Golden Hour

JoyFresh in the shade

JoyFresh with late afternoon sunlight

When I photographed JoyFresh at the Shire Highlands last Sunday, the sun was going down, there were a few clouds, and there are trees around that throw shade on the stage. No stage lights. So it was a quick changing situation. With every move of Joy the light on her face changed.

Here are two photos from the show, made only 6 seconds apart. One with direct low sun on her face, one without. The difference should show you how important the sun is. Low sun is a favorite type of light for me, and many other photographers. We sometimes refer to the last hour before sunset as “golden hour” because it gives you photographs as precious as gold, and because the colour of sunlight at that time is golden.

In a situation like this, predicting the movements of the artist, having the camera ready at the eye for a longer time, and making many photos are the best option for getting a photo where pose, expression and light come together.

Photographing a stage show is not easy, but it can be very rewarding if you get a photo like the one with the sun in her face!