THE MAJESTIC GOLDEN HOUR
Asian Photography|August 2020
AS THE SUN RISES, A FRESH START BEGINS. NOTHING CAN BE MORE PEACEFUL THAN TO START YOUR DAY WITH A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE AND END WITH THE SERENE VIEWS OF THE SUNSET. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF CAPTURING THIS IN YOUR FRAME? ‘GOLDEN HOUR’ IS A TIME JUST AFTER A SUNRISE OR BEFORE SUNSET, THROUGH WHICH DAYLIGHT IS REDDER AND SOFTER THAN THE HARSH SUNLIGHT. WHEN THE SUN IS LOW ABOVE THE HORIZON, SUN RAYS MUST PENETRATE THE ATMOSPHERE FOR A GREATER DISTANCE, REDUCING THE INTENSITY OF DIRECT LIGHT. MORE BLUE LIGHT IS SCATTERED, SO IF THE SUN IS PRESENT, ITS LIGHT APPEARS MORE REDDISH AND SUN’S LOW ANGLE ABOVE THE HORIZON PRODUCES LONGER SHADOWS.
KASTURI PAWAR
THE MAJESTIC GOLDEN HOUR

The magic hour of photography

Golden hour is considered as a magic hour in the photography world as the light is perfect for photography. Soft and dramatic light creates diverse mood in pictures you take. This is the best interval any photographer could use in photography for fantastic results with minimum effort. It is distinctively vivid than other times of the day. There is no direct light during golden hour.

Rays come in at an angle with diffused light. The soft light is naturally satisfying. Also as the sun is at a low angle, the light is directional, which creates longer shadows and pleasing lighting conditions that can be used in a more creative way. This type of light is warmer, with lots of yellows, oranges and reds. The atmosphere filters out blue light when the sun is closer to the horizon, leaving you with the feeling of happiness and warmth.

Golden hour light variations

You might run out of time during this hour as light changes very quickly. What will happen ten minutes from now is going to be radically different than what happened ten minutes before. You need to plan everything beforehand to get the desired results. Study your location beforehand and envision your compositions so you can maximise your time of shooting when the golden hour starts. Always try to reach your destination before time, so you will save some time for experiments. Cellphone apps comes handy to list sunset times and tell you exactly where the sun will be at any given time or place. The light is changing every minute, quicker than you thought. Try to capture all different moods of light, this will give you more options to work with it afterwards.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ASIAN PHOTOGRAPHYView all
Ethics of Wildlife Photography: Shooting and Editing
Asian Photography

Ethics of Wildlife Photography: Shooting and Editing

Wildlife photography is a captivating art that brings us closer to the beauty of nature and its inhabitants. However, it comes with a significant ethical responsibility. Wildlife photographers have the power to shape how the world perceives animals and their habitats, but this power also comes with the need to act with integrity, both in the field and during the editing process. This article explores the ethical considerations in wildlife photography, focussing on two critical aspects: shooting and editing.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
THE ART OF CREATING COMPELLING WILDLIFE PORTRAITS
Asian Photography

THE ART OF CREATING COMPELLING WILDLIFE PORTRAITS

Wildlife photography is a mesmerising genre, where the beauty of nature meets the technical skill of the photographer.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE
Asian Photography

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE

Wildlife photography offers a unique and exciting opportunity to capture the beauty of animals in their natural habitats. However, it also comes with risks, both to the photographer and the wildlife. Proper precautions must be taken to ensure that both parties remain safe. Here’s a guide on how to stay safe while photographing wildlife.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Mastering Animal Behaviour: Understanding wildlife to improve your photography
Asian Photography

Mastering Animal Behaviour: Understanding wildlife to improve your photography

Wildlife photography is an art that goes beyond having the right equipment or perfect lighting.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
A Mission for Preservation
Asian Photography

A Mission for Preservation

From the wild lands of Kaziranga to the battlegrounds of Masai Mara, Jayanta Guha's passion for wildlife conservation burns bright as the sun. His unique way of capturing often-endangered animals have brought him a lot of praise and accolades over the 5+ years of his photography career. Asian Photography caught up with him about his passion for wildlife conservation, his unique style & workflow and his future.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Framing The Future
Asian Photography

Framing The Future

A hobby that started with casual safaris, Ratish Nair's career has seen him embark on various new journeys. Today, we see him with a new-found passion of teaching and wanting to give photographers high-quality experiences under his guidance and expert tours. Asian Photography caught up with him about his passion for mentorship, his experiences on the field, mishaps and more. Excerpts:

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
ATR - For a Cause
Asian Photography

ATR - For a Cause

Not many can achieve a feat that wildlife photographer Aarzoo Khurana has. Not only is she a popular wildlife photographer - she is also, perhaps the only photographer to have visited All Tiger Reserves (ATR) under a specific time for her ATR project. Asian Photography spoke to her about her passion, wildlife conservation and her project, which is now exhibiting in different parts of the country. Excerpts:

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
The Chennai Photo Biennale is back
Asian Photography

The Chennai Photo Biennale is back

The Chennai Photo Biennale is back with the fourth edition, featuring a host of exhibitions and programmes from 20 Dec 2024 till 16 March 2025.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
DJI launches Osmo Action 5 Pro starting at ₹35000
Asian Photography

DJI launches Osmo Action 5 Pro starting at ₹35000

DJI has unveiled its latest action camera, the Osmo Action 5 Pro, boasting several industry-first features that elevate it to professional standards.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Nikon India announces NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 at ₹79,995
Asian Photography

Nikon India announces NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 at ₹79,995

Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. introduces the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4, a full-frame, FX-format compatible Z mount lens with a 55 mm diameter mount that provides abundant light and great flexibility of expression.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024