Stop Guessing When to Shoot. Start Knowing.

Drove 2 hours for nothing

Arrived at golden hour to find flat overcast skies and no color. The apps said "partly cloudy"—but not where it mattered.

Juggling 4 different apps

Weather app, sun calculator, tide chart, wind forecast. By the time you've pieced it together, conditions have changed.

"Sunset at 7:43pm" isn't enough

Apps tell you when the sun sets. They don't tell you if clouds will block it, or if the light will actually be worth shooting.

500 shots, none worth processing

You captured everything—but the light was flat, the sky was boring, and the conditions never aligned with your vision.

Horizon Cloud Cover

We check cloud levels at the exact azimuth where the sun will rise or set. High clouds = color. Low clouds at horizon = blocked sun.

High Cloud (Dramatic Sky)

Cirrus and altocumulus catch light from below, creating texture and depth. Wispy high clouds are the difference between good and spectacular.

Wind Speed

Affects tripod stability, tree movement, dust, and water surface texture. Calm for reflections. Light breeze for grass movement. Strong = problems.

Golden/Blue Hour Phases

Precise timing based on sun angle, not just "around sunset." Know exactly when to be set up and shooting.

What's the difference between golden hour and blue hour?

Golden hour occurs when the sun is between -4° and +6° from the horizon, producing warm, directional light with long shadows. Blue hour occurs when the sun is between -6° and -4° from the horizon, after sunset or before sunrise, creating cool, even light with deep blue tones. ShutterTime calculates both phases based on your exact location.

Why do some sunsets have more color than others?

Sunset color depends on cloud composition at the horizon. High clouds (cirrus, altocumulus) catch light from below and create dramatic color, while low clouds at the horizon block the sun before it can paint the sky. ShutterTime tracks both total cloud cover and horizon-specific conditions at the exact azimuth of sunset.

How far in advance can you predict good conditions?

Weather forecasts are most accurate 1-3 days out, with reasonable accuracy up to 7 days. ShutterTime updates scores every 6 hours as new forecast data becomes available. We recommend checking 24-48 hours before your planned shoot for the most reliable predictions.

Can I set up alerts for specific conditions?

Yes. You can set score thresholds on any location and receive push notifications when conditions meet your criteria. For example, get alerted when Cathedral Rock scores above 85 for tomorrow's golden hour.

Seascape Photography

Tide planning synced with golden hour

Astrophotography

Milky Way visibility and dark sky planning

Woodland Photography

Fog, mist, and forest conditions