Urban Photography During the Golden Hour

Cityscape Photography  •  Lighting  •  Photography Tips  •  Smartphone Photography

In a recent video, photographer Clifford Pickett from Urban iPhone Photography takes us on a stunning journey through one of the city’s most iconic locations – the Brooklyn Bridge – at the crack of dawn. With the backdrop of a golden sunrise, Pickett discusses and demonstrates the art and technique of capturing photos during the ‘Golden Hour,’ a photographer’s holy grail:

Golden hour refers to the brief period after sunrise or before sunset, where the daylight is softer and warmer, leading to distinctive and stunning photographs. Why is this specific timeframe so coveted by photographers? Pickett lists a few compelling reasons:

• Color: The warm golden hues during this time are unparalleled, lending an ethereal feel to the pictures.
• Light Angle: The low-angle light creates unique and engaging shadow patterns, adding depth and texture to the images.
• Fewer Distractions: If you’re shooting at sunrise, the chances are that there will be fewer people around, resulting in cleaner and more focused shots.
• Soft Light: Golden hour light is less harsh, reducing the chances of stark contrasts and shadows that may mar the photograph.

Techniques to Capture the Perfect Golden Hour Photos

Armed with these insights, Pickett then takes us through his process of capturing various shots of the Brooklyn Bridge, offering useful techniques along the way:

• Contextual Framing: Pickett suggests standing a bit farther back to encapsulate the entirety of the magnificent scene in front of you. He illustrates this by capturing a panoramic image of the sunrise-lit cityscape from the bridge.
• Interesting Compositions: Moving along the bridge, Pickett advises us to include interesting and prominent elements, such as the bridge’s cables, in the compositions. He also stresses the importance of shooting in the most engaging part of the skyline.
• Creative Cropping: For compositions where unwanted elements creep into the frame, Pickett shows us how to use cropping creatively, transforming a horizontal shot into an almost panoramic image by cropping out the less exciting lower half of the picture.
• Close-up Details: Pickett shifts focus from the wide cityscape to the top arches of the Brooklyn Bridge, highlighting the use of zoom to capture intricate details illuminated by the golden glow.
• Shadow Play: As the low-angled sun casts long shadows, Pickett advises us to use these as unique elements in the composition, emphasizing the use of symmetry in such instances.
• Experimentation with Perspectives: Pickett urges photographers to experiment with different lenses and orientations. He showcases the dramatic difference a .5X lens can make in emphasizing the geometric patterns formed by the cables.
• Waiting for the Right Moment: Lastly, Pickett talks about patience and timing in photography. Sometimes, waiting for the people to move out of the frame or for the light to hit the subject just right can result in a perfect photograph.

The video by Clifford Pickett not only demonstrates the power and beauty of golden hour photography but also provides practical tips to elevate our photography skills. As he beautifully sums up, “Amazing light, beautiful golden warm tones, that low angle light… All those things add up to allow us to create amazing images. And that only happens at golden hour.” So, let’s wake up early or stay out a little later and make the most of the golden hour. Your photographs will thank you for it!

For further training: The Urban iPhone Photography Course at 80% Off