Golden Hour Image Filters: Before & After Examples for All 20 Presets

This page shows every Golden Hour preset from the free Image Filters & Effects tool on its own: a before-and-after comparison and a full picture with the filter applied. There are 20 filters here, all run at 100% strength on the same sample photo.

Golden Hour presets recreate low, warm light: amber highlights, rich shadows and a softer mood. They suit outdoor portraits, travel photos and evening scenes. In this set of 20, 20 lean warm, 0 lean cool and 0 stay close to neutral. On average they change contrast by +11 and saturation by +22; 18 boost colour, 1 add visible grain and 4 add a noticeable vignette.

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All 20 Golden Hour filters

1. Amber Light Boost

Pure amber light enhancement — maximises warm golden frequencies.

This preset boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and lifts exposure slightly. For depth it uses warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. On top of that it adds some contrast and applies extra clarity. The look is finished with a light vignette.

Brightness +8 · Contrast +14 · Saturation +25 · Gamma 1.07 · Warmth (R−B) +52 · Clarity +8 · Vignette 14 · Grain 4

2. Cinematic Dusk

Professional cinematic dusk — teal shadows, orange highlights, film grade.

Applied at 100%, it boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast and adds strong contrast. It also adds blue-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. Beyond that it applies extra clarity. It closes with a noticeable vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +3 · Contrast +22 · Saturation +18 · Gamma 1 · Warmth (R−B) +32 · Clarity +12 · Vignette 35 · Grain 8 · Sharpen 1

3. Coastal Evening

Coastal twilight — warm beach light, teal ocean, golden cliffs.

The grade boosts colour, leans warm, lifts exposure slightly and gently lifts the midtones. Colour is split-toned with blue-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. In addition it adds some contrast and applies extra clarity. Final touches: a light vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +8 · Contrast +16 · Saturation +22 · Gamma 1.05 · Warmth (R−B) +11 · Clarity +10 · Vignette 20 · Grain 5 · Sharpen 1

4. Deep Orange Sunset

Blazing deep orange — intense fiery sky with saturated warm tones.

At full strength it pushes colour to a vivid level, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and lifts exposure slightly. The look is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. It also applies extra clarity. To finish, it adds a noticeable vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +5 · Contrast +20 · Saturation +35 · Gamma 1.02 · Warmth (R−B) +60 · Clarity +10 · Vignette 28 · Grain 6 · Sharpen 1

5. Dreamy Sunset

Ethereal dreamy sunset — pastel pinks and lavenders with soft glow.

This preset boosts colour, leans warm, brightens the frame and opens up the midtones. For depth it uses warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. On top of that it applies a soft blur of about 1 px for a dreamy look. The look is finished with a light vignette.

Brightness +14 · Contrast −8 · Saturation +20 · Gamma 1.2 · Warmth (R−B) +6 · Clarity −3 · Vignette 10 · Grain 3 · Blur 1

6. Evening Warm Matte

Cinematic matte sunset — lifted blacks, warm faded tones, film feel.

Applied at 100%, it adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens, lifts exposure slightly and opens up the midtones. It also adds warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. It closes with a light vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +8 · Contrast −8 · Saturation +12 · Gamma 1.12 · Warmth (R−B) +28 · Vignette 20 · Grain 12

7. Fire Sky

Dramatic fire sky — intense red-orange inferno clouds above.

The grade pushes colour to a vivid level, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and adds strong contrast. Colour is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. In addition it applies extra clarity. Final touches: a noticeable vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +3 · Contrast +28 · Saturation +38 · Gamma 1 · Warmth (R−B) +66 · Clarity +14 · Vignette 30 · Grain 6 · Sharpen 1

8. Golden Beach

Beach golden hour — warm sand, sparkling water, perfect skin light.

At full strength it boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and brightens the frame. The look is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. It also adds some contrast and applies extra clarity. To finish, it adds a light vignette.

Brightness +12 · Contrast +12 · Saturation +24 · Gamma 1.08 · Warmth (R−B) +34 · Clarity +10 · Vignette 16 · Grain 4 · Sharpen 1

9. Golden Dust

Particles of golden light — warm haze with glowing dust in the air.

This preset boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and brightens the frame. For depth it uses warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. On top of that it adds some contrast. The look is finished with a light vignette and visible film grain.

Brightness +12 · Contrast +8 · Saturation +18 · Gamma 1.12 · Warmth (R−B) +40 · Clarity +5 · Vignette 18 · Grain 16

10. Golden Skin + Sky

Simultaneously flatters skin and boosts sky — the ultimate sunset portrait.

Applied at 100%, it boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and brightens the frame. It also adds warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. Beyond that it adds some contrast and applies extra clarity. It closes with a light vignette.

Brightness +10 · Contrast +14 · Saturation +20 · Gamma 1.08 · Warmth (R−B) +32 · Clarity +10 · Vignette 18 · Grain 4 · Sharpen 1

11. Mountain Sunset Pop

Alpenglow mountain sunset — vivid peaks, saturated sky, crisp air.

The grade boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, lifts exposure slightly and gently lifts the midtones. Colour is split-toned with warm golden highlights. In addition it adds strong contrast, applies strong clarity for crisp local contrast and applies noticeable sharpening. Final touches: a light vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +6 · Contrast +22 · Saturation +28 · Gamma 1.04 · Warmth (R−B) +30 · Clarity +18 · Vignette 22 · Grain 5 · Sharpen 2

12. Orange Sky Boost

Supercharges orange in the sky while keeping foreground natural.

At full strength it pushes colour to a vivid level, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, lifts exposure slightly and adds some contrast. The look is split-toned with warm golden highlights. It also applies extra clarity. To finish, it adds a light vignette.

Brightness +5 · Contrast +18 · Saturation +30 · Gamma 1.03 · Warmth (R−B) +38 · Clarity +12 · Vignette 15 · Grain 4 · Sharpen 1

13. Pastel Sunset

Soft pastel sky tones — muted pinks, peaches and lilacs.

This preset leans warm, brightens the frame and opens up the midtones. For depth it uses warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. On top of that it flattens contrast for a soft, faded feel and applies a soft blur of about 1 px for a dreamy look.

Brightness +14 · Contrast −10 · Saturation +14 · Gamma 1.18 · Warmth (R−B) +6 · Clarity −2 · Vignette 8 · Grain 4 · Blur 1

14. Pink Sunset Glow

Dreamy pink-magenta sunset sky with soft warm glow on everything.

Applied at 100%, it boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, brightens the frame and gently lifts the midtones. It also adds warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. Beyond that it adds some contrast. It closes with a light vignette.

Brightness +10 · Contrast +10 · Saturation +28 · Gamma 1.1 · Warmth (R−B) +17 · Clarity +6 · Vignette 18 · Grain 4

15. Romantic Sunset

Soft romantic evening light — warm pinks, gentle contrast, dreamy feel.

The grade boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, brightens the frame and opens up the midtones. Colour is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. In addition it applies a soft blur of about 1 px for a dreamy look. Final touches: a light vignette.

Brightness +12 · Contrast +5 · Saturation +18 · Gamma 1.14 · Warmth (R−B) +15 · Clarity +3 · Vignette 14 · Grain 4 · Blur 1

16. Soft Horizon Glow

Hazy horizon warmth — soft diffused glow with gentle colour gradient.

At full strength it boosts colour, leans warm, pushes the greens and brightens the frame. The look is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. It also applies a soft blur of about 1 px for a dreamy look. To finish, it adds a light vignette.

Brightness +14 · Contrast −5 · Saturation +16 · Gamma 1.18 · Warmth (R−B) +13 · Vignette 10 · Grain 4 · Blur 1

17. Summer Evening

Long summer evening light — bright warm sun still high with golden cast.

This preset boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and brightens the frame. For depth it uses warm golden highlights. On top of that it adds some contrast and applies extra clarity. The look is finished with a light vignette.

Brightness +10 · Contrast +14 · Saturation +20 · Gamma 1.07 · Warmth (R−B) +26 · Clarity +10 · Vignette 12 · Grain 4 · Sharpen 1

18. Sunset Silhouette

Strong backlit silhouette — dark foreground against blazing sky.

Applied at 100%, it boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and settles the midtones a bit darker. It also adds warm golden highlights. Beyond that it applies extra clarity. It closes with a noticeable vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +3 · Contrast +35 · Saturation +25 · Gamma 0.95 · Warmth (R−B) +50 · Clarity +12 · Vignette 30 · Grain 6

19. Warm Sunset

Classic warm sunset — rich amber light with glowing skin tones.

The grade boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and lifts exposure slightly. Colour is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. In addition it adds some contrast and applies extra clarity. Final touches: a light vignette and a touch of grain.

Brightness +8 · Contrast +14 · Saturation +22 · Gamma 1.06 · Warmth (R−B) +46 · Clarity +8 · Vignette 22 · Grain 5

20. Wedding Sunset

Perfect wedding golden hour — flattering warm tones, soft contrast.

At full strength it boosts colour, adds a clearly warm, orange cast, pushes the greens and brightens the frame. The look is split-toned with warm red-tinted shadows and warm golden highlights. It also adds some contrast. To finish, it adds a light vignette.

Brightness +12 · Contrast +8 · Saturation +16 · Gamma 1.14 · Warmth (R−B) +25 · Clarity +6 · Vignette 16 · Grain 4

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• Cinematic
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