The sun hasn’t come up yet. It’s dark outside and everyone is asleep. Or, your workday is over. People are hungry and going home. Do you veer off from what you would typically do in these situations, like stay in bed or go home for dinner, and instead pick up your camera and head outdoors? If you want to seize the opportunity of the Golden Hour, the answer would be YES. Also known as the Magic Hour, the Golden Hour in photography refers to the first and last hour of sunlight – i.e., the period after sunrise and before sunset. At this time of the day, sunlight infuses the world with a soft, warm, diffuse, and ethereal golden glow. This effect is due to the fact the sun is low in the sky, resulting in light rays having to pass a longer distance through the atmosphere. Violet and blue wavelengths tend to scatter, while the warmer tones endure to reach the surface of the earth where they enrich the colors of the world. By contrast, in the middle of the day, a time that’s usually more convenient to venture out for photography, the direct light of the overhead sun can be overly harsh, creating deep shadows and bright highlights that fall outside the dynamic range of the camera. The resulting underexposed and overexposed areas of the photograph are less likely to occur during the less extreme and more soothing light of the Golden Hour. That’s the short story. The longer story, as is often the case in this world of light and color, is more complex. Some photographers say that cold blue shadows creep into the landscape near sunrise, which may be desirable if you want the shadows to create a sense of depth, provide an interesting contrast with warm tones, or help present a graphic look. Others say that the best light is right before the sun appears and right after it sets, which is why serious landscape photographers are early risers who have their equipment set up before dawn. If you can see the sun as a glowing ball near the horizon in a fairly clear sky, the light, even though warm, will be low, direct, and raking, which produces long and deep shadows for some objects (like trees), interesting form in other subjects (like portraits, when the light comes from the side as opposed to the front or back), and amplified texture for various elements of the scene (like grass and leaves). On the other hand, if the low sun is hidden by trees or buildings, or especially when behind clouds, the light will be more diffuse, revealing a subtle range of colors, tones, and textures, with very few shadows. If the sun is moving in and out of clouds, or reflecting light off them, the quality of the light can change dramatically and swiftly. Even a matter of minutes, or seconds, may make a big difference, which keeps watchful photographers on their toes while also delighting them. Like the weather in New England, if you don’t like the light during sunrise or sunset, wait a few minutes. A variety of other factors will affect the duration of the Golden Hour and the quality of its light. The steepness and speed of the sun’s movement will vary depending on one’s latitude, altitude, and the time of year, with the Golden Hour tending to be longer at higher latitudes, lower altitudes, and during the summer. Reflected light from the buildings and landscape of a particular location will affect colors and tones. In urban environments sunsets may be more dramatic than sunrises due to pollutants from daytime activities that collect in the atmosphere - which aren’t great for one’s health but do provide a reflective layer for vibrant colors. So the Golden Hour isn’t always golden in the light it offers. Instead, it’s a golden opportunity to experience the many variations of light that unfold in a short period of time – patterns of colors, tones, shadows, and textures that surface briefly in this particular time and place, then disappear, perhaps forever. What makes a photograph unique is its potential to capture such fleeting moments of light. This is what makes it the Magic Hour. The Psychological Qualities of the Golden Hour So far, I’ve described mostly the visual qualities of the Golden Hour. What about the psychological reactions to it? When we see a photo taken during sunrise and sunset, what ideas and emotions does it stir in us? To answer that question, all we have to do is consider what sunset and sunrise have meant to us humans over the course of our history. Some would say that buried deep within our collective unconscious lie ancient memories of returning to the cave - to safety, warmth, and family as the sun disappears below the horizon. The uncertainty and possible dangers of night approach. After the darkness, the sun rises once again, bringing the promises and challenges of a new day to live. That eternal cycle of light and dark created our archeytypic patterns of thinking and feeling about the Magic Hour. Sunset symbolizes the end of something – of the light, a stage or condition in one’s life, or the end of

FOR THE GUY REFERENCED ABOVE: NANPA PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL FIELD PRACTICES NANPA believes that following these practices promotes the well-being of the location, subject and photographer. Every place, plant, and animal, whether above or below water, is unique, and cumulative impacts occur over time. Therefore, one must always exercise good individual judgment. It is NANPA's belief that these principles will encourage all who participate in the enjoyment of nature to do so in a way that best promotes good stewardship of the resource. Environmental: knowledge of subject and place Learn patterns of animal behavior--know when not to interfere with animals' life cycles. Respect the routine needs of animals--remember that others will attempt to photograph them, too. Use appropriate lenses to photograph wild animals--if an animal shows stress, move back and use a longer lens. Acquaint yourself with the fragility of the ecosystem--stay on trails that are intended to lessen impact. Social: knowledge of rules and laws When appropriate, inform managers or other authorities of your presence and purpose--help minimize cumulative impacts and maintain safety. Learn the rules and laws of the location--if minimum distances exist for approaching wildlife, follow them. In the absence of management authority, use good judgement--treat the wildlife, plants and places as if you were their guest. Prepare yourself and your equipment for unexpected events--avoid exposing yourself and others to preventable mishaps. Individual: expertise and responsibilities Treat others courteously--ask before joining others already shooting in an area. Tactfully inform others if you observe them engaging in inappropriate or harmful behavior--many people unknowingly endanger themselves and animals. Report inappropriate behavior to proper authorities--don't argue with those who don't care; report them. Be a good role model, both as a photographer and a citizen--educate others by your actions; enhance their understanding. Adopted February 3, 1996 by the NANPA board of directors.