A Guide to Magic-Hour Photography
Practical tips for getting great photos during the magic hour that spans golden hour and blue hour.
What magic hour is
Magic hour is a term that covers both golden hour and blue hour, referring to the time of day when the light changes most dramatically.
Preparation
- Calculate the sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for your location in advance.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early to set up your composition and tripod.
- Because the light changes quickly, re-check your exposure often.
Settings tips
- To bring out warm tones, lock the white balance to a color temperature slightly higher than auto.
- In backlight aim for silhouettes; in front light aim for soft portrait lighting.
- During blue hour, use a tripod and long exposures to capture the lights of the night scene.
Even at the same location the colors of golden hour and blue hour are completely different, so it's worth shooting both windows and comparing them.