Golden HourCalculator
Find the exact golden hour and blue hour for any US city — today or any date. Perfect for landscape, portrait, and street photographers.
Golden Hour · New York, NY · April 26, 2026
All times in America/New_York timezone
📷Photography Guide
Golden Hour
The ~30–60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. The sun is low, light is warm and directional, casting long shadows that add depth and texture to any scene.
- Shoot with sun behind subject for rim lighting
- Face into sun for dramatic lens flare
- Use reflectors to fill shadow side
- Shoot RAW for maximum latitude
Blue Hour
The ~20–30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset when the sky turns a deep, even blue. City lights are still on, creating a beautiful balance between artificial and natural light.
- Use a tripod — you'll need long exposures
- ISO 100–400, f/8–f/11 for sharpness
- Perfect for cityscape and architecture
- Light changes fast — shoot quickly!
Avoid Midday
Between 10 AM and 3 PM, the sun is high and overhead. This creates harsh shadows under eyes, noses, and chins — unflattering for portraits. Seek shade instead.
- Seek open shade for portraits
- Great for silhouettes if backlit
- Use polarizing filter for blue skies
- Overcast days diffuse harsh light
Astronomical Twilight
When the sun is 12–18° below the horizon. The sky is dark enough for stars but your camera can still see some ambient light on the horizon. Perfect for Milky Way photography.
- ISO 1600–6400 for stars
- Wide aperture (f/1.8–f/2.8)
- 500 rule: 500 ÷ focal length = max seconds
- Check moon phase for darker skies
📅Today's Times —New York, NY
Select a city and click Calculate to update the table below.
| Event | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Select a city and click Calculate | ||