Sunrise taken at 7:14 a.m.

The Golden Hour refers to the hour before sunset and after sunrise, the first and last hour of sunlight in the day.

The Golden Hour is sometimes called the Magic Hour. And, no wonder. This time of day is simply magical.

It is almost universally agreed among photographers that these are the very best hours of the day to take photos because of the special character and quality of light.

Dramatic changes in light

During the Golden Hours, the atmosphere is often permeated with breathtaking light that adds ambiance, interest and drama to any scene. There can be spectacular variations of colors and hues ranging from subtle to dramatic during the Golden Hours.

Even simple subjects take on an added glow.

Take photos when the opportunity presents itself because the lighting changes quickly and then fades away.

Experiment with camera settings

Sunrise taken two minutes later.

When taking photos with a digital camera during the Golden Hours, experiment using white balance settings other than automatic.

Adjusting white balance can change the overall mood of a photo. Also experiment with some of the automatic scene modes built into your camera such as sunrise/sunset and dusk/dawn.

Arrive on the scene early enough to take test shots and adjust settings. When lighting is low, use a tripod to prevent camera shake.

Related reading: Photographing the sun - Tips about exposure, ISO and other settings for photographing the sun with a digital camera.

Sample photos taken during The Golden Hour