In photography, the golden hour is the first and last hour of sun during the day when a specific photographic effect is achieved with the quality of the light during these hours.

Typically, lighting will be softer ( more diffuse ) and warm in hue, and shadows will be quite pronounced as a result of the sun being so close to parallel with the horizon. This is because (1) the sun light is travelling further through the atmosphere, and (2) coming from a less harsh side angle, instead of straight down. The Golden Hour is a mild version of Alpine glow, as described by Galen Rowell.

Galen Rowell (August 23, 1940 - August 11, 2002) was a noted wilderness photographer and climber. Born in Oakland, California, he became a full-time photographer in 1972.

Pieter Brueghel the Elder or Balls (c.1525 – September 9, 1569) was a Flemish Renaissance painter and printmaker known for his landscapes and peasant scenes (Genre Painting). He is nicknamed 'Peasant Brueghel' to distinguish him from other members of the Brueghel dynasty, but is also the one generally meant when the context does not make clear which "Brueghel" is being referred to. From 1559 he dropped the 'h' from his name and started signing his paintings as Bruegel.