Lesson 2. The golden hour and the blue hour

The golden hour is roughly the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. The sun sits low over the horizon, and its rays pass through a thick layer of air, so the light turns warm (golden) and soft and comes from the side. Why it looks so good: — The low sun casts long, soft shadows that bring out depth and texture. — The warm color makes skin look healthy and pleasant, and landscapes picturesque. — The contrast between light and shadow is moderate, so it's easier for the phone camera to “pull out” both the sky and the ground. Right after sunset (or before sunrise) comes the blue hour: the sun is already below the horizon, the sky is an even, deep blue, and the light is very soft. It's the best time to shoot a city: the streetlights and windows are already on, but the sky hasn't gone black yet — the shot comes out balanced. A practical tip: the golden and blue hours are short. Arrive early, choose your shot, and wait — the light changes literally every few minutes.