drizztguen77 Loc: Tualatin, OR

As everyone knows the golden hour is the best time to shoot most outdoor pictures. But what I'm wondering is if golden hour is still important on overcast and rainy days? I shoot a lot of waterfalls and typically just go during the day since this time of the year it is overcast and you get soft light all day. But I'm wondering if I would get even better pictures by going during the golden hour even on an overcast or rainy day or if it really wouldn't change anything?

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

In my mind, what makes the Golden Hour so desirable is the light temperature produced at that time of day, and the angle of the light and its effect on shadows and side lighting. On a fully overcast or rainy day you really aren't going to get either, so IMHO, no you won't get any advantage or improvement in you images from shooting during the GH on those days.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I agree. It's just darker.

Leitz Loc: Solms

You may be hard pressed to find a "golden hour" on an overcast or rainy day!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

There is a very minor color temp difference on a cloudy day at golden hour. Otherwise overcast is very blue, but the light is pleasing with soft shadows. No drama, though.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

You can always add warmth to your shot in post if that's all you think your missing by it being overcast...or you may try composites with perhaps a layer of fog...

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

On overcast days the overcast acts like a giant diffuser and can spread the light in a much softer manner than a bright sky would allow. This extends the period during which it is possible to shoot with interesting rather than harsh lighting.

Some types of shooting are said to benefit more from these conditions particularly where damp surfaces or features such as waterfalls are the subject as the harsh reflections from the sunlight are much softened.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

:thumbup:

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

No problem shooting on a overcast or rainy day to capture waterfalls. The Golden hour is a function of a clear day.At times even on a cloudy day you can get a "Golden Hour" color through the clouds. I was coming back from a trip and observed the pink cast through the storm clouds.

storm clouds over barn

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

For me, it depends on what color palate I want. For relatively pastel colors, I go before sunrise or in very late afternoon. For bolder, brighter colors, go midday. With the sun straight overhead and a good polarizer, you minimize reflections and deepen the colors. Further, if the light is very harsh, think black and white pictures (shapes and lines and contrast.) Great pictures can be made at any time. See seven-oaks.net/dickspics for my work.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

The key word is Golden! If the sky isn't clear, the gold is gone.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

What is Golden Hour? 100% clear sky at high noon at the equator? I am at 45 N lattitude, so am I at best half-gold.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Overcast days are a wonderful time to make portraits and such. Reduced contrast makes for a narrower dynamic range that's a better match for digital cameras. Shadows won't excessivly deep and highlights won't be blown.

However, contrary to one response above, an overcast sky will be strongly reflected off any shiny or wet surfaces, causing colors to wash out badly. Use a polarizing filter to reduce the reflections and inprove color saturation. Here are examples, both shot on overcast days. The image on the left was done without any filter, while the one on the right was done using a circular polarizer set to it's strongest effect....


I like to shoot delicate subjects on overcast days, or in the shade if it's a sunny day...


Yes, on overcast days or in shade the light can be rather blue and cool, though sometimes that's exactly what I want (above, left)... but it's pretty easy to warm things up in post-processing if you wish.

By the way, if you're using Auto White Balance, there's a good chance it will cancel out much of the warm light of the "golden hours". But you can dial that back in during post-processing, too.

le boecere

Excellent question, soaro ~ especially interesting for we who live most of our lives in "overcast" (only "52 sunny days" a year, here). My rookie eyes will be reading every reply.

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

Sometimes just before sunset the sun peeks under the clouds. At some locations that can be amazing.