THE GOLDEN HOUR AND THE BLUE
HOUR
Thegoldenhour,ormagichourasitissometimesreferred
to,isthefirsthouraftersunriseandthelasthourbefore
sunset. Many portrait photographers will choose
specificallytoshoottheirsubjectsatthesetimes,asthisis
when thelight is atits most pleasing and flattering for
portraiture.
Inthesamewaythattheportraitphotographerinthestudio
woulduseasoftboxtodiffusetheflash,producingasofter
more flattering light on the subject, the location
photographer will wait until the light from the sun is
diffusedbytheatmosphere,insuchawayastoproducethe
similar effect from the light.
Itiswellknownthatportraitsshotinthedaylightarehard
to control to producesatisfactory results;theycan quite
oftenbeharshlylit,overexposedandwithstrongshadows
andintensehighlightsandthusunflatteringtothesubject.
Alsothemiddaysuncanaffecthowcomfortableyoursitter
isandcanresultinforcedexpressions,squintingeyesand
generaldisquiet. Inthegoldenhourstheintensity ofthe
sunisdiffused, producingarather softerlight, whichin
return becomes more flattering and soft for the use of
portraiture.Tonallythelightatthesetimesiswarmerand
less bleached out, again far more usable for portraiture.
Althoughnamedthegoldenhour,itisnotsetinstone;itis
alsodictatedbytheweather,timeofyearandothersuch
factors.Many photographerswillensure thatthey arrive
early to make the most of the beautiful light, and will