Here’s a common scenario that many of us have faced on occasion: You travel to a distant location that you’ll likely never visit again and get totally skunked by the weather despite the numerous opportunities that abound. We not talking about rain or storms, but rather boring blue skies every single day.

Fortunately, there’s a straightforward post processing trick that will enable Lightroom users of all skill levels to transform these ho-hum images into attention-grabbing winners with the WOW factor. And that’s what instructor Nickolas Warner explains how to do in the next 10 minutes.

Warner is a globe-trotting pro who specializes in landscape and travel photography. He’s also a respected educator whose YouTube channel is designed to help others up their game in the field and behind the computer by gaining insight into how he shoots and processes his images in Photoshop and Lightroom.

Today’s example is a well-composed image captured at Sapat Beach in faraway Pakistan on one of those days that everyone loves—except for photographers, i.e. there’s nary a cloud in sight. He jumps into Lightroom’s Develop module by pressing the keyboard shortcut “D.” He next walks you through several preliminary adjustments that will help retrieve a bit of dynamic range.

Warner chooses the Adobe Neutral profile that he says is a good choice for images shot against the sun. Then he increases overall exposure, opens the shadows and blacks, and takes down those highlights. He also modifies contrast and brings up vibrance to recapture some of the color that was muted due to the Neutral profile in use.

At this point his base image is ready to go as soon as he eliminates a few distracting dust spots. Now it’s time for the meat of the tutorial—namely dealing with the bland sky—and Warner devotes the remainder of the video to demonstrating the simple step-by-step process. Compare his before/after images and you’ll be very impressed.

When the video concludes head over to Warner’s popular YouTube channel where there are many more interesting photo adventures and how-to videos to be found.

We also encourage you to watch the tutorial we featured with an accomplished Australian pro who reveals five essential post-processing tips that he says every landscape photographer should learn immediately.

We all love photographing birds, whether we’re shooting a local reserve, a nearby park, or even in the comfort of our backyard. Unfortunately, there’s a common focusing problem that occurs when the subject is perched among tree branches that can easily fool a camera’s AF system.

In the video below from expert Paul Miguel you’ll learn an effective solution for capturing sharp bird photos when distracting elements like branches or foliage make this difficult. He’s a professional wildlife photographer based in the UK, specializing in birds, with a popular YouTube channel dedicated to simplifying the process for beginner and novice shooters .

Miguel explains why a camera’s Focus-Tracking mode doesn’t get the job done, and why he recommends choosing the Spot Focus mode instead and how it can be used to pick out a bird through the branches. He admits that that this approach may fail when the cluster of branches is really thick, in which case you may think it’s time to select Manual focus instead.

But not so quick, because what if the bird suddenly moves to a less obstructed position where autofocus can be really helpful for nailing the shot? This is the reason for Miguel’s “hybrid” focusing technique that he demonstrates in the next seven minutes.

Miguel explains the process like this: “I temporarily lock the autofocus, grab the focus ring on my lens, and focus manually, and this works well if you’re using back-button focus.” Then if the bird moves to a less-cluttered spot it’s a simple matter to reengage autofocus and fire away.

As you’ll see, there are a few ways you can configure the camera appropriately depending upon your preferred method of shooting. Miguel urges you to be willing to experiment and accept the fact that there may be a few frustrating failed attempts, because there’s no doubt that these situations can be a hit-or-miss affair.

That said, your odds of success will increase dramatically by taking the aforementioned hybrid approach and understanding the specific details you’ll learn as this episode unfolds. Then head over to Miguel’s instructional YouTube channel and consider joining his 43K enthusiastic subscribers.

And be sure not to miss the earlier tutorial we featured with an Australian pro who insists that shutter speed is your camera’s most power exposure option for capturing unique photographs with a creative flair.

If you’ve ever wondered how to capture those stunning nature photos drenched in warm, glowing light, the answer is simple: it’s all about golden hour. That magical time just after sunrise or right before sunset delivers the best lighting conditions for outdoor photography.

But knowing when golden hour happens isn’t enough—you need the right approach to take full advantage of it. In this guide, I’ll share my top golden hour photography tips to help you capture breathtaking landscapes and nature scenes in the most beautiful light of the day.

What Is Golden Hour in Photography?

Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky. During this time, natural light takes on a warm, golden hue, with long shadows and soft highlights. It’s widely regarded as the best light for outdoor photos, whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or wildlife.

Why does it look so good? As sunlight travels through more of the atmosphere, it scatters shorter blue wavelengths and leaves behind the reds, oranges, and yellows. The result: rich, cinematic tones and flattering light.

Golden Hour Photography Tip #1: Plan Ahead and Know Your Light

Timing is everything. Use apps like PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris to pinpoint exactly when golden hour starts and ends in your location. Typically, you’ll have about 30–60 minutes of optimal light, so give yourself a head start by arriving early.

Scouting your location in advance is a game-changer. Knowing where the sun will rise or set helps you frame your shots and avoid scrambling when the light starts changing.

Golden Hour Photography Tip #2: Use the Right Camera Settings

To master how to photograph golden hour, start with these key camera settings:

• Aperture: For landscapes, stick to f/8–f/11 for sharpness throughout. For wildlife portraits, go wide at f/2.8 or lower to create that dreamy, shallow depth of field.
• Shutter Speed: Since golden hour light fades fast, your shutter speed will need to adjust. Keep it above 1/125 sec if shooting handheld or bring a tripod if you want to go slower.
• ISO: Begin at ISO 100 and gradually raise it as the light dims. Today’s cameras can handle ISO 800–1600 with ease, especially when shooting in Raw.

Always shoot in Raw to retain full dynamic range. It’ll give you more flexibility when editing highlights, shadows, and white balance in post.

Golden Hour Photography Tip #3: Let the Light Guide Your Composition

During golden hour, the light is your subject. Look for how it interacts with the landscape—backlighting leaves, creating glowing edges around trees, or casting long shadows that lead the eye through the frame.

Try shooting into the sun for a more dramatic effect. Use a small aperture (f/16) to get that classic sunstar look, and partially block the sun behind an object to reduce lens flare.

Don’t stay locked into one angle—move around. Some of the best golden hour photos happen when you turn 180 degrees and see how the warm light paints your surroundings in unexpected ways.

Golden Hour Photography Tip #4: Don’t Leave After Sunset

Here’s a golden hour trick most beginners miss: stick around after the sun goes down. The 10–15 minutes after sunset often produce vibrant colors—pinks, purples, deep oranges—that transform a good shot into a great one.

This time, often called blue hour, adds cool tones that contrast beautifully with the golden tones you captured earlier.

Final Thoughts on Capturing Nature During Golden Hour

Golden hour photography is more than just a trend—it’s a proven way to elevate your outdoor images. With a little planning, the right camera settings, and an eye for how light shapes the landscape, you can consistently capture breathtaking nature photos during this golden window of time.

Whether you’re photographing mountains, forests, coastlines, or your local park, remember this: chasing the light isn’t just about finding it—it’s about learning to see it. And once you do, you’ll never want to shoot in midday sun again.

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