The Magic Of Golden Hour Light.
Whether it’s being there for the awakening of a new day, or watching the sun as it bids you good night, the “golden hours,” the hour or so surrounding both sunrise and sunset, are when the magic happens. The best of this golden light, when the sun is low in the sky and traveling through more of the earths atmosphere, is often fleeting, and you won’t witness it from the warmth of your bed. You need to get up and get out!
I believe that half of what it takes to create good landscape imagery is a willingness to be there when this magic happens. As long as you’re willing to rise long before the sun, and/or walk back to your car long after it sets, “Mother Nature” will often take care of the rest.
Here are a few of my “golden hour” images.
Jeff Sinon Photography 
These are awesome!
Thanks Janna. Considering how early I usually get up for these kinds of photos, comments like that let me know the lack of sleep is worth it 🙂
This collection of images really shows why we get up early or stay out late. Thanks for a beautiful selection.
Exactly! My wife thinks I”m nuts. My non photographer friends think I’m nuts. More than a few buyers, after finding out that I didn’t in fact just stroll up to the scene at the crack of noon, fire off a shot and go home, think I’m nuts too. But other photographers, they understand all to well 🙂
I just read a quote from another participant in this weeks challenge that is perfect. “I’ve come to realize that people who don’t like mornings just aren’t getting up early enough.”
Love that quote –
Isn’t it great!
Here’s the blog in question,
http://ajbopp.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/weekly-photo-challenge-the-golden-hour/#comment-1869
though the quote is one he/she left when posting to the Weekly Challenge for this week.
Thanks for the link and another wonderful sunrise. And I too, am glad not everyone gets up early.
You’re welcome. It’s nice to have places all to ourselves, isn’t it.
Jeff,
As usual, all beautiful shots. You make me want to visit the Northeast again – i haven’t been there in many years and never with a camera in my hand….
Well then Scot, it sounds like it’s time for a long overdue visit!
Amazing photos for this week’s challenge.
Thank you very much Melanee 😀
Some truly breath taking images here, Jeff. Thanks for stopping by my blog, that’s how I found you. My favorite is the Winter sunset in Dover – something about it that reels me in.
Thank you very much. I stumbled across yours in the Weekly Challenge post. I had a very strong feeling that there was going to be a lot of great photos this week with a “Golden Hours” theme. I have not been disappointed.
Funny about that Dover image. I was initially very disappointed when arriving at the reservoir(also my favorite water lily spot). I was following those clouds from across town and had hoped they wouldn’t be as far to the right as they ended up being. But with the colors in the sky and the reflection, along with the texture in the ice, my mood brightened considerably after a few minutes. The very best part of the whole evening though was the company. It’s nearly impossible to see in a web sized image, but there was a beaver, hidden in the reflection of the trees, hanging out near the uppermost point in the open water.
How cool is that, a beaver! I can relate to your wanting the “perfect” shot – nature doesn’t always cooperate, sometimes the camera doesn’t either 🙂
That’s half the fun. I gamble on the weather a lot in my chase for the next best photo. I get skunked a lot too. But perfect weather rarely results in the best landscapes.
I know what you mean about cooperation. Have you ever looked at something and just KNEW there was a photograph there, but no matter what you tried you just couldn’t make it work?
Yup – our natural eye can see so much more than the camera!
Glorious! Each and every one.
Thanks!
Wow!!! Phenomenal images
Mandy you are too kind. Thank you!
Your photos are the best!
I like the sound of that, thanks!
The sentiments and the photos……Wow.
Thank you Stephanie!
Jeff these are fabulous! It certainly pays off to get out of the covers early, and get under them later than most folks!
Most definitely! I have no problem forgoing sleep to get a photograph. The one in Tuckerman Ravine required leaving my house at just after midnight to be at the trailhead for a 3 a.m. start time. The one from Mt. Avalon, made at sunset, meant a 3 mile hike out over snow and ice covered, often steep trails, in the dark. I LOVE IT!
I honestly can’t pick a favorite, each picture draws me in. Just lovely!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you very much! I’m glad it was a difficult choice, with no clear “winners or losers.” 🙂
🙂
It’s good to have a little time to catch up again, Jeff, and this is a great way to get back in. I’m drawn to the more subtle ‘scapes–your Layers, Mountains in Green really does it for me!
I’m glad to hear you have a little time for yourself again Gary. Thank you, I wasn’t sure I was going to capture the light the way I say it, or at least the way I saw it in my mind. But it turned out okay I think.
I just knew that you would have a lot of good photos for this challenge! You’re the Golden Hour Guy! 😀
I’m glad I was able to live up to expectations. I have to admit I was pretty happy with this weeks theme. Dare I say it was almost too easy coming up with photos for this one 🙂
this collection’s just stunning! 🙂
Thanks kz, thank you very much!
Great atmospheric shots.
Thank you!
These are beautiful images.
Thanks Colline 🙂
I knew you would have a whole bunch for this challenge.
I’m glad I didn’t let you down. When I saw the theme was “Golden Hours,” I was pretty happy. This is the light I live for.
Great colours…