The golden hour—that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset—bathes photos in warm, soft light, creating a dreamy, cinematic glow. But what if you can’t catch that fleeting moment or want to enhance your images with that golden hue? In 2025, photo editing apps make it easy to add a golden hour filter to any photo, no matter the time of day. After exploring the latest options, one app stands out as the best for achieving that perfect golden hour look: Luminar Neo. Here’s why, along with tips on using it and other notable apps to consider.
Why Luminar Neo is the Best App for Golden Hour Filters in 2025
Luminar Neo, developed by Skylum, is an AI-powered photo editing app that excels at transforming images with professional-grade results. Its dedicated Golden Hour tool is a standout feature, allowing users to emulate the warm, diffused light of golden hour with a single slider. This tool intelligently analyzes your photo and applies precise adjustments to mimic the soft, golden tones and long shadows characteristic of this time of day. Here’s what makes Luminar Neo the top choice:
- AI-Powered Precision: The app’s AI analyzes your photo to apply tailored adjustments, ensuring the golden hour effect looks natural, whether you’re editing landscapes, portraits, or urban scenes.
- Customizable Golden Hour Tool: The slider lets you control the intensity of the effect, from subtle warmth to dramatic golden glow, giving you flexibility to match your creative vision.
- Advanced Editing Features: Beyond the golden hour filter, Luminar Neo offers tools for selective color correction, exposure adjustments, and preset filters, making it a versatile choice for photographers of all levels.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Available on iOS, Android, and desktop, Luminar Neo syncs edits across devices via cloud integration, perfect for on-the-go editing.
- User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design makes it accessible for beginners while offering depth for advanced users.
How to Use Luminar Neo for Golden Hour Effects
- Open Your Photo: Import your image into Luminar Neo.
- Access the Golden Hour Tool: Navigate to the editing panel and select the Golden Hour slider under the “Creative” or “Effects” tab.
- Adjust the Effect: Slide to increase or decrease the warmth and intensity of the golden hour light. Fine-tune exposure, saturation, and highlights to enhance the effect.
- Refine with Additional Tools: Use the “Curves” tool for advanced color correction or apply selective edits to specific areas, like boosting warmth in the sky or softening shadows.
- Save and Share: Export your edited photo in high resolution or share directly to social media.
Luminar Neo’s ability to replicate the golden hour’s soft, warm light and long shadows makes it ideal for creating stunning portraits, landscapes, or even urban shots with a nostalgic, cinematic vibe.
Runner-Up Apps for Golden Hour Filters in 2025
While Luminar Neo takes the crown, other apps also offer excellent golden hour filter options. Here are two strong contenders:
1. YouCam Perfect
YouCam Perfect is a free, user-friendly app that shines for quick edits. Its golden hour filters, found under the “Effects” or “Filters” menu, add a warm glow with minimal effort. The app also includes AI-driven tools for enhancing skin tones in portraits, making it great for selfies or group shots. However, it lacks the depth of Luminar Neo’s customization options.
- Pros: Free, easy to use, great for quick edits.
- Cons: Limited advanced features, some filters require in-app purchases.
- Best For: Casual users and social media enthusiasts.
2. LightX
LightX offers a robust set of tools for creating golden hour effects, including manual adjustments for exposure, saturation, and warmth, as well as pre-set “Retro” filters that mimic golden hour light. Its “Color Mix” and “Blend” features allow you to overlay warm tones or add effects like window shadows for a realistic sunset look. It’s a solid choice for those who want more control without a steep learning curve.
- Pros: Versatile manual adjustments, creative blending options.
- Cons: Interface can feel cluttered, less AI automation than Luminar Neo.
- Best For: Intermediate users who enjoy experimenting with edits.
Tips for Creating Authentic Golden Hour Photos
To make your golden hour filter look natural, keep these tips in mind:
- Balance Warmth and Saturation: Overdoing warmth can make photos look unnatural. Use subtle adjustments to mimic the sun’s soft glow.
- Incorporate Shadows: Apps like LightX let you add fake shadows (e.g., palm leaves or window blinds) to enhance the golden hour vibe.
- Adjust Highlights and Shadows: Lower highlights and boost shadows to replicate the low-angle light of golden hour.
- Use Location-Based Planning Apps: Pair your editing app with a golden hour calculator like PhotoTime or GoldenHour.One to plan shoots during actual golden hour for the best raw images.
Why Golden Hour Filters Matter in 2025
Golden hour filters remain popular because they add warmth, depth, and emotion to photos, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary ones. In 2025, with the rise of AI-driven editing and social media’s demand for visually striking content, apps like Luminar Neo make it easier than ever to achieve professional results without waiting for the perfect light. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro, these tools empower you to create captivating images anytime, anywhere.
Conclusion
For the best golden hour filter in 2025, Luminar Neo is the clear winner due to its AI-powered Golden Hour tool, customization options, and cross-platform versatility. If you’re looking for free or lightweight alternatives, YouCam Perfect and LightX are excellent choices for quick edits or creative control. Experiment with these apps, combine them with smart planning tools, and elevate your photography with that coveted golden glow.