Capturing Magical Wildlife Moments: Tips for Golden Hour Photography

Golden hour photography is not just for landscape photographers.

The golden hour, which refers to the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset, can be an excellent time for wildlife photos too.

Discover the magic of golden hour wildlife photography:

Vibrant, glowing colors
Soft, pleasing light
Stunning catchlights
Dramatic rim lighting

I enjoy taking advantage of the golden hour light when possible, as it can create beautiful and striking images of animals in their natural habitats.

Read about my experience photographing a cold winter sunrise at Nene Washes, a nature reserve in Cambridgeshire, England.

Ready to create your own magical golden hour wildlife images? The tips below will help you make the most of this incredible lighting.

Short Eared Owl

Plan ahead

Before you head out in the early hours, research the habits and habitats of the wildlife you want to photograph, and investigate areas where the animals are likely to be active and the light will be favourable.

Mobile photography planning apps like The Photographer's Ephemeris can be useful tools, providing sunrise and sunset times for specific locations, which can aid in planning and timing your photography sessions.

However, you don't always need to travel far; one of my favourite golden hour photography sessions didn't even involve leaving home, as I snapped this photo of a tiny dunnock on our hedge through the lounge window!

The background was far enough behind the bird to enable me to both capture the golden light and achieve that soft out of focus effect known as bokeh. This photo even netted me a prize in a local photo competition, (which felt a little like cheating).

Photo of Dunnock on our garden hedge at sunrise

Dunnock on the garden hedge

Get Local Knowledge

If staying in an area for a while, spend the first day scouting possible viewpoints.

Consult with local experts or guides to gain insider knowledge about the best locations and times for golden hour wildlife photography in a specific area.

Arrive at your desired photography location early, as popular spots may become crowded with other photographers vying for the best vantage points.

If photographing at a new location, scout it during daylight hours the day before to familiarize yourself with the terrain, potential obstacles, and the best vantage points.

On our first trip to Spurn Point, a narrow peninsula in East Yorkshire, England, it took four days to capture the perfect combination of sunrise light, favorable weather, and wading birds before their migration to the nearby Humber mudflats.

Read the full story on my Spurn Point page.

Partly cloudy skies can enhance the golden hour effect, with clouds reflecting and diffusing the warm, low-angle sunlight, creating a more dramatic and colourful scene.

Curlew flying during Golden Hour

Bamburgh Sunrise

Traveling with others? They might prefer a good night's sleep over golden hour photography. Crazy, eh? Well, you can leave them snoozing and venture out on foot. Leave a note to let your companions know where you have gone.

Take me for example. During a trip to Bamburgh, Northumberland, England's most northern county, I rose before everyone else. So, quietly, I slipped out of our cottage and strolled down the main coastal road.

Even though it was still dark before sunrise, the street lights provided enough illumination for me to navigate safely.

I passed Grace Darling's burial church, eventually finding the narrow street I'd been hunting for.

When I reached the beach, I found another photographer already there, also intending to capture the dawn light. However, there was enough space for both of us to set up without obstructing each other's views.

I marched to the water's edge and swiveled to look inland. What a sight! The golden light was dancing on Bamburgh Castle, mirrored in the nearby saltwater pools. I had timed it perfectly.

The early morning walk to the beach was worth the effort, as I was able to capture the golden light on Bamburgh Castle. However, the additional four miles of walking had left my feet quite sore by the end of the day.

To effectively capture the unique lighting conditions during the golden hours of dawn or dusk, it's crucial to understand how the angle and intensity of the light affect exposure settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Learn to master the nuances of light and exposure by using a histogram, a tool that can transform the way you approach those magical lighting conditions

Bamburgh Castle at sunrise

Compose your shots using the rule of thirds, placing the main subject off-center along one of the horizontal or vertical third lines for a more balanced and visually appealing image.

Think about where your horizon is situated. Smack bang in the centre is not ideal. If, like in my castle photo, there is interest in the foreground, raise the horizon. If the sky is the main feature, keep it lower.

What to Photograph During Golden Hour

The low angle of the early morning light during the golden hour helps to accentuate the textures, colours, and details of the natural world around us, making even familiar scenes appear more vivid and captivating.

For example, the soft light produces wonderful silhouettes of tall objects such as grasses and trees.

During this time, animals are more likely to be active, venturing out for their first meal of the day as the early light offers reduced competition from other hunters, making it safer for them.

After sunset, there is a period known as the "blue hour" when the sky takes on a deep blue hue, which can make pale-colored subjects like birds stand out more prominently. However, this period is typically shorter than an hour before transitioning into complete darkness.

The unique lighting conditions during the golden hour also provide an opportunity for photographers to experiment with different subject matter and techniques, such as silhouettes, backlighting, or long exposures, to create visually striking and creative images.

Golden Hour Photography Gear

There are four pieces of equipment I feel you need in order to shoot golden hour photography:

A camera with a manual exposure option. This allows you to choose the correct exposure for the light.
A tripod to support the camera and prevent movement during long exposures.
A remote shutter release can be a helpful accessory, as it allows you to trigger the camera's shutter without physically touching the camera body, also minimising the risk of camera shake during long exposures.
Shooting castles or landscapes? A wide-angle lens is perfect. For wildlife, get a long lens with a wide aperture. Choose what you can afford/carry.

If new to photography, check out my page on camera settings to learn more about apertures and shutter speeds.

Or use this interactive camera settings widget, below.

Select the scene you're shooting to get started:

Having said this, it's worth remembering that good quality shots can be taken with any camera. In the right hands. So just use what you have available!

Tips for Golden Hour

Golden hour photography offers a great opportunity to capture stunning image. Want a special shot for your wall? Remember, light is key. Here are some tips:

Wide-open aperture: The small amount of light available during golden hour means that you will want to shoot wide open to allow what there is to reach your sensor.
Action shots can be tricky due to low shutter speeds during golden hour. Pick static or slow-moving subjects for best results.
Want to capture action? Try panning. Move your camera as fast as your subject, like a flying bird. You can get away with slower shutter speeds this way.

Witnessing the golden hour in nature is a breathtaking and humbling experience. These fleeting minutes offer stunning photo opportunities for your portfolio.

Challenge yourself to make golden hour photography a regular ritual, and you'll find your wildlife photography skills - and your connection to nature - deepen in incredible ways.

It's time to rise early and get out there and experience the benefits yourself!

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Have you been on a dawn or dusk walk with your camera? What tips would you add to our list? Feel free to share your experiences by using the form below.

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