Golden Hour & Light Direction
When the light is good — and which way it falls. The sun’s whole path, with the golden and blue bands marked.
Locating…
What are golden hour and blue hour?
Golden hour is when the sun sits between −4° and +6° of the horizon — warm, low, directional light. Blue hour is the deeper twilight from −6° to −4°, when the sky turns cobalt. On the dome above, those bands hug the horizon ring; at midday the sun climbs toward the centre. (Definition: NOAA / U.S. Naval Observatory.)
Photography tips & FAQ
Which way should I point my camera during golden hour?
The light comes from the sun’s bearing (shown on the dome and in each phase). Subjects facing that bearing are front-lit; turn 180° for back-light, rim-light and silhouettes. The lower the sun, the longer the shadows and the more three-dimensional the scene.
Blue hour is so short — how do I make it count?
Blue hour lasts only about 20–30 minutes and the light is dim, so use a tripod and a 2–10 second exposure. This is when the cobalt sky and city lights balance in colour temperature — the best window for cityscapes, light trails and architecture. Miss it and you wait until tomorrow.
How do I use the light direction to pick a spot?
Look at the bearing the tool gives you — it points at the sun. For side or back light that rims a ridge or building, put your subject to the side of the line between you and the sun; for warm front light, shoot with the sun behind you. Arrive 10 minutes early — the light changes fast.
Is it free, and how accurate is it?
Free, no ads, no sign-up. Times and bearings are computed with a high-precision astronomical engine (arc-second class). For offline use in the field, live bearings and an AR sky, get the Compass Altimeter app.
Sun and twilight times calculated by Compass Altimeter, our astronomy compass app.