A wedding photographer in Cape Town needs to know when to start the outdoor couple portraits. The golden hour in late November starts around 18:45 and ends at 19:30. By checking this calculator, they schedule the portrait session for 18:30 to have buffer time before the light peaks.
A landscape photographer planning a trip to Iceland in June checks the golden hour times for Reykjavik. Because Iceland is at 64 degrees north, the golden hour lasts much longer than at lower latitudes. The calculator shows the evening golden hour starting at 22:00 and lasting until nearly midnight.
An architecture photographer in Tokyo wants to capture the city skyline during blue hour, when the sky has a deep blue tone and building lights are visible. The calculator shows blue hour starting at 17:15, 15 minutes after the 17:00 sunset. They arrive at the shooting location by 16:45 to set up.
A film crew shooting in Sydney needs to plan a sunrise scene. The morning golden hour begins 30 minutes before the 6:15 AM sunrise, around 5:45 AM. The blue hour before that starts at 5:15 AM. The crew uses this data to schedule call times and equipment setup.
Golden hour is the period when the sun is between -4 and 6 degrees above the horizon. During this window, sunlight travels through more atmosphere, scattering blue wavelengths and letting warm orange and red tones dominate. Shadows are long and the light has a soft, directional quality.
Blue hour is the period of twilight when the sun is between -6 and -4 degrees below the horizon. The residual indirect sunlight takes on a deep blue tone. City lights become visible and the sky has a gradient from blue to orange near the horizon. Blue hour is shorter than golden hour and requires faster shooting.
This calculator uses the SunCalc library, which implements solar position algorithms based on Jean Meeus's Astronomical Algorithms. It computes the exact times the sun crosses key elevation thresholds for any latitude, longitude, and date. The results are accurate to within about a minute at mid-latitudes.
The duration of golden and blue hour depends on latitude and season. Near the equator, the sun rises and sets almost vertically, so it passes through the golden hour elevation range quickly (about 30 to 40 minutes). At higher latitudes, the sun's path is more oblique, extending the golden hour to over an hour. Near the polar circles, golden hour can last for hours or not occur at all during polar night or midnight sun.
Input
New York, July 15, 2026
Output
Morning golden hour: 05:35 to 06:35. Evening golden hour: 19:50 to 20:50. Blue hour AM: 05:05 to 05:35. Blue hour PM: 20:50 to 21:20.
Summer golden hour in New York lasts about 60 minutes due to the oblique sun path.
Input
Singapore, March 21, 2026 (equinox)
Output
Morning golden hour: 06:55 to 07:25. Evening golden hour: 18:55 to 19:25. Blue hour AM: 06:25 to 06:55. Blue hour PM: 19:25 to 19:55.
Near the equator, golden hour is short (about 30 minutes) because the sun rises and sets steeply.
Input
Reykjavik, June 21, 2026 (summer solstice)
Output
Golden hour extends from late evening to early morning. No true blue hour because the sun never drops below -6 degrees.
At 64 degrees north, the sun barely sets in June. Golden hour conditions persist for hours.
Pitfalls to avoid
What to shoot during each light phase
What is golden hour in photography?
Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low on the horizon, between -4 and 6 degrees elevation. The light is warm, soft, and directional, producing long shadows and flattering skin tones. It is widely considered the best time for outdoor photography.
What is blue hour?
Blue hour is the twilight period when the sun is between -6 and -4 degrees below the horizon. The indirect sunlight takes on a deep blue tone, and city lights become visible. It is shorter than golden hour and works well for cityscapes, architecture, and long-exposure photography.
How long does golden hour last?
It depends on your latitude and the season. Near the equator, golden hour lasts about 25 to 35 minutes. At mid-latitudes (like New York or London), it lasts 45 to 60 minutes. At high latitudes (like Reykjavik), it can last several hours. Use the calculator for exact durations at your location.
Why is the golden hour sometimes called the magic hour?
Photographers use both terms. Golden hour refers specifically to the warm-toned period when the sun is near the horizon. Magic hour is a broader term that sometimes includes blue hour as well. In film production, magic hour often refers to the brief window of optimal light just before sunset.
Does golden hour happen twice a day?
Yes, there is a morning golden hour (starting just before sunrise) and an evening golden hour (ending just after sunset). The morning light is often cleaner and less hazy, while the evening light can be warmer and more dramatic due to atmospheric particles accumulated during the day.
What if the sun does not set at my location?
Above the Arctic Circle in summer, the sun may not drop below the horizon (midnight sun). In this case, golden hour conditions can persist for extended periods. In winter, the sun may not rise (polar night), meaning no golden hour occurs. The calculator shows null values when events do not occur.
How accurate are the calculated times?
The calculator uses the SunCalc library, which implements solar position algorithms from Jean Meeus's Astronomical Algorithms. Results are accurate to within about a minute at mid-latitudes. Local terrain, altitude, and atmospheric conditions can shift the actual golden hour by a few minutes.
What is the difference between civil twilight and blue hour?
Civil twilight is defined as the period when the sun is between 0 and -6 degrees below the horizon. Blue hour is a subset of civil twilight, specifically when the sun is between -6 and -4 degrees. The terms overlap but blue hour refers to the photographic quality of light, while civil twilight is an astronomical definition.
Golden hour and blue hour times are calculated using solar position algorithms accurate to within about a minute at mid-latitudes. Local terrain, altitude, and atmospheric refraction can shift actual times by a few minutes. The calculator assumes a flat horizon; obstructions like mountains or buildings will shorten the visible golden hour.