Fall Light

What is it about the golden light of autumn? Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, the afternoon sunlight of fall seems to glow. I've celebrated it before (see Golden Hour at Lake Temescal, Fall Colors, and Fall Fun), and it never gets old.

Fall light at Bishop Lake

In the fall, the sun changes its position, from high in the sky during summer to low in winter. Due to the 23.5 degree tilt of the planet, this change in position causes the sunlight to strike the earth at an oblique angle, which changes our perception of the light, from a full beam to a slanted glow.

Colors and textures come alive in the fall light

After the time change (fall back), the golden hour falls earlier and earlier, and finally fades to cold winter light. Celebrate the golden fall light for as long as possible!