How to Create a Golden Hour Effect in Lightroom (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Many photos miss the warm, glowing tones that make images feel magical. Shots taken at the wrong time of day can look flat, cold, or lifeless, leaving your subjects or landscapes lacking that natural golden charm.

The good news is you don’t need perfect lighting to achieve that effect. Lightroom offers simple tools that let you recreate the golden hour glow in any photo. By adjusting colors, highlights, and shadows, you can bring warmth and softness to your images.

Follow this guide, and you’ll learn step by step how to transform ordinary shots into vibrant, golden-hour-inspired photos that look professional and inviting.

What does the Golden Hour Look?

The golden hour look happens when photos are taken during the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset. The light is soft, warm, and even. It gives skin a natural glow and makes colors appear richer. Shadows are gentle, and the overall mood feels calm and inviting.

Photographers often aim for this light because it makes subjects look their best without harsh highlights or deep shadows. The glow can make landscapes, portraits, and outdoor scenes feel more vibrant and alive.

Why Create the Golden Hour Effect in Lightroom

Golden hour light gives photos a warm, soft glow. It makes skin look gentle and natural. Shadows are softer, and colors feel richer. This effect can turn an ordinary photo into one that feels alive. Many photographers use it to make landscapes, portraits, and city shots look more inviting. Creating the golden hour effect in Lightroom lets you get this look any time of day.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the Golden Hour Effect

Golden hour gives photos a soft, warm look. You can mimic it in editing by following these steps.

Adjust the White Balance for Warmth

Start by warming the white balance. Move the temperature slider slightly to the right. This adds a natural golden tone to the photo.

Enhance Soft Glow With the Highlights & Shadows

Lower the highlights a little to prevent bright spots. Raise the shadows slightly to keep details in darker areas. This makes the light look soft.

Add Warmth Using the HSL Panel

Use the HSL panel to boost orange and yellow tones. This strengthens the golden effect in skies, skin, and surroundings.

Create a Sunlight Glow With Radial Filters

Draw a radial filter over areas where light should fall. Increase exposure and warmth inside the filter. It looks like sunlight shining naturally.

Use the Tone Curve to Add Depth

Adjust the tone curve gently. Lift the midtones for brightness and slightly lower the shadows. This adds depth without making the photo dark.

Apply Color Grading for Final Warm Tones

Finish with color grading. Add warm tones to highlights and midtones. Keep shadows slightly cooler to maintain contrast. This gives a polished, golden hour look.

Extra Tips for a Natural Golden Hour Look

Golden hour light can make photos warm and soft. To get a natural look, aim for even lighting on your subject. Move around to find the best angle. Keep your settings simple to keep colors true. Small changes, like adjusting your distance from the light, can make a big difference. Gentle reflections or shadows add depth without looking harsh.

Final Thoughts

Creating a golden hour effect in Lightroom can make any photo feel warm and inviting. You don’t need the actual sunrise or sunset to get this look. By adjusting white balance, highlights, shadows, and colors, you can bring a natural glow to your images.

Small edits, like adding a radial filter or tweaking the tone curve, can make a big difference. These simple steps let you turn ordinary photos into ones that feel soft, rich, and full of life. Practice these techniques, and your photos will have that golden hour charm anytime you want.

FAQs:

Can I create the golden hour effect on any photo?
Yes. You can add warmth and soft light to photos taken at any time using Lightroom’s tools.

Do I need advanced editing skills?
No. The steps are beginner-friendly. Simple adjustments to white balance, highlights, and colors are enough.

Will this effect work for both portraits and landscapes?
Yes. It works for people, nature, cityscapes, and almost any outdoor scene.

How do I keep the effect looking natural?
Make small adjustments and avoid overdoing highlights or saturation. Gentle changes keep the photo realistic.

Can I save this as a preset?
Yes. Once you find settings you like, you can save them as a preset to apply quickly to other photos.