Best camera settings for photographing durness cliffs at golden hour with a phone

I’ve spent countless golden hours on the cliffs around Durness, waiting for that soft, low light to wrap the sea stacks and grassy headlands in warm tones. Photographing the cliffs with a phone is one of my favourite ways to travel light and still come away with images that feel cinematic and intimate. Below I share the camera settings, gear tips and on-the-cliff techniques I use to get the best results with a phone during golden hour—practical, tested in wind and spray, and tailored to the dramatic north‑coast light.

Why phone photography works here

Phones today are powerful: they capture wide dynamic range, shoot RAW, and offer manual controls. On Durness cliffs, what matters most is timing, composition and how you handle light. The phone’s small size means I can move quickly along narrow paths to chase the best angle without carrying bulky kit. That said, a few adjustments and accessories make all the difference.

Essential camera settings to start with

These are my go-to settings when I’m shooting the cliffs at golden hour. I recommend using a phone app that unlocks manual controls (Halide, ProCamera, Camera FV‑5 for Android, or Lightroom Mobile). If your default app supports RAW and exposure lock you can still get great results.

Setting	Recommended Value / Tip	Why
Format	Shoot RAW (DNG) + JPEG	Retains detail and gives flexibility for recovering highlights and shadows in post.
ISO	Lowest native ISO (typically 20–100)	Keeps image clean and reduces noise—golden hour provides enough light for low ISO.
Shutter speed	1/125s to 1/1000s for handheld; 1/8s–1/60s on tripod for silky water	Faster speeds freeze sea spray and waves; slower speeds smooth the ocean when stable.
Aperture	Fixed on most phones; use wide lens for depth, tele for compression	Phones simulate aperture—control depth with distance and focal choice.
White balance	Set to Cloudy or +2000K warmer if possible	Preserves the warm tones of golden hour; can be fine-tuned in post.
Exposure compensation	-0.3 to -1 EV when shooting sunlit cliffs; +0.3 if dark cliffs backlit	Prevents highlight blowout on bright cliffs and keeps texture in grass and rock.

Focus, exposure locking and bracketing

Tap the area you want to be sharp (often mid-ground rock or a foreground flower). Then lock focus and exposure—this prevents the phone from re‑metering when you move or recompose. I almost always bracket on golden hour: take 3 exposures (normal, -1 EV, +1 EV) or use the phone’s HDR/bracketing function. This gives options for blending: keep detail in the bright sky while preserving shadow texture in cliff faces.

Composition tips tailored to Durness cliffs

Use foreground interest—tufts of grass, small boulders, or tidal pools—to add depth and lead the eye to the sea stacks.

Try a low perspective: crouch near the path edge (safely) so the cliffs rise behind a foreground element. It emphasises scale.

Include a person—my partner or a local walker—for scale and storytelling. At golden hour silhouettes can be powerful.

Use the tele or 2x lens to compress layers of cliffs and sea; use the ultra-wide to capture sweeping headlands and sky when the clouds catch light.

When to push shutter speed vs. slow it down

On gusty days I keep shutter speeds high (1/500s or faster) to freeze grass and water spray. When the sea is calmer and I want a dreamy, milky sea, I use a small travel tripod or lean the phone against a rock and slow the shutter to 1/8–1/4s. If using a tripod, pair it with a remote shutter or the self‑timer to avoid micro‑shake.

Stabilisation and accessories I carry

A compact tripod (Joby GorillaPod or a small foldable carbon model) is indispensable for long exposures and panoramas.

A neutral density (ND) filter designed for phones (Moment makes good ones) lets you use slower shutter speeds even in brighter golden hour light.

A small phone clamp and a wrist strap for safety near cliff edges.

Polariser attachments for phones help deepen blue skies and manage reflections on wet rocks—but be cautious as they can vignet or affect wide lenses.

Phone models and apps I recommend

I primarily shoot with recent iPhone and Pixel models because of their excellent dynamic range and RAW support. That said, many mid-range Android phones now compete well. For apps I use:

Halide — superb manual controls and focus peaking (iOS).

ProCamera — robust manual mode and RAW (iOS).

Lightroom Mobile — RAW editing, profiles and batch edits (iOS & Android).

Camera FV‑5 / Open Camera — good manual control on Android.

Edit workflow for golden hour cliff photos

On the cliffs I prioritise getting the shot in camera. Back home or in the van, my quick edit flow is:

Import RAW into Lightroom Mobile.

Adjust exposure and highlights first—recover blown skies, preserve cliff textures.

Raise shadows gently to reveal rock detail without losing contrast.

Set white balance warmer if needed (usually +1500–+2500K for golden hour).

Add subtle clarity and texture for rock detail; use Dehaze sparingly if the light looks washed.

Crop and straighten—apply local adjustments to dodge/burn if a single area needs more attention.

Dealing with changing light and weather

Golden hour in Durness can shift quickly—clouds open and close over the sea, changing the scene every minute. I keep my phone set to RAW and bracketing so I don’t miss a moment. If the sky is dramatically backlit, expose for the highlights and lift shadows in post rather than trying to bring everything up in camera; you’ll maintain texture and mood.

Safety and conservation reminders

Always prioritise safety on cliff edges—use a long lens or move back instead of leaning over. Respect nesting birds and coastal vegetation: follow seasonal restrictions and stick to established paths. The best photo isn’t worth damaging the habitat or risking a fall.

If you’re visiting Durness and want specific spot suggestions for golden hour—where the light tends to hit best at different times of year—I’ve mapped favourites on Hillside Durness Co and include GPS points and tide notes on the site. Drop me a message at https://www.hillside-durness.co.uk and I’ll share the local fixes I use when the light turns that golden, fleece‑and‑tea perfect.