Amber Golden Hour Presets for Warm Cinematic Photography
Bring the warmth of the golden hour to every shot. These are my go-to presets for cityscapes, street photography, and portraits that need that sun-kissed, cinematic glow.
An iconic red taxi in Hong Kong, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. The Amber preset enhances the golden light and makes the red of the taxi pop against the urban background.
The real soul of Hong Kong is in its people. I used the Amber preset to give this candid shot of restaurant workers a warm, filmic quality that feels timeless.
The final edited version of a busy lane in Chandni Chowk. The Amber preset brings a cohesive, warm palette to the scene, adding a cinematic and storytelling element to the organized chaos.
Soaking in the golden hour light in Kennedy Town. This preset is perfect for enhancing lens flare and the warm tones of sunset, creating a dreamy and personal portrait.
A collage of portraits shot during the golden hour. Notice how the Amber preset creates a consistent warm and romantic mood across different poses and compositions.
A quiet moment on a busy street at night. The Amber preset enhances the warm glow of the streetlights, creating a moody, contemplative scene with beautiful depth.
A high-angle view of a Hong Kong street, where the red taxi stands out. The preset deepens the greens and adds a warm cast to the entire image, giving it a classic travel photography look.
About this collection
The real magic of the Amber pack is how it handles the transition between bright highlights and deep shadows. When you are shooting during golden hour, you often get harsh contrast that makes skin look flat or shadows look murky. I have built this preset to specifically lift those shadows and add a soft, golden warmth without losing the details in the background. It turns an average street snapshot into a cohesive visual story with just one click.
Editing is not just about filters. It is about bringing out the vibe you felt when you clicked the shutter. With the Amber pack, I have focused on warm skin tones and desaturated greens to ensure that your subject pops against the background. Whether you are editing a portrait in Lodhi Garden or a busy street scene in Hong Kong, the goal is consistency.
The pack includes 4 to 6 variations specifically designed to handle different lighting conditions. I have tweaked the HSL sliders to make sure the reds in city signs and the yellows of the sunset feel rich and cinematic, not fake or over-saturated.
What you get in the Amber Pack:
- .XMP files for Lightroom Classic and CC (Desktop).
- .DNG files for Lightroom Mobile (Free and Paid versions).
- A cheat sheet for white balance and exposure adjustments.
If you have ever struggled with messy, uneven edits, this is your fix. These presets serve as a solid base. You apply the preset, make a tiny adjustment to your exposure, and your edit is done. It is designed for creators who want their travel feed or personal gallery to look professional without spending hours on color grading.
Garima Bhaskar
Hi, I am Garima. I chase moments, whether it is a busy market in Delhi or a quiet taxi stand in Hong Kong. Photography is how I connect with the world, and these presets are just my way of sharing the color and warmth I see through my Nikon lens.
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