Golden Hour Photography Settings
Golden hour gives you warm light and lower contrast, but exposure still changes quickly. Start with flexible settings and adapt as the sun moves.
A good starting setup
For portraits, start near aperture f/2.8 to f/5.6, keep ISO low, and use shutter speed fast enough to avoid motion blur.
For landscapes, try f/8 to f/11, ISO 100, and expose for highlights so warm sky color is preserved.
White balance and direction
Daylight white balance keeps the warm feeling natural. Auto white balance can sometimes neutralize the color you wanted.
Backlight, side light, and reflected light all work well during golden hour, so move around your subject instead of staying in one angle.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use auto white balance?
You can, but daylight or cloudy white balance often keeps golden hour warmth more consistent.
Is golden hour good for phone photos?
Yes. Tap to expose for the subject and avoid blowing out the bright sky.