🌅 Golden Hour Calculator

Find the best golden hour times for photography around sunrise and sunset.

Golden Hour Results

Golden Hour (Morning)

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Golden Hour (Evening)

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GUIDE

Learn more

What is Golden Hour?

The period of soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. It is the most preferred time for photography, with warm, soft natural light ideal for portraits and landscapes. It usually lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour around sunrise/sunset.

Photography Tips

Morning golden hour is 30 min to 1 hour after sunrise; evening golden hour is from 1 hour before sunset to right after. Use backlight for silhouette shots, and reflectors enhance results. Light quality varies with weather.

Applications

Portrait photography, wedding photos, landscape and architectural photography, commercial advertising shoots, and film and music video production all benefit from the soft golden hour light.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is golden hour?

It is the short period right after sunrise and right before sunset when the light is soft and warm, typically lasting 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Do I only need to enter a date to use this calculator?

Yes. Select a date and it immediately shows the start and end times for both the morning and evening golden hour.

Does the result change based on location?

Yes. It applies the entered date, coordinates, and UTC offset to a NOAA solar-position approximation, so location and season change the result. Check weather and terrain separately.

What are some photography tips for golden hour?

Shooting into the light (backlight) works well for silhouettes, and a reflector can soften shadows. Light quality varies with weather, so cloudy days may produce weaker color.

What is golden hour light commonly used for?

It is widely used for portrait, wedding, landscape, and architectural photography, as well as commercial advertising shoots and film or music video production.