golden hours
Photographer's favorite times
Golden hours most commonly refers to the periods shortly after sunrise and before sunset when sunlight is soft, warm, and diffused—prized by photographers and filmmakers for flattering, atmospheric images: We scheduled the shoot for golden hour.
In medicine, the golden hour is the critical first hour after traumatic injury when treatment most affects survival.
The plural sometimes describes any brief, precious window of opportunity.
Illumination behind a display
- warm tonesHues suggesting heat
- soft shadowsGradual light-to-dark transitions
- flareSudden bright burst
- exposureState of being unprotected
composition · aperture · silhouette · portrait · landscape · natural light · diffused · lens
Dimming after sundown
- twilightLight after sunset
- sundownDay's end moment
- evening glowLight at day's end
- afterglowLingering light or feeling
horizon · nightfall · eventide · silhouette · crimson · vesper · dimming light · last light
Longing for the past
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- peacefulnessState of quiet tranquility
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
wistfulness · longing · reflection · contemplation · stillness · solitude · romance · intimacy
Day's first glow
- daybreakMorning's first light
- first lightEarliest morning brightness
- morning glowLight at sunrise
- auroraAtmospheric light display
sunup · horizon · amber light · early morning · cockcrow · awakening · break of day · sunbeam
backlight
Illumination behind a display
- warm tonesHues suggesting heat
- soft shadowsGradual light-to-dark transitions
- flareSudden bright burst
exposure · composition · aperture · silhouette · portrait · landscape · natural light · diffused · lens · filter
dusk
Dimming after sundown
- twilightLight after sunset
- sundownDay's end moment
- evening glowLight at day's end
afterglow · horizon · nightfall · eventide · silhouette · crimson · vesper · dimming light · last light · farewell
nostalgia
Longing for the past
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- peacefulnessState of quiet tranquility
melancholy · wistfulness · longing · reflection · contemplation · stillness · solitude · romance · intimacy · wonder
dawn
Day's first glow
- daybreakMorning's first light
- first lightEarliest morning brightness
- morning glowLight at sunrise
aurora · sunup · horizon · amber light · early morning · cockcrow · awakening · break of day · sunbeam · radiance
warmth
Heat you feel
- luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- softYielding to touch
diffused · hazy · dreamy · radiant · glowing · amber · honeyed · burnished · suffused · shimmering
golden hoursharsh light
Intense, unflattering illumination
blue hour · flat light · cool light · white light · artificial light
golden hourshigh noon
Solar zenith, or confrontation
midday · dead of night · midnight · noon · twelve o'clock