Taking golden hour photos on an iPhone
A phone does well in low warm light, but it tends to brighten everything and wash out the colour. A few small habits keep it.
When, where you are
Best for this: golden hour
Allow about 10 minutes before it starts. Adjust for your own walk.
Reminders are set on the home page: pick a lead time, then switch on notifications or subscribe in your calendar.
Bring, and watch for
- Tap the brightest part of the sky and slide the exposure down. The colour comes back.
- Turn the flash off. Move your feet before you zoom.
- Wipe the lens. Low sun shows every smear.
Two questions
Should I use Portrait mode?
For people, yes, if the edges look right. For landscapes, use the normal camera.
Why does the sun look blown out?
The phone exposes for the dark parts. Tap the sky and lower the slider.
Golden hour, blue hour and magic hour: the definitions · Golden hour calculator for any place and date