Get up early just before sunrise and go to your local park, nearby river, lake, or yes, even your own backyard. The time starting with the first rays of light and ending an hour later is what the Renaissance masters called the Golden Hour! The first hour of sunlight is the most dramatic. The light is directional. This means it comes from a noticeable and clear direction. The light bathes the trees, mountains, flowers, and everything else that it touches on one side and casts a shadow on the opposite side. The shadows that are cast are long and exaggerated. Since everything is lit from one side and is in shadow on the opposite side the illusion of depth is created. This makes the objects in the photo appear more realistic. Form, shape, texture, and detail are all brought out. This is called Side or Split lighting. Split lighting creates a certain "mood" or "feeling" in your photo. Imagine taking a photo of a lone tree in the meadow surrounded by early morning mist or fog. Perhaps there is a small lake or pond with ducks. If you are a city dweller The Golden Hour makes a cityscape look amazing and tranquil. Bringing out detail and defining the buildings like no other time of day can.

Remember, a good photographer doesn't just record but creates. The morning Golden hour lets you take a rock and create a diamond. Now go out and create a couple of diamonds!

Get the picture!
Manny