Golden hour and light for photographers in Paris
Overcast: no golden hour, but the whole day works like a big softbox, great for portraits.
21°overcast, feels 20°, wind 7 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 | 07:20–07:32 | 74 % | Clean, warm light |
| Golden hour, morning | 07:32–08:33 | 100 % | Soft, diffused light |
| Golden hour, evening | 18:47–19:48 | 100 % | Soft, diffused light |
| Blue hour, evening | 19:48–20:01 | 63 % | Colourful sky |
A great day for an outdoor shoot.
7-day shoot planner
Best day for an outdoor shoot: Friday 2 October (10/10).
| Day | Morning golden | Evening golden | Evening light | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 2 October | 07:32–08:33 | 18:47–19:48 | Soft, diffused light | 10/10 |
| Saturday 3 October | 07:33–08:35 | 18:45–19:46 | Soft, diffused light | 10/10 |
| Sunday 4 October | 07:35–08:36 | 18:43–19:44 | Clean, warm light | 10/10 |
| Monday 5 October | 07:36–08:38 | 18:41–19:42 | Clean, warm light | 10/10 |
| Tuesday 6 October | 07:38–08:39 | 18:38–19:40 | Soft, diffused light | 10/10 |
| Wednesday 7 October | 07:39–08:41 | 18:36–19:38 | Rain | 7/10 |
| Thursday 8 October | 07:41–08:42 | 18:34–19:36 | Clean, warm light | 5/10 |
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 07:32–08:33, Evening 18:47–19:48.
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.