Not just Real Estate photography actually, many photographers have been taught about this special time of the day.

And even this week on the Unconditional Blog there was a blog post highlighting the importance of good photography, featuring a couple of photos that more than likely were taken at this time.

A major issue in Real Estate photography is balancing out all the highlights and shadows. Unfortunately our daylight source of light, the sun makes a photographers work a heck of a lot more difficult than in a “studio” atmosphere where the light can be controlled.

So a photographer works to achieve that “emotive” outside shot that will still allow a viewer to clearly see inside the home, as well as outside.

And when is this time. Well twice a day , dawn & dusk. However more relevant to Real Estate Photography, this time is around dusk, when the sun is/has just set,  allowing a great mix to happen.

This time is referred to as the “Golden Hour.”

A side benefit of shooting at this time, and usually courtesy of the homes incandescent light bulbs, will create the effect on the photo of a “warm” inside.

More modern homes will use halogen or other types of lighting and that will make the home appear to have a more clean / commercial look. Some like it, some don’t as its often perceived as a “cool/sterile” type of light. Then again for a just built minimalistic design it could be quite suitable. Your mileage will vary.

The further south & north you are located away from the equator, usually the shorter the “Golden Hour” is.

Well good news, there’s a site here that takes away all the guesswork. It will calculate the ” Golden Hour”, and it doesn’t matter where you live on the civilised globe or what day, it will help.

It’ll also be a boon for traveling photographers who’d like to know the Golden Hour at a location they are traveling to.