There is a specific quality to the light just after sunrise that cannot be replicated in a studio. It's not just the color temperature (approx 3500K); it's the angle. The shadows stretch out like long fingers, adding depth to even the flattest landscapes.
The Technical Breakdown
Shooting into the sun is tricky. Your instinct is to protect highlights, but modern sensors have incredible dynamic range.
My Golden Hour Settings:
- Metering: Highlight Weighted. I let the shadows go black if needed, but I never clip the sun.
- Aperture: f/8 for sunstars, f/2.0 for dreaminess.
- White Balance: Shade or Cloudy (approx 6500K). This exaggerates the warmth. If you leave it on Auto, the camera will "fix" the gold and turn it blue.
Morning vs. Evening
Not all Golden Hours are created equal. Sunset light is hazy, filled with the dust and pollution kicked up during the day. Sunrise light is crisp, clean, and often accompanied by mist. If you want "ethereal," shoot sunrise. If you want "dramatic," shoot sunset.