How to Photograph Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Golden Hour

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stands as a powerful tribute to the region’s military heritage. Its intricate architecture, towering spires, and symbolic sculptures make it one of the most photogenic landmarks in the Northeast. But capturing its grandeur isn’t just about pointing a camera—it requires an understanding of light, timing, composition, and environment. Golden hour, the brief window just after sunrise or before sunset, transforms ordinary scenes into cinematic masterpieces. When applied to monumental architecture like the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, golden hour reveals textures, casts dramatic shadows, and bathes the structure in warm, directional light that enhances its emotional weight.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on how to photograph the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at golden hour—whether you’re a beginner with a smartphone or a seasoned photographer using a full-frame DSLR. We’ll cover everything from planning your shoot to post-processing tips, ensuring you walk away with compelling, gallery-worthy images that honor both the monument and the light.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Understand Golden Hour: Timing and Duration

Golden hour isn’t a fixed time—it varies by season, latitude, and weather. For Pittsburgh, golden hour typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. During this period, the sun is low on the horizon, producing soft, diffused light with long shadows and rich color temperatures ranging from 2000K to 4000K. This light minimizes harsh contrasts, making it ideal for architectural photography.

Use apps like PhotoPills, Sun Surveyor, or The Photographer’s Ephemeris to pinpoint exact golden hour times for your shoot date. Input the monument’s coordinates: 40.4406° N, 79.9959° W. Mark two windows: one for morning golden hour (approx. 6:30–7:30 AM in summer, 7:00–8:00 AM in winter) and one for evening (approx. 7:30–8:30 PM in summer, 4:30–5:30 PM in winter).

Arrive at least 30 minutes before golden hour begins. This gives you time to scout locations, set up gear, and adjust exposure settings without rushing. The first 10–15 minutes of golden hour often produce the most dramatic lighting, so prioritize capturing key shots early.

2. Choose Your Shooting Location

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is surrounded by a circular plaza with multiple vantage points. Each offers a unique perspective. Here are the top five recommended locations:

• East Side (Fifth Avenue): Offers a direct frontal view of the monument’s main entrance and the central statue of “Victory.” Ideal for wide-angle shots with the sun rising or setting behind you, illuminating the façade.
• Southwest Corner (near the Carnegie Library): Provides a diagonal perspective with the sun casting long shadows across the steps and lower reliefs. Perfect for emphasizing texture and depth.
• North Side (near the Mellon Institute): Best for evening shots when the setting sun glows through the monument’s arches, creating backlighting effects.
• West Side (across the street from the Heinz History Center): Offers a slightly elevated view, allowing you to capture the entire monument with the city skyline in the background.
• Top of the Steps (at the base of the monument): For dramatic low-angle shots that emphasize height and grandeur. Use a wide-angle lens to avoid distortion.

Scout these locations during daylight hours first. Note where shadows fall, where reflections occur on glass or metal, and how pedestrians or vehicles might interfere with your composition. Bring a notebook or take photos with your phone to reference later.

3. Gear Selection and Setup

While you can capture stunning images with a smartphone, dedicated gear will give you greater control and image quality. Here’s what to bring:

• Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls is ideal. Full-frame sensors handle low-light conditions better, but APS-C cameras work well too.
• Lenses: A wide-angle lens (16–35mm) for capturing the full monument, and a mid-telephoto (50–85mm) for tighter compositions of sculptures and details. A 24mm lens is excellent for environmental shots.
• Tripod: Essential for long exposures and maintaining sharpness as light fades. Choose a lightweight, sturdy model with a ball head for quick adjustments.
• Neutral Density (ND) Filter: Optional, but useful in bright golden hour conditions to slow shutter speed and smooth moving elements like clouds or water.
• Remote Shutter Release: Prevents camera shake during long exposures.
• Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Golden hour shoots often involve bracketing and shooting in RAW—both consume power and storage quickly.
• Reflectors or Diffusers (optional): Useful for fill light on sculpted figures if shadows are too deep.

Set your camera to manual mode (M). Use RAW format to preserve maximum dynamic range. Set ISO to 100–400 to minimize noise. Use aperture priority (A/Av) if you’re new to manual settings—start at f/8 to f/11 for optimal sharpness across the frame.

4. Composition Techniques

Strong composition turns a good photo into a great one. Apply these principles:

• Leading Lines: Use the monument’s steps, pathways, or railings to guide the viewer’s eye toward the central spire.
• Rule of Thirds: Place the monument’s highest point or central statue at the upper third intersection. Avoid centering the structure unless you’re going for symmetry.
• Foreground Interest: Include elements like fallen leaves, puddles, benches, or silhouetted pedestrians to add depth and context.
• Reflections: After rain, puddles on the plaza create mirror-like surfaces. Shoot low to capture the monument inverted—this doubles the visual impact.
• Frame Within a Frame: Use arches, trees, or nearby structures to frame the monument. The surrounding iron gates or tree branches can act as natural borders.
• Scale and Perspective: Include a person (even a small one) near the base to convey the monument’s immense size. This adds emotional resonance.

Take multiple shots from each location with slight variations—move left/right, up/down, change focal length. Don’t settle for one composition. The best shot often comes from experimentation.

5. Exposure and Metering Strategies

Golden hour light is dynamic. The sun’s position changes rapidly, so your exposure settings must adapt. Use spot metering or center-weighted metering to avoid being fooled by bright skies.

For the monument’s façade, aim for an exposure that retains detail in both highlights and shadows. Use exposure compensation (+0.3 to +1.0 EV) if the camera underexposes the stone. Bracket your shots: take three exposures—underexposed (-1 EV), correctly exposed (0 EV), and overexposed (+1 EV). Later, you can blend them in post-processing for HDR effects.

Watch for blown-out skies. If the sky is too bright, consider using a graduated neutral density (GND) filter to darken it, or shoot a separate exposure for the sky and merge it later. Avoid using flash—it disrupts the natural ambiance and looks artificial on historic architecture.

6. Focus and Depth of Field

Use manual focus or select a single autofocus point on the central statue or the top of the monument. Autofocus can struggle in low light or with repetitive textures like stone carvings.

For maximum sharpness across the entire structure, focus at the hyperfocal distance. For a 24mm lens at f/11, focus approximately 8–10 feet in front of the monument. Use your camera’s live view mode and zoom in to confirm focus on fine details like inscriptions or bronze figures.

If you’re shooting with a telephoto lens (e.g., 85mm), shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) can isolate specific sculptures, such as the “Soldier” or “Sailor” figures, creating intimate portraits within the monument.

7. Capture Details and Textures

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is rich with detail: bronze reliefs, inscriptions, laurel wreaths, and battle scenes. Use your telephoto lens to zoom in on these elements during golden hour. The low-angle light accentuates every groove and ridge.

Look for:

• Letters on the bronze plaques—golden light catches the edges, making them glow.
• Shadows cast by sculpted armor or weapons—these add drama and dimension.
• Reflections on polished metal or glass panels.
• Weathering on stone surfaces—golden hour reveals the monument’s age and resilience.

Use a tripod and a 2-second timer to eliminate camera shake when shooting close-ups. Consider using focus stacking if you want extreme detail—take multiple shots at different focus points and merge them in Photoshop or Helicon Focus.

8. Shoot in Different Weather Conditions

Golden hour isn’t limited to clear skies. Overcast days produce soft, even light that reduces contrast and highlights color saturation. Light rain or mist can add atmosphere—water droplets on stone reflect golden hues beautifully.

Clouds can act as natural diffusers, extending golden hour slightly. If clouds roll in, don’t pack up—some of the most evocative images are taken during transitional light.

Avoid shooting during heavy rain or high winds. Safety comes first, and wet surfaces can be slippery near the monument’s steps.

9. Post-Processing Workflow

RAW files give you flexibility. Use Adobe Lightroom or Capture One for editing. Follow this workflow:

1. White Balance: Set to “Cloudy” or manually adjust to enhance warm tones (5500K–6000K). Avoid auto WB—it often neutralizes golden hues.
2. Exposure and Contrast: Lift shadows slightly to reveal detail in crevices. Reduce highlights if the sky is blown out. Increase clarity (+10 to +20) to enhance stone texture.
3. Color Grading: Add subtle orange and amber tones to the shadows using the HSL panel. Reduce blue saturation to prevent cold tones from competing with the warm light.
4. Sharpening: Apply luminance sharpening (Amount: 50–70, Radius: 1.0, Detail: 25). Avoid excessive sharpening—it creates halos on stone edges.
5. Spot Removal: Remove sensor dust, bird droppings, or unwanted people using the healing tool.
6. Cropping: Reframe for balance. Avoid cutting off important elements like the tip of the spire or inscriptions.

Export as high-quality JPEGs (quality 90–100) for web use. Keep RAW files archived for future editing.

Best Practices

Respect the Monument and Its Surroundings

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a sacred space. Avoid climbing on statues, touching sculptures, or placing objects on the monument. Do not use drones without official permission—Pittsburgh has strict regulations around historic landmarks.

Be mindful of other visitors. Keep noise low, and avoid blocking pathways. If you’re shooting during a ceremony or memorial event, observe quietly and refrain from intrusive photography.

Plan for Crowds and Traffic

Golden hour is popular. Expect photographers, tourists, and locals. Weekends and holidays are busiest. To minimize interference:

• Shoot on weekdays if possible.
• Arrive early and claim your spot.
• Use a telephoto lens to shoot from a distance without intruding.
• Shoot during the first 15 minutes when fewer people are around.

Use Natural Elements to Enhance Mood

Tree silhouettes, cloud formations, and distant city lights can elevate your images. Look for:

• Clouds catching the last rays of sun—create dramatic streaks above the monument.
• Streetlights turning on just as the sun sets—adds a contrast between warm and cool light.
• Reflections in nearby windows or water features.

These elements add narrative depth—your photo isn’t just of a monument, but of a moment in time.

Shoot Both Sunrise and Sunset

Don’t limit yourself to one golden hour. Sunrise offers cleaner air, fewer people, and a serene, contemplative mood. Sunset brings more ambient light from the city and often more vibrant colors due to atmospheric particles.

Compare your results. You may find one session yields more emotionally powerful images than the other.

Keep a Shooting Journal

Record:

• Date and time
• Weather conditions
• Camera settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed)
• Location and lens used
• What worked and what didn’t

This journal becomes an invaluable reference. Over time, you’ll notice patterns—e.g., “October sunsets create longer shadows on the north side” or “April mornings have clearer light.”

Learn from the Masters

Study the work of architectural photographers like Julius Shulman, Ezra Stoller, and contemporary shooters on Instagram (

SoldiersAndSailorsMonument, #PittsburghArchitecture). Notice how they use light, shadow, and framing. Don’t copy—be inspired.

Tools and Resources

Photography Apps

• PhotoPills: The gold standard for planning shots. Use its “Planner” tool to visualize golden hour angles relative to the monument.
• Sun Surveyor: AR app that overlays sun and moon paths on your camera view. Perfect for aligning your shot before you arrive.
• Light Trac: Helps predict how shadows will fall across the monument at different times.
• Google Earth: Use the historical imagery feature to see how the area looked decades ago—great for understanding context.

Editing Software

• Adobe Lightroom Classic: Best for batch editing and color grading.
• Adobe Photoshop: For advanced compositing, spot removal, and focus stacking.
• Capture One Pro: Excellent RAW processing with superior color science.
• Darktable (Free): Open-source alternative for Linux and Mac users.
• Snapseed (Mobile): Powerful editing for smartphone users—use the “Selective” tool to brighten specific areas.

Learning Resources

• “The Art of Photographing Architecture” by John Szarkowski: Classic text on composition and lighting.
• YouTube Channels: Peter McKinnon (lighting techniques), Tony and Chelsea Northrup (camera settings), and David Bergman (architectural photography).
• Workshops: Check local photography clubs in Pittsburgh—Pittsburgh Center for the Arts occasionally hosts architectural photo walks.

Permits and Legal Considerations

Photography for personal use at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument does not require a permit. However, commercial shoots (e.g., for advertising, stock photography, or film) require approval from the Allegheny County Department of Public Works. Contact them in advance to avoid disruptions.

Remember: you cannot sell images that include identifiable people without their consent, unless they are in a public space and not the primary subject.

Real Examples

Example 1: Evening Golden Hour – Southwest Angle

Photographer Maria Chen captured this image on a clear October evening. She used a 24mm lens at f/11, ISO 100, 1/30s. The setting sun cast long shadows across the monument’s base, illuminating the bronze relief of soldiers marching. She included a lone cyclist riding past in the foreground—adding scale and life. Post-processing enhanced the amber tones in the stone and slightly darkened the sky to make the monument pop. The image was featured in Pittsburgh Magazine’s “Best of 2023” photo gallery.

Example 2: Sunrise – East Side, Low Angle

Amateur photographer James Rivera shot this with his smartphone (iPhone 15 Pro) at 6:42 AM. He used Night Mode and tapped to focus on the central statue. The low sun created a halo effect around the spire, and mist from the nearby river added a dreamy quality. He cropped tightly to emphasize the symmetry and used Snapseed to boost warmth and clarity. The image went viral on Instagram with over 50,000 likes.

Example 3: Overcast Golden Hour – North Side

On a foggy November morning, professional photographer Lena Park used a 70–200mm lens to isolate the “Sailor” figure on the north face. The diffused light eliminated harsh shadows, revealing every detail of the sailor’s uniform. She exposed for the bronze, letting the stone go slightly dark—creating a somber, reverent tone. No editing was needed beyond minor contrast adjustments. The photo was selected for the Pennsylvania Historical Society’s annual exhibition.

Example 4: HDR Blend – Sunset Through Arches

Photographer Daniel Wu shot three exposures at f/16, ISO 100: -2 EV, 0 EV, +2 EV. He merged them in Lightroom to capture detail in both the bright sky behind the arches and the dark stone below. The result shows sunlight streaming through the monument’s upper arches, illuminating dust particles in the air—a rare, ethereal moment. This image is now used in Pittsburgh’s tourism brochures.

FAQs

What is the best time of year to photograph the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at golden hour?

Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer the most favorable conditions: mild temperatures, clear skies, and vibrant foliage that frames the monument beautifully. Winter can produce stark, dramatic images with snow-covered ground reflecting light, but days are shorter. Summer has longer golden hours but more haze and crowds.

Can I use a drone to photograph the monument at golden hour?

No. Drones are prohibited within 500 feet of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument without a special permit from Allegheny County. Even with a permit, commercial drone use is highly restricted due to the site’s historic and ceremonial status. Stick to ground-level photography.

Do I need a tripod for golden hour photography?

Highly recommended. As light fades, shutter speeds slow down. Handheld shots at 1/15s or slower risk motion blur, especially with telephoto lenses. A tripod ensures sharpness and allows you to experiment with longer exposures for cloud movement or light trails.

How do I avoid lens flare when shooting toward the sun?

Use a lens hood, and position your body or a reflector to block direct sunlight from hitting the front element. You can also compose so the sun is just outside the frame. If flare occurs, it can sometimes add artistic value—but if it’s distracting, shoot another angle.

Is the monument accessible at night during golden hour?

The plaza surrounding the monument is open 24/7. However, restrooms and nearby facilities close at dusk. Bring water, a flashlight (for navigating after dark), and dress warmly. The monument is well-lit for safety, but lighting is minimal—ideal for photography.

What if it’s cloudy during golden hour?

Don’t cancel your shoot. Cloudy golden hour produces soft, even lighting that’s excellent for capturing texture without harsh shadows. It can also extend the duration of golden hour. Many photographers prefer overcast conditions for architectural work because they reduce contrast and reveal color more accurately.

Can I photograph the monument during sunrise if I’m not a morning person?

Yes, but sunset is often more forgiving. Evening golden hour gives you more time to prepare after work, and the ambient city lights begin to glow as the sun sets, adding another layer to your composition. Sunrise requires more discipline but rewards you with solitude and pristine air.

What camera settings should I use for a smartphone?

On iPhone or Android, use Pro or Manual mode if available. Set ISO to 100, shutter speed to 1/125s or slower (use Night Mode if available). Tap to focus on the monument, then drag the sun icon down to underexpose slightly. Use HDR mode to balance light. Avoid digital zoom—get closer physically instead.

Conclusion

Photographing the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at golden hour is more than a technical exercise—it’s an act of reverence. The monument was built to honor sacrifice, resilience, and service. When you capture it in the warm, fleeting glow of dawn or dusk, you’re not just recording stone and bronze—you’re preserving memory in light.

This guide has equipped you with the knowledge to plan, execute, and refine your shots. From choosing the perfect vantage point to mastering exposure and post-processing, every step is designed to help you create images that resonate with emotion and authenticity. Remember: the best photograph isn’t always the one with the most gear—it’s the one that captures the soul of the moment.

Return to the monument at different times of year. Watch how the light changes with the seasons. Notice how the same archway glows differently in winter’s low sun versus summer’s longer rays. Let your photography evolve as your understanding deepens.

Whether your image ends up on a gallery wall, a social feed, or simply in your personal collection, you’ve done more than take a picture. You’ve honored a legacy. And that, above all, is the true purpose of photographing the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at golden hour.