The magical golden hour is just before sunset. It is my absolute favorite time to shoot and the only time I will schedule sessions. The bad part is that is never an hour. It is more like 20-30 minutes, depending on your location. Once it starts, it sets fast too. You need to be ready with your subjects posed and in place. Settings: Nikon D4s, 35 1.4, 1.6, ISO160, 800ss Kelvin WB
This was just at sunset in the image above. That last bit of orange/golden glow was just about dipped behind the trees. I knew it was coming, had been watching, and I placed the sun glow to my left. I wanted the glow from the setting sun to be able to wrap around her and give her that glow.
In this photo, the sun had still a tad bit of ways to set, so I placed her where I could filter some of that glow with the trees. I offset the glow again, allowing that glow to wrap around her. I let the trees break up some of that light and it gave them that glow as well. I like to filter the glow through trees when it has not quite hit the horizon. I always shoot these shoots pretty close to wide open. That is just my preference, but I love the creaminess it gives my images. When shooting that wide open, be sure to take several shots, to ensure you nailed the focus. Settings: Nikon D4s, 35 1.4, 1.4 ISO 250, 2000ss, Kelvin WB
The image above is perfect example of the glow to my left of the client and how that light wraps around the subject. I had her angled just right to get that glow over them both. Another tip is shooting Kelvin WB. I shoot Kelvin and my settings change from location to location and from light to light. During these golden minutes, I am anywhere from 6k-7k. I like my images warm, so that is just my personal preference but it really intensifies that warm glow. Settings: Nikon D4s, 35 1.4, 1.4, ISO 640, 640ss Kelvin WB
Another tip (and this is not just for golden hour)….shoot RAW. I am sure you have heard that before, but I firmly believe in it. I was a JPEG shooter for a long time, and I know tons of great photographers that shoot JPEG. For me personally I like the control it gives me in my image in post. I most certainly do not think that you should not pay attention and not worry about getting it correct in camera because I do, but RAW files retain more detail in the image. I hear so many say, if I am shooting JPEG and nailing it, I do not need to shoot RAW. I have to disagree. I was totally that person several years ago. I did not want the hassle of the large files. But I feel more in control with my images and retain so much more detail in areas where I need it. I hardly ever have to “fix” an image in ACR. But I do most of my editing in there with the sliders now. It is very quick and easy once you get the hang of it and practice with it.. One thing I do for some golden hour images, is bump down the exposure ever so slightly. You should spot meter for the face, and shoot those settings. Sometimes I will spot meter, and then dial it down to the underexposure side a point or two. That creates the most wonderful depth and shadows. Again this is personal preference. In some cases with different skin tones however, I have found that it is best and easier for me to control by spot metering and shooting the meter reading. Then, in ACR gently slide the exposure slider down a tad. It will pull in some of the golden hour shadows that are naturally there to the eye and also add some richness to the image and I just love that. Settings: Nikon D4s, 35 1.4, 1.8, ISO 100, 1250ss, Kelvin WB
I have my locations that I use and I know where my light sets and when. When striving for this golden glow in the magic hour, you have to know your location. I like locations that I can see that sun set, meaning not a lot of trees or really low area. Pay attention to that next time while out shooting. Some areas do not allow for those golden hour shots because of something blocking that. Those locations may be excellent for more open shade and even those sun burst shots, but moving to an area for those last 20 minutes where you can see the golden ball set is what you need for the golden hour shots. That does make it tricky at times, since those golden minutes happen rather fast and you have to be ready. That is why I am so picky with my locations. So keep your eyes out next time you are location scouting and take note of the surroundings and where the sun will set. Settings: Nikon D4s, 35 1.4, 2.0, ISO 200, 640ss, Kelvin WB
Jamie Faulkner Photography is a family and child photographer located in Southern IL and serves the Southern IL and Western KY area. Capturing the everyday moments is her passion and she has a very natural and candid style to her work. When she is not photographing her clients, you can find her chasing down her two girls, experimenting with film photography, hitting up way to many antique stores, drinking way to much coffee, chasing that light and constantly learning about it, and coming up with adventures and travels to persuade the husband to go on. And you can bet she documents it all.
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