What – and when – is golden hour photography?

Golden hour photography image of a blue, pink and yellow sky, reflected in a body of water
(Image credit: Getty Images)

You may well have heard of the term ‘golden hour’ photography, sometimes called ‘magic hour’, and are probably aware that it refers to the time of day when the light from the low sun imbues images with a beautiful golden quality.

Golden hour photography is perfect for scenic landscape shots bathed in this wonderful golden glow. But what actually causes it, and when does it happen?

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Adam Waring
News Editor

Prior to joining digitalcameraworld.com as News Editor, Adam was the editor of N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine for seven years, and as such is one of Digital Camera World's leading experts when it comes to all things Nikon-related. 

Whether it’s reviews and hands-on tests of the latest Nikon cameras and lenses, sharing his skills using filters, tripods, lighting, L brackets and other photography equipment, or trading tips and techniques on shooting landscapes, wildlife and almost any genre of photography, Adam is always on hand to provide his insights. 

Prior to his tenure on N-Photo, Adam was also a veteran of publications such as PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, so his wealth of photographic knowledge isn’t solely limited to the Big N.