Golden Hour Guide

Calculate golden hour times based on your location

Date:

Get Accurate Sun Times

Use your location to calculate precise golden hour and twilight times for your area.

Light Phases by Sun Elevation

Night

Below -18°

Complete darkness, ideal for astrophotography

• Milky Way and star photography
• Star trails
• Light painting

Astronomical Twilight

-18° to -12°

Sky is dark, faint stars visible

• Milky Way visible
• Last/first light on horizon
• City lights with hint of blue sky

Nautical Twilight

-12° to -6°

Horizon clearly visible, sky glows

• Blue hour begins/ends
• Excellent for cityscapes
• Balanced ambient and artificial light

Civil Twilight / Blue Hour

-6° to 0°

Bright sky, deep blue color

• Rich blue sky color
• City lights balanced with sky
• No harsh shadows
• Soft, even lighting

Golden Hour

0° to 6°

Warm, golden light, long shadows

• Warm, flattering light for portraits
• Long dramatic shadows
• Rim lighting effects
• Landscapes glow with color

Daytime

Above 6°

Full daylight, varies by sun position

• Harsh shadows at midday
• Look for open shade
• Use fill flash or reflectors
• Best for high-contrast subjects

Color Temperature Reference

Phase	Temperature	Color
Blue Hour	9000-12000K	Deep blue
Civil Twilight	7000-9000K	Blue to purple
Sunrise/Sunset	2000-3500K	Orange to red
Golden Hour	3500-4500K	Golden yellow
Overcast	6000-7500K	Neutral to cool
Midday Sun	5000-5500K	Neutral white
Shade	7000-8000K	Cool blue

Golden Hour Settings

WB: Daylight or Shade for warmth
ISO: 100-400
Light changes rapidly, check exposure frequently

Blue Hour Settings

WB: Tungsten for blue, Daylight for purple
ISO: 400-1600
Tripod recommended, long exposures may be needed

Night Settings

WB: Tungsten or manual (3200-4000K)
ISO: 1600-6400+
Tripod essential, use bright lenses

Twilight Duration by Latitude

Latitude	Season	Golden Hour	Blue Hour
0°	equinox	~25 minutes	~25 minutes
30°	equinox	~30 minutes	~30 minutes
45°	summer	~45-60 minutes	~35-45 minutes
45°	winter	~25-35 minutes	~25-30 minutes
60°	summer	~2-4 hours	~1-2 hours

Planning Tips

• Scout locations during daylight to plan compositions
• Arrive 30-45 minutes before golden hour starts
• Golden hour is typically more predictable than blue hour
• Cloud cover can enhance or diminish golden hour colors
• Clear skies often produce the best blue hour
• Mountains and buildings can block low sun
• Check weather and air quality for best results
• Use apps to predict exact sun position and timing

Summer Considerations

High Latitude: Extended twilights, midnight sun possible above Arctic Circle
Mid Latitude: Longer golden hours, earlier sunrise, later sunset
Low Latitude: Similar to other seasons, slight variation

Winter Considerations

High Latitude: Very short daylight, extended twilights, polar night possible
Mid Latitude: Shorter golden hours, later sunrise, earlier sunset
Low Latitude: Similar to other seasons, slight variation

Phase

Temperature

Color

Blue Hour

9000-12000K

Deep blue

Civil Twilight

7000-9000K

Blue to purple

Sunrise/Sunset

2000-3500K

Orange to red

Golden Hour

3500-4500K

Golden yellow

Overcast

6000-7500K

Neutral to cool

Midday Sun

5000-5500K

Neutral white

Shade

7000-8000K

Cool blue

Latitude

Season

Golden Hour

Blue Hour

0°

equinox

~25 minutes

30°

equinox

~30 minutes

45°

summer

~45-60 minutes

~35-45 minutes

45°

winter

~25-35 minutes

~25-30 minutes

60°

summer

~2-4 hours

~1-2 hours