Blue and golden hour

On this page: Blue and golden hour — Parents: Fotografische Techniken — Photography, Technology & Science at the Tenckhoff Photo Archive.

The blue and golden hours refer to unique light phases during sunrise and sunset. The blue hour creates soft, cool light, while the golden hour bathes everything in warm, golden tones. Both timeframes offer perfect conditions for capturing atmospheric photography.

Sydney in Light and Time

Light trails on the Harbour Bridge at night – motion meets structure.

A photographic journey through Sydney using light trails, long exposures, and stunning images of the Harbour Bridge, skyline, and Opera House – from golden hour to blue hour.

In the Light of History: The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei at Golden Hour

Blue hour at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei

Experience Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial at golden and blue hour: stunning architecture, rich history, and unforgettable photo opportunities on Liberty Square.

Avignon Photo Becomes Book Cover

Learn how a stunning photo of Avignon became the cover for Paul Schaffrath’s crime novel 'The Saber of Roussillon'. A blend of photography and storytelling.

Lucerne at night

The Kapell Bridge with water tower over the Reuss

At blue hour and later, the Kappel and Spreuer bridges in Lucerne present a special atmosphere and their reflections in the Reuss further enhance their effect.

Avignon - Night and Day

At blue hour, the magnificent reflections of the Papal Palace of Avignon and the Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge appear in the Rhône.

Saltstraumen, the world's strongest tidal current

The bridge over the Saltstraumen at blue hour

The world's strongest tidal current is near the Norwegian city of Bodø. It impresses with its large whirlpools, which produce water masses reaching speeds of almost 40 km/h.

Night shots in Tortosa

Castillo de la Suda and the Cathedral of Tortosa over the River L'Ebre

Recordings in Tortosa during the blue hour are worthwhile. Then the castle de la Suda, the cathedral and the market hall are reflected in the silvery shining river Ebro.

Blue hour over the cathedral island on the Oder in Wroclaw

Blue hour over the cathedral island on the Oder in Wroclaw - on the right you can see the two towers of the cathedral.

High tide at the blue hour

The view over the Rhine to the west bank, including the crane houses, is particularly impressive at the blue hour.

The Dolsandaegyo Bridge

To get to the best location for the view of the impressive "Dolsandaegyo Bridge", you either go up by elevator or by cable car from the other side of a park.

Hamburg at the blue hour

From the jetties in Hamburg you can reach an excellent photo spot through the Elbe tunnel.

Cool photo spots at the "blue hour"

Photospot in Hamburg: "Castle in the warehouse district" in the blue hour

Cool photo spots in Hamburg e.g. the Hamburg Landungsbrücken, the Elbphilharmonie, the little castle in the Speicherstadt etc.

Blue hour at the port of Riga

In the blue hour, the orange, yellow and green tones of the harbor lighting come into their own.

Blue hour in the port of Zadar

Zadar in Croatia has a very beautiful old town, but it is worth leaving the narrow streets to take pictures of the port facilities at the blue hour.

Photo technique: "Blue Hour"

Recordings at the blue hour can evoke a mixture of unsettling melancholy and uncertain concern.

Blue hour in the Bay of Osaka

From the right room in the right hotel you have an impressive view of the Bay of Osaka.

Blue hour and Tokyo's skyscrapers

When people turn on the lights in their apartments at home during the blue hour, unique shots of window fronts are achieved.

Cologne Cathedral at the blue hour

Cologne Cathedral at the blue hour - the classic photo motif that is often taken by photographers from the Rhineland.

Cologne's "Crane Houses" at the blue hour

Die Kölner "Kranhäuser" am Rhein zur Blauen Stunde

Photographing the crane houses on the Rhine in Cologne from the opposite side is always attractive.

Blue Hour on the Outer Hebrides

After the blue hour over Lewis, Outer Hebrides

Landscapes can appear particularly effective long after the blue hour if the residual light is still illuminating the surroundings.

Subscribe to Blue and golden hour