Golden Hour
Location
Date
Options
Current Sun
Sunrise
Sunset
Day Length
Current Color Temperature
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White Balance Tip: Set camera to or K for neutral, or leave on Daylight to preserve natural tones.
Golden Hour - Morning
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Color Temp: ~3000K (warm orange-gold) | Shoot facing: East for backlighting, West for soft front light
Golden Hour - Evening
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Color Temp: ~3000K (warm orange-gold) | Shoot facing: West for backlighting, East for soft front light
Blue Hour - Morning
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Color Temp: ~9000K (deep blue) | Best for: Cityscapes, seascapes, moody landscapes
Blue Hour - Evening
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Color Temp: ~9000K (deep blue) | Best for: Urban night scenes, buildings with lights on
Multi-Day Comparison
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length | Golden AM | Golden PM |
|---|
Shooting Direction Recommendations
- Sunrise (): Face East for dramatic backlighting and silhouettes, face West for soft, even front lighting
- Sunset (): Face West for backlighting, face East for warm golden tones on your subject
- Side lighting: Position the sun 90° to your subject for dramatic shadows and texture
- Golden hour portraits: Best with subject facing away from sun (backlit) with reflector or fill flash
Photography Tips
- Golden Hour: Arrive 15-20 minutes early to scout and set up
- Blue Hour: Use a tripod - longer exposures are needed (typically 1-30 seconds)
- White Balance: Set to daylight/sunny to preserve warm/cool tones, or use auto
- Lens Hood: Essential for golden hour to prevent flare when shooting towards the sun