SHOOT GOLDEN HOUR LANDSCAPES

Top pro techniques for sensational landscape shots at sunrise and sunset

- Ross Hoddinott

Want to capture gorgeous landscape photos oozing depth and atmosphere? While great landscapes can be captured at any time of the day, many photographers favour the golden hours - just before and sunrise and just after 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 creates 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, though. The 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 set your alarm for an early morning shoot, read these top tips that will help you capture better golden hour landscapes.

COPE WITH CONTRAST (PT 1) 

Work with intense highlights and shadows, and minimise detail clipping

One of the biggest challenges photographers face when shooting during the golden hours is high levels of contrast. With the sun close to the horizon, the skies are bright and intense, and although modern cameras have impressive dynamic range, they can struggle to capture scenes where the sky is bright but the land is dark. One way to balance the light is to use a graduated neutral-density filter.