Golden hour and light for photographers in New York
Overcast: no golden hour, but the whole day works like a big softbox, great for portraits.
27°clear, feels 29°, wind 19 km/h
Soft, diffused light. Overcast: no golden hour, but the whole day works like a big softbox, great for portraits.
| Window | Time | Cloud | Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue hour, morning | 06:26–06:36 | 9 % | Clean, warm light |
| Golden hour, morning | 06:36–07:30 | 9 % | Clean, warm light |
| Golden hour, evening | 18:02–18:55 | 95 % | Soft, diffused light |
| Blue hour, evening | 18:55–19:05 | 100 % | Flat grey light |
A great day for an outdoor shoot.
7-day shoot planner
Best day for an outdoor shoot: Wednesday 7 October (10/10).
| Day | Morning golden | Evening golden | Evening light | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 2 October | 06:36–07:30 | 18:02–18:55 | Soft, diffused light | 9/10 |
| Saturday 3 October | 06:37–07:31 | 18:00–18:53 | Clean, warm light | 9/10 |
| Sunday 4 October | 06:38–07:32 | 17:58–18:51 | Rain | 8/10 |
| Monday 5 October | 06:39–07:33 | 17:56–18:50 | Clean, warm light | 9/10 |
| Tuesday 6 October | 06:41–07:34 | 17:55–18:48 | Clean, warm light | 8/10 |
| Wednesday 7 October | 06:42–07:35 | 17:53–18:46 | Clean, warm light | 10/10 |
| Thursday 8 October | 06:43–07:36 | 17:51–18:45 | Clean, warm light | 10/10 |
How we calculate it
The golden hour is when the sun is between 4° below and 6° above the horizon: warm light, long soft shadows. The blue hour is when the sun is 6° to 4° below the horizon: a deep blue sky for city and evening portraits. Times come from the NOAA solar equations for each city; the light quality from the forecast of low, mid and high cloud at that time.
Frequently asked
01When is golden hour today?
Morning 06:36–07:30, Evening 18:02–18:55.
02Can I shoot on an overcast day?
Yes. An even cloud layer works like a huge softbox: soft light with no harsh shadows, flattering for portraits and skin. You just won't get golden-hour colour.