Golden Hour Calculator

Calculate perfect golden hour times for stunning photography. Our golden hour calculator provides precise timing for that magical warm, soft light photographers love.

What is Golden Hour?

Golden hour, also known as "magic hour," occurs when the sun is low on the horizon, creating warm, soft, and diffused light that's perfect for photography. This happens:

Morning Golden Hour: Shortly after sunrise
Evening Golden Hour: Before sunset
Duration: Typically 1-2 hours depending on location and season

Why Golden Hour is Perfect for Photography

Golden hour light offers unique advantages:

Warm color temperature - Creates appealing skin tones
Soft shadows - Reduces harsh contrast
Even lighting - Natural diffusion from atmosphere
Dramatic backgrounds - Beautiful sky colors
Rim lighting - Creates stunning silhouettes

Professional Photography Applications

Golden hour is essential for:

Portrait Photography - Flattering natural light
Wedding Photography - Romantic, warm atmosphere
Landscape Photography - Enhanced colors and textures
Architecture Photography - Warm building facades
Street Photography - Atmospheric urban scenes

Advanced Golden Hour Features

Alpenglow's golden hour calculator includes:

Precise timing - Exact start and end times
Quality forecasts - Predicts light quality conditions
Weather integration - Accounts for cloud cover
Multi-location support - Plan shoots anywhere
Notifications - Never miss perfect light again

Pro Tip

Golden hour duration varies by season and latitude. Use Alpenglow's calculator to get precise timing for your specific location and date.

Golden Hour Photography Tips

Position subjects between camera and sun for rim lighting
Use reflectors to fill shadows when needed
Shoot in RAW format to capture full dynamic range
Experiment with both front-lit and back-lit compositions
Consider the background - golden hour enhances everything