Ah, the golden hour, that magical time when photographers emerge from their editing caves to maniacally snap as many portraits as they can before the sun goes down. Ok, I exaggerated slightly, but most of us do love the golden hour. Here are some helpful tips to get better shots during that special time.
The golden hour is so named because the color balance of sunlight shifts as more blue light is scattered, and the increased distance light has to travel through the atmosphere decreases direct light, creating a warm, soft glow that photographers love for obvious reasons. In this great video from Manny Ortiz, you'll learn how to take advantage of that special sunlight. The "1, 2, 3," trick for preventing a model from having to squint is also great to use on large group shots to make sure everyone has their eyes open when you take the shot. As Ortiz demonstrates, if you're looking to bask a bit further in that glow, try removing your lens hood and creating some intentional flare and loss of contrast. Lastly, remember, if you're shooting with the sun behind your model and want to kick in a little fill, the humble 5-in-1 reflector is a very versatile and effective option.
