Just as importantly, will it help your cat photography? My first thought was “Nah! Adding a golden glow or whatever won’t impress cat photographers at all”. Then I looked through some of my captures and I was surprised. Let me give you a very brief introduction with some of my images to inspire you.
A Cat Portrait
Not only have I taken a lot of captures during Golden Hour, they cover a wide range of subjects as you will see.
I admit this first image is not one of my best photographs. I was learning so much and had yet to realise that looking down on a cat was not the most flattering angle. But, see how the golden evening light gives this image of angel Jack a special glow and a friendly warmth. I have not edited this image at all.
This idea is simple and worth a try if you have your favourite cat subject near an evening window or where the late sunshine is falling on a carpet, tiled floor or lawn.
Before you grab a camera, study the way evening light is affecting your cat’s fur. You may get a halo effect or a warm glow – learn how the light behaves to flatter your cat.
James Long explains the concept of Golden Hour well in this quote.
Golden hour actually happens twice per day – the hour immediately after sunrise and the hour immediately before sunset. It is marked by redder, softer sunlight when compared to other times of day (when the Sun is higher in the sky). The sun is really low in the sky, forcing the sunlight to pass through more of the Earth’s atmosphere on its way to the surface, greatly lowering the intensity of the direct light.
James Thomas Long
Golden Hour Outside
This capture is from 2015, believe it or not. It was taken a few days after Peanut crossed the Bridge in September. Peanut (18) was our first and best cat and the whole family felt the loss of her passing.
Silver, still a very young cat in this photograph, spent a long time sat looking out across the garden which was bathed in gold. I have since come to realise what a sensitive cat he is. I know he took the loss of his best friend cat in 2013 very hard.
The light touches the plum blossom on the trees, the grass and also seems to fill the air. It is a touching and magical image. The sun exposed strongly on the right but, for me, this doesn’t matter. No added sunbeams like last week just bright low golden hour sun.
TIP: You may find you take photographs that have a mistake or flaw but this is not important. You can erase small flaws, sharpen areas with a mask if you wish, or you may be happy to step back and love the image anyway.
Unusual Golden Hour Angle
This is one of my favourite Golden Hour cat photos. It is unusual and fun, and it shows you what a miracle a cat’s ear actually is. Angel Dot helped me win my first Muse® Medallion and was a purrfect napping model here.
As the sun was slipping down and about to disappear behind the valley edge I noticed how Dot’s ear looked and I felt I had to take a photo. You will find yourself with the same kind of compulsion to take a photograph without really knowing why.
- When this happens, trust your gut, shoot a fistful of photos. Grab the magical moment.
If you have time, and your subject is static or likely to stay quiet for a moment or two, adjust adjust a setting to improve exposure or increase sharpness.
- On a DSLR/Mirrorless camera move from P to A/AV (Aperture priority) or,
- On a smartphone see if you can change the exposure (darker or lighter).
From now on, look for the golden light and see if you can use it yourself. Be ready it lasts less than an hour!
This Golden Hour post by James Thomas Long is detailed and helpful.
This is a fun smartphone post with helpful tips. Yes you can – really well!
Cat Photographer, Instructor and Writer
Professional Member of the Cat Writers Association,
Winner of the Kuykendall Image Award
Published at the Guardian newspaper
The ear photo is fantastic. Mom needs to check your smartphone tips.
Understanding one’s surroundings, understanding the light and thus nature, are equally as important to a great picture. All too often in life we miss so very much by simply not looking, or put another way, not seeing.
Great article, Marjorie, and lovely images too.
I have a lot of ‘Golden Hour’ images, I never thought too much about it, other than it seemed awfully hard to get the ‘tint’ off of them, LOL!
You can see all the tiny blood vessels in Angel Dot’s ear. How cool is that!