Golden Hour Magic: Enhance Your Photos with Golden Hour Lightroom Presets

Golden hour, that magical time around sunrise and sunset when the sky is filled with warm hues and soft light, can transform ordinary photos into breathtaking masterpieces. But what if you could enhance that natural beauty even further? Enter golden hour Lightroom presets! These incredible tools can elevate your golden hour photography to new heights, giving your photos that extra touch of dreaminess and warmth. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, this article will introduce you to some of the best golden hour presets available and provide tips on choosing the perfect one for your style. Let’s dive in!

Overview of Golden Hour Lightroom Presets

Adobe Lightroom, a renowned photo editing software, is compatible with golden hour presets used by photographers globally. These presets allow you to quickly apply specific adjustments to your photos, enhancing warm tones, reducing shadows, and increasing contrast to bring out the natural beauty of golden hour light. They are compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile, making them accessible to photographers of all skill levels using Adobe Camera and Adobe Camera Raw.

We’ve gathered a list of top-rated golden hour presets, each distinguished by their unique features and advantages, to assist you in finding the perfect one:

1. Best for Warm Tones & Bohemian Vibes: Embrace Presets Wild Lavender Collection

2. Best for Portraits & Landscapes: Marigold Lightroom Preset

3. Best for Cozy & Inviting Atmosphere: Lush Amber Lightroom Preset

4. Best for Early Sunset Photos: Lapse of Shutter Early Sunset Preset

5. Best for Soft Warmth: Golden Warmth Presets by SparkleStock

6. Best for All-Round Use: Lou & Marks Golden Hour Presets

7. Best for Dreamy Sunsets: Lemon and Lace Golden Hour Presets

8. Best Free Option: Golden Hour Dunes Presets

Embrace Presets Wild Lavender Collection

 

Price: $59

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 10 presets

Pros:

• Designed for all photographers and skin tones

• Enhances golden hour photos with warm tones and creamy whites

Cons:

• Works best just before golden hour

The bohemian aesthetic of the Embrace Presets Wild Lavender Collection, coupled with its knack for enhancing golden hour photos, drew our attention.

Key features of all the presets include:

• Adding warmth to the tone

• Balancing highlights and shadows

• Particularly well-suited for portrait photography

• Versatile enough for landscape shots

One thing to note, however, is that these presets truly shine when used just before golden hour when light is abundant.

Overall, the Wild Lavender Collection is a fantastic choice for photographers looking to add a touch of whimsy to their golden hour photos.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 5/5

• Versatility: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Marigold Lightroom Preset

Price: $29

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, Lightroom Mobile, and Lightroom Desktop

• Includes 1 preset

Pros:

• Versatile for various types of photos and lighting conditions

• Ability to tweak the intensity of the golden glow, warmth, and highlights

Cons:

• May require additional adjustments for optimal results

The Marigold Lightroom Preset:

• Complements both portraits and landscapes

• Emphasizes warm tones and adds a charming golden glow

• Works harmoniously with various lighting conditions

• Reliable choice for any golden hour photography session

• Offers customization options to tweak intensity of golden glow, warmth, and highlights to your liking

While the Marigold Lightroom Preset can produce stunning results, it may require some additional adjustments depending on the original image. Overall, this preset is an excellent choice for photographers looking to add a touch of gold to their photos.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 5/5

• Versatility: 5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Lush Amber Lightroom Preset

Price: $39

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 1 preset

Pros:

• Enhances warm tones and brings out amber hues in warm colors

• Ideal for cozy and inviting atmosphere

Cons:

• Works best with fall-themed or foliage shots

For those aiming to instill a cozy and welcoming ambiance in their golden hour photos, the Lush Amber Lightroom Preset is ideal. With its rich and warm tones, this preset brings out the amber hues in your images, making them look more vibrant and alive. We found it to be particularly well-suited for fall-themed or foliage shots, where the warm tones can truly shine. However, its versatility allows it to work well with other types of photos as well.

The Lush Amber Lightroom Preset is a fantastic choice for photographers seeking to create a warm and cozy vibe in their golden hour images.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 4/5

• Versatility: 4/5

• Overall: 4/5

Lapse of Shutter Early Sunset Preset

Price: $49

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 1 preset

Pros:

• Designed for early sunset photos

• Adds a soft and romantic touch with delicate color grading

Cons:

• May require exposure and white balance adjustments for optimal results

Designed explicitly for early sunset photography, the Lapse of Shutter Early Sunset Preset stands out. This preset adds a soft and romantic touch to your images with its delicate color grading, making it perfect for those seeking to create a dreamy atmosphere. We loved the subtle enhancements this preset offers, but it’s important to note that you may need to tweak the exposure and white balance settings for optimal results.

Overall, the Lapse of Shutter Early Sunset Preset is an excellent option for photographers looking to capture the enchanting beauty of early sunsets.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 4/5

• Versatility: 4/5

• Overall: 4/5

Golden Warmth Presets by SparkleStock

Price: $59

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 10 presets

Pros:

• Adds soft golden warmth to sunset photos

• Works harmoniously with all colors for balanced results

Cons:

• None

SparkleStock’s Golden Warmth Presets, an excellent bundle, imparts a gentle golden warmth to your sunset images. What sets this pack apart is its ability to work harmoniously with all colors, ensuring a balanced and beautiful result. We found these presets to be perfect for a variety of photography styles, from landscapes to portraits.

The Golden Warmth Presets by SparkleStock are a fantastic choice for photographers looking to add a touch of magic to their golden hour photos without overpowering the original colors or golden tones.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 5/5

• Versatility: 5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Lou & Marks Golden Hour Presets

Price: $49

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 10 presets

Pros:

• Specifically designed for golden hour photography

• Enhances warm tones and adds a touch of magic

Cons:

• None

Truly embodying the spirit of golden hour photography, Lou & Marks Golden Hour Presets is an exceptional collection. These presets enhance warm tones and add a touch of magic to your images, making them perfect for creating stunning golden hour photos. We were impressed by the versatility of these presets, as they work well with a variety of photography styles and subjects.

The Lou & Marks Golden Hour Presets are an excellent choice for photographers who want to make the most of the golden hour and create breathtaking images.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 5/5

• Versatility: 5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Lemon and Lace Golden Hour Presers

Price: $69 Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 10 presets

Pros:

• Brings out golden hues and dreamy atmosphere

• Perfect for creating stunning sunset photos

Cons:

• None

With their ability to highlight golden hues and create a dreamy atmosphere, the Lemon and Lace Golden Hour Presets are an outstanding set for crafting stunning sunset images. These presets work well with a variety of photography styles and subjects, allowing you to create breathtaking images with ease. We loved the dreamy, enchanting atmosphere these presets create and found them to be a fantastic addition to any photographer’s toolkit.

The Lemon and Lace Golden Hour Presets are a must-have for anyone looking to capture the magic of golden hour in their photos.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5

• Design: 5/5

• Versatility: 5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best Free Option: Golden Hour Dunes Presets

Price: Free

Specifications:

• Compatible with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile

• Includes 3 presets

Pros:

• Free to download and use

• Offers a taste of golden hour magic

Cons:

• Limited customization options

For those interested in testing presets without immediate purchase, the Golden Hour Dunes Presets serve as an excellent free alternative. These presets offer a taste of golden hour magic, enhancing your photos with a naturally dramatic golden hour effect. While the customization options may be limited compared to paid presets, the Golden Hour Dunes Presets are an excellent starting point for photographers who want to experience the benefits of golden hour presets without breaking the bank.

Rating:

• Price: 5/5

• Design: 3/5

• Versatility: 3/5

• Overall: 3.5/5

Choosing the Perfect Golden Hour Lightroom Preset

 

While choosing the ideal golden hour Lightroom preset, keep in mind factors like the preset’s overall toning and style, its treatment of various photo elements, and its compatibility with your unique photography style. Additionally, think about the desired outcome you want to achieve with your golden hour photos. Do you prefer a warm, soft light, or are you looking for something more dramatic and contrasted? Keep these preferences in mind when browsing through presets.

It’s also essential to experiment with different presets to find the one that best suits your style and needs. Don’t be afraid to test out several options before settling on the perfect one. Remember that presets are meant to serve as a starting point, so don’t hesitate to make additional adjustments to achieve your desired look.

Creating Your Own Golden Hour Lightroom Preset

For those with a creative streak wishing to create a custom golden hour preset, here’s how you can do it:

1. Launch your image in Lightroom and adjust the basic parameters like exposure, contrast, and whites.

2. Use the HSL panel or Color Mixer panel to adjust the hue, saturation, and luminance of each color.

3. Focus on enhancing warm tones and reducing cool tones to create that golden hour glow.

Using the Radial Filter, follow these steps to achieve the perfect golden hour look:

1. Draw a circle around the area you want to adjust.

2. Increase the exposure while adding a yellow or orange tone. This will help simulate the warm light of the golden hour.

3. Experiment with the Vibrance and Saturation tools to adjust the intensity of colors in your image.

4. Consider making additional adjustments to achieve the perfect golden hour look.

Best Camera Setting for Golden Hour

Correct camera settings are paramount for capturing breathtaking golden hour photos. Here are the recommended settings:

1. Switch the white balance to cloudy mode to adjust the camera for the warm light of the golden hour.

2. Set the aperture to a high value (ideally f/16 or f/22) to ensure that more of the scene is in focus.

3. Underexpose the image by two stops to capture more of the warm tones of the golden hour.

4. Shoot in manual mode to have more control over the exposure settings.

In addition to these camera settings, consider using a tripod to keep the camera steady, a polarizing filter to reduce glare, and a reflector to bounce light back onto the subject. Pay attention to the direction of the light and the composition of the scene to ensure you’re making the most of that magical golden hour light.

Installing and Using Your Lightroom Preset

After selecting your ideal golden hour Lightroom preset, proceed to install and utilize it. To install the preset, download the preset pack from the website and follow the instructions provided to add it to Lightroom. Make sure your Lightroom software is up-to-date, as older versions may not be compatible with some presets.

To apply the preset to your photo, simply open your image in Lightroom, click on the preset you want to apply, and watch as the magic unfolds. Feel free to tweak the settings to achieve your desired look and make any additional adjustments necessary for optimal results. Remember, presets are designed to serve as a starting point, so don’t hesitate to experiment and make the image your own.

Summary

Golden hour presets can transform your photos, enhancing the warm tones and dreamy atmosphere of this magical time of day. With a variety of presets available, from the bohemian vibes of the Wild Lavender Collection to the cozy ambiance of Lush Amber, there’s a preset to suit every photographer’s style. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, explore the world of golden hour presets and discover the perfect tool to elevate your photography game.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get golden hour lighting in Lightroom?

Get golden hour lighting in Lightroom with these easy steps: Color Correction + Exposure Compensation, applying a Preset, using the Adjustment Brush to pull focus, using a Radial Filter for Drama and Focus, and finally, enhancing the light.

What is the golden hour in Lightroom mobile?

The Golden Hour preset in Lightroom Mobile helps you achieve beautiful, bright white tones with vibrant colors just in a few clicks. Perfect for freeing up more time to shoot and get creative!

Can I use golden hour presets on photos taken outside of golden hour?

Yes! Golden hour presets can be applied to other photos to create a warm, dreamy atmosphere.

Are golden hour presets compatible with all versions of Lightroom?

Yes, golden hour presets are generally compatible with all versions of Lightroom, including Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile - but it's always best to check the compatibility before downloading!

Can I use these presets on both RAW and JPEG files?

Yes! You can use golden hour presets on both RAW and JPEG files, with better results from the former.