Blue Hour Is Measured in Minutes. Don't Miss It.
That perfect balance between city lights and ambient sky lasts 20-30 minutes. ShutterTime calculates the exact window so you're set up and shooting—not still looking for parking.
Sound familiar?
Arrived too late—sky was black
The lights were on, but the sky had no color. Just 20 minutes earlier and you would've had the shot.
Arrived too early—no lights on
Beautiful sunset sky, but buildings were dark. Waited around, missed the best sky color.
Overcast killed the colors
Blue hour needs some clear sky to work. Thick cloud cover just made everything gray.
Reflections ruined by wind
Planned for water reflections, but wind rippled the surface. Smooth reflections need calm conditions.
What ShutterTime tracks
Blue Hour
Precise timing when sun is -4° to -6° below horizon. The ~25 minute window when sky and lights balance.
Clear Horizon
Low clouds block the color gradient in the sky. Need some clear sky for blue tones to develop.
Calm Wind
For water reflections and long exposures. Calm water = mirror reflections of city lights.
No Rain
Wet streets can be good, rain during shooting isn't. Rain aftermath = reflections. Active rain = problems.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly is blue hour?
Blue hour occurs when the sun is between 4° and 6° below the horizon—after sunset (evening) or before sunrise (morning). The exact timing depends on your latitude and time of year. ShutterTime calculates the precise window for each location, typically lasting 20-30 minutes.
Why is blue hour better than night for cityscapes?
During blue hour, the sky still has color and the brightness is closer to the city lights. This means you can capture both without extreme exposure challenges. At true night, the sky is black and only artificial lights show—which can work, but loses the atmospheric quality.
Do I want clouds for cityscape photography?
It depends. Some clouds can add drama and catch color during blue hour. But thick overcast prevents the blue gradient from developing. The ideal is some high clouds for texture while keeping enough clear sky for the blue tones. ShutterTime tracks cloud cover at different altitudes.
Can I get alerts for perfect cityscape conditions?
Yes. Create a cityscape profile with blue hour as the target phase, clear horizon as must-have, and calm wind as nice-to-have (if you shoot reflections). Set score thresholds on your city viewpoints and get notified when all conditions align.
Related features
Golden hour and weather planning
Night sky and city light trails
Harbors and waterfront cityscapes