face to focus
- Lower brightness slightly
- Use Portrait mode (if available)
- Avoid digital zoom
Golden hour works amazingly well with mobile cameras too.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using flash (kills golden light)
- Shooting too late when it’s dark
- Ignoring shutter speed
- Overexposing the sky
Practice Tip
Golden hour changes fast. Take many photos and adjust settings as light fades. Don’t worry about mistakes—practice is the best teacher.