Top 5 Tips for Shooting Golden Hour. When the World Slows, Softens, and Glows
By Jeff Walsh – Photographer, Educator & Adventurer
Go Chase the Glow
Golden hour is a gift… fleeting, warm, and full of emotion. When you combine thoughtful composition with smart use of NiSi Filters, you’re not just taking photos - you’re creating moments that feel timeless.
There’s something magical about that final hour of daylight aka the golden hour. When the sun dips low, colours warm up, and the whole world seems to take a deep breath before resetting for another day. I’ve always felt this time is more than just perfect light… It's a quiet moment to reflect, to slow down, and to appreciate what has been.
So, grab your camera, enjoy the peace settling over the landscape, and dive into my top 5 golden hour photography tips to help you capture the magic.
1️Chase the light… but learn to read it
Golden hour moves fast. The shadows stretch, tones shift, and the sun drops quicker than you think. Instead of just reacting, take a moment to study the scene.
Watch how the light hits the land, the water, or the clouds. Notice the colour as it transitions from warm golds to soft pinks. This becomes your palette, now, use it with intent.
2️ Use a circular polariser to make your colours sing
This is where your NiSi Filters really shine.
A NiSi Circular Polariser cuts glare, removes reflections, and deepens those rich warm tones, but what’s actually happening?
A polariser works by filtering out scattered, reflected light. When sunlight bounces off water, wet rocks, glass, or even leaves, it creates a harsh white sheen. The polariser only allows certain light waves to pass through and blocks the rest which instantly boosts clarity and colour.
The result?
richer skies
cleaner water
deeper greens
warmer, more natural tones
By reducing glare and letting true colour come through, your images feel more alive without looking overprocessed. I rarely shoot golden hour without one. It's one of the simplest ways to elevate your landscape photography.
3️ Add Graduated ND filters to control highlights
When the sun is low on the horizon, highlights can blow out quickly. A NiSi Graduated ND Filter helps you hold detail in the sky while exposing correctly for the foreground.
Hard grads or soft grads — choose based on the horizon — but the goal is the same:
Balance the exposure so the full scene feels natural, calming, and beautifully lit.
4️ Look for movement, mood, and stories
Golden hour is a time when the world closes down just a little. Birds settle, water calms, the breeze softens.
It’s a peaceful moment that begs to be photographed.
Try capturing:
waves catching the last warm light
soft silhouettes
long shadows stretching across sand or paddocks
wildlife easing into the evening
This is your moment to tell a story. One which is warm, nostalgic, and full of quiet emotion.
5️ Slow down… and let the moment speak
Golden hour isn’t just about the image. It’s about you.
This is the time I often pause, breathe, and think about the day that’s been. The wins, the challenges, and the tiny moments that passed a bit too quickly.
Photography becomes less about rushing and more about appreciating. When you shoot from a place of reflection, your images naturally gain mood, depth, and intention.
Come join me for a workshop at Scapes of Art Gallery, The Entrance, Central Coast. If you cant make a face to face workshop my FREE Online Beginner Course will help get you started in the comfort of your home and at your own pace.
So, are you ready to level up your golden hour photography?
Send me a message, book a workshop, or pop into the gallery for a chat. I’d love to help you chase that next beautiful glow. ✨
