Tips for Photographing During Golden Hour

Understanding the Magic of Golden Hour Photography

As a real estate photographer, you know the importance of capturing the essence and beauty of properties to entice potential buyers. One of the most magical times to photograph real estate is during the “Golden Hour.” Golden Hour refers to the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating a warm, soft, and flattering light. In this blog, we’ll explore essential tips to make the most of this enchanting time and capture stunning real estate images.

  1. Scout the Property in Advance: Before the Golden Hour shoot, visit the property during different times of the day to understand its lighting conditions better. Take note of potential angles, points of interest, and how the light interacts with the property at various times.

  2. Weather Forecast: Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as it can significantly impact the Golden Hour’s beauty. Clear skies or partially cloudy conditions tend to create the most enchanting lighting.

  3. Prepare Your Gear: Ensure your camera, lenses, and accessories are clean and ready to go. Consider using a sturdy tripod to stabilize your camera during longer exposures in lower light conditions.

• Clear toothbrushes, soaps, razors, plugs and shampoos from showers and baths

• Remove bins, scales, bathmats and laundry baskets

• Keep towels to a minimum – well placed, colour matched towels are great

• Close the toilet lid, remove toilet brush and spare toilet rolls

• Adding candles or unusual bottles adds some interest

  1. Balancing Interior and Exterior Exposure: During Golden Hour, the contrast between the interior and the exterior can be significant. To capture the best results, use a technique called HDR (High Dynamic Range). Bracket your shots at different exposures and blend them later in post-processing to get a balanced, well-exposed image.

  2. Use Supplemental Lighting: While the Golden Hour light can do wonders for interior shots, you may still need some supplemental lighting to fill in shadows and highlight specific areas. Use softboxes or off-camera flashes to create a warm and inviting ambiance.

  3. Highlight Interior Details: Golden Hour light can add a touch of magic to interior spaces. Emphasize interesting architectural features, such as exposed beams, large windows, or intricate staircases, by allowing the warm light to enhance their beauty.

  1. Keep it Natural: While post-processing can enhance your images, remember to maintain the natural feel of the Golden Hour. Avoid heavy-handed edits that may detract from the charm of the soft, warm light.

  2. Color Correction and White Balance: Depending on the weather conditions and the time of Golden Hour, the light’s color temperature can vary. Adjust the white balance in post-processing to ensure accurate and consistent colors throughout your images.

  3. Enhance Warmth and Contrast: You can enhance the warm and inviting feel of Golden Hour photos by gently increasing the contrast and boosting the warm tones in the image.

Photographing real estate during Golden Hour is an art that requires preparation, attention to detail, and a keen eye for composition. By understanding the unique qualities of Golden Hour light and applying these tips, you can capture stunning images that showcase the true beauty of the properties you photograph. Remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and experiment with different techniques during Golden Hour to refine your skills and create real estate photos that leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.

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