SHOOT GOLDEN HOUR LANDSCAPES

Top pro techniques for sensational landscape shots at sunrise and sunset

-  Ross Hoddinott

Want to capture gorgeous landscape photos oozing with depth and atmosphere? While great landscapes can be captured at any time of the day, many photographers favour the golden hours – just before and after sunrise and sunset – when the light is warm and magical and the skies can be vibrant.

Light found early and late in the day is both directional and soft – qualities that are hard to find together in any location with natural light at other times of the day. The sun’s low elevation casts long, inky shadows and contrast that shapes and defines the landscape, while skies tend to be at their most interesting and dramatic too. This creates a cinematic style that is more popular than ever, thanks to social media trends.

Shooting during the golden hours is not without its challenges. These signature conditions require the photographer to make some adjustments to their camera work and general approach to exposure. Whenever a strong light source is present in the frame, as is far more likely when the sun is closer to the horizon, we have to be mindful of local exposure errors, colour shifts and flare. So before you grab your camera, read our top tips to capture better golden hour landscapes time after time.

Cope with contrast (pt 1)
Work with intense highlights and shadows and minimise detail clipping