Why Blue Hour is Better for Photos Than Golden Hour

Everyone knows golden hour is supposed to be the perfect time of day for outdoor photography. But what about blue hour?

Golden hour is the much-beloved moment just before sunset when the sun is sinking low in the sky and casting a nice warm light over everything. It's definitely a magical time and it can make for some stunning photos.

However, it's our humble opinion that shooting at blue hour is even better than golden hour.

What is blue hour?

Blue hour isn't talked about quite as much as golden hour, but it makes for equally—maybe even more—magical photography results.

Blue hour is the time that comes right after golden hour, immediately following the sunset (or just before the sunrise).

The sun is below the horizon, but its residual rays are sticking around and suffusing the sky with an indirect, beautiful blue light.

Photographers love this time of day because it provides a soft natural light. You might also see some pink, purple, and red tones in the sky complementing the deep blue.

When does blue hour take place?

Like golden hour, aka the magic hour, blue hour often comes and goes so fast that it can be easy to miss. It doesn't typically last for a full hour but instead only 20 to 40 minutes.

The timing and duration of blue hour can change depending on your location, the quality of the air, and the season.

What do you need to photograph blue hour?

The key thing you'll need to photograph blue hour effectively is patience! It's best to get to your preferred location early and start testing out some compositions before blue hour hits. Because blue hour is so short, you'll want to be prepared.

Of course, the bonus of blue hour is that if you arrive early you can get in some golden hour and sunset shots before it begins.

Try checking out resources like The Photographer's Ephemeris to get the best information on exactly when blue hour will occur in your location.

You'll definitely want to also come prepared as you would for any other outdoor shoot, with warm clothing and protective cases for your camera gear in case bad weather comes your way.

And last but not least, a tripod will be a very useful tool for a blue hour photo shoot. Even if you're shooting with your phone, a phone tripod will go a long way in helping you capture the best blue hour snaps. If you don't have a tripod, try to find a stable location to prop up your camera for those long exposure shots.

Find more tips on shooting at blue hour here:

Why blue hour is better than golden hour

Okay, hear us out. We know golden hour is called the magic hour for a reason!

But we just think that the blue hour is a little more special. Here's why.

Blue hour photography is a challenge

Shooting at blue hour presents a special challenge simply because it's so brief! If you don't do your research first and come prepared, it can be all too easy to miss.

At the same time, you might be out walking with your camera one evening and suddenly notice that the perfect blue hour light has hit—blue hour can vary a lot.

Either way, when you do manage to capture it, it always feel special because you have to get those shots in fast. The time pressure creates a challenging environment which can help you perfect your shots. And capturing the variable lighting that characterizes blue hour is also a fun challenge even for expert photographers.

Blue hour photography gives a more unique look

Golden hour is so popular that it's been featured in Instagram hashtags over 7 million times! Blue hour? Just under 1 million.

Of course, Instagram is only one measure of popularity, and it's also possible that many photographers are shooting at blue hour and just don't know that it has a specific name. But golden hour can sometimes feel overdone. If you're after lighting that will make your photos feel a bit different from the rest, blue hour is your friend.

The unique tones you can capture during blue hour tend to make your photos stand out more. Depending on the sky, you may be able to capture vibrant color gradients of purple and red, or a soft, diffuse pink light which can lend a surreal feeling to your scene.

Blue hour photography creates great contrast

Bold contrast is a sure way to help your photos pop.

Shooting city lights or traffic during the blue hour gives your photos an incredible built-in contrast, as the bright reds and yellows of the lights will be set off perfectly by the brilliant blue of the sky.

Blue hour is the best for silhouette photography

Who doesn't love a sunset silhouette? Okay, sometimes the bright colors can make those images feel a little too perfect or even cheesy.

You can avoid this with blue hour silhouettes—the indirect light of blue hour is perfect for capturing silhouetted portraits that feel mysterious and moody.

Blue hour is full of surprises

One of the best things about blue hour is that it can actually last longer than it looks.

Blue hour really rewards patient photographers—even when it might look like all the light is gone from the sky and it's too dark to keep shooting, there may actually be some light left that your camera will be able to register even when your eyes can't.

The key is bringing along a tripod, of course, and keeping your exposure times long to really capture all the light that you can. You're likely to be (pleasantly) surprised by what results.

Cover photo by Sindre Strøm.