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Today's Light

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Light Quality
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Today's Light Phases

24-hour overview — colored segments show each phase duration
12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am
Night
Twilight / Blue Hour
Golden Hour
Daylight
Blue Hour Morning
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Sunrise Official
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Azimuth: —
Golden Hour Morning
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Solar Noon Peak Sun
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Max elevation: —
Golden Hour Evening
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Sunset Official
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Azimuth: —
Blue Hour Evening
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Daylight Total
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Definitions: Golden hour is when the sun is 6° below to 6° above the horizon. Blue hour is when the sun is 4° to 6° below the horizon. Times are calculated for your exact location and date.

Sun Path Diagram

Interactive sun position throughout the day

N E S W
0° 30° 60° 90°

Current Sun Position

Elevation —
Azimuth —
Direction —
12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am

Key Events

7-Day Forecast

Plan your week's shoots around optimal light windows

Shooting Direction Guide

Optimal camera positioning for different times of day

Golden Hour (Morning)

Face: East to Southeast

Subject placement: Light source behind you for front-lit subjects, or position subject between you and sun for backlit silhouettes and rim lighting.

Best for: Warm, soft portraits; landscapes with long shadows; architectural details.

Midday (Harsh Light)

Face: North (in Northern Hemisphere) for open shade

Subject placement: Move into shade or use diffusers. Overhead sun creates unflattering shadows on faces.

Best for: Abstract shadows, minimalist architecture, underwater photography, or use fill flash for portraits.

Golden Hour (Evening)

Face: West to Southwest

Subject placement: Same as morning golden hour. Evening light often has warmer, redder tones.

Best for: Dramatic landscapes, portraits with warm skin tones, cityscapes as lights turn on.

Blue Hour

Face: Any direction — ambient light is even and diffused

Subject placement: City lights, water reflections, and artificial lighting become key subjects. Use tripod.

Best for: Cityscapes with twilight sky, neon signs, light trails, long exposures.

Pro tip: Arrive at your location 30-45 minutes before golden hour to scout compositions. The best light often lasts only 15-20 minutes at the peak of golden hour.

Camera Settings by Light

Recommended settings for each lighting condition

Golden Hour Portrait

Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/1.8 – f/2.8
ISO 100 – 400
White Balance Daylight / 5500K
Metering Spot on face
Focus Single + Eye AF

Golden Hour Landscape

Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/8 – f/11
ISO 100 (base)
White Balance Daylight
Metering Matrix / Evaluative
Extra Tripod, GND filter

Blue Hour Cityscape

Mode Manual
Aperture f/8 – f/11
Shutter 2 – 30 sec
ISO 100 – 400
White Balance Tungsten / 3200K
Extra Tripod essential

Sunrise/Sunset Silhouette

Mode Manual
Aperture f/8 – f/16
Exposure Meter for sky
ISO 100
White Balance Daylight
Focus Subject edge

Backlit Portrait

Mode Manual
Aperture f/2 – f/4
Exposure +1 to +2 EV
ISO 200 – 800
Metering Spot on face
Extra Reflector helpful

Sun Starburst

Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/16 – f/22
ISO 100
Timing Sun partially blocked
Focus Hyperfocal
Extra Lens hood off

Long Exposure Water

Mode Manual
Aperture f/11 – f/16
Shutter 1 – 30 sec
ISO 100 (base)
Filter ND 6–10 stop
Extra Tripod, remote

Window Light Portrait

Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/2 – f/4
ISO 400 – 1600
White Balance Daylight / Auto
Position 45° to window
Extra Reflector for fill

Quick Reference

Exposure for sunset? Meter on sky, subject goes dark
Backlit haze/flare? Use lens hood or hand shade
Sky blown out? GND filter or bracket exposures
Subject too dark? Reflector, fill flash, or expose +1/2 EV
Best starburst lens? More aperture blades = more rays
White balance for warmth? Daylight keeps warm tones; auto cools them
Blue hour tripod? Essential — exposures are 2-30+ seconds
File format? RAW — preserve highlight/shadow detail