As landscape photographers, we are naturally drawn to the magical transitions of light that bookend each day. There’s something truly captivating about witnessing the world transform as daylight fades into night, or darkness gives way to dawn. These periods, especially around What Time Does The Sun Set, offer light that is simply breathtaking. Mountain ranges glow, and skies explode with color as the sun dips below the horizon or climbs to greet a new day. Being outdoors during these moments is a reward in itself, but capturing stunning photographs during these transitions is an unparalleled feeling, especially if it involved a pre-dawn wake-up call.
However, understanding sunrise and what time does the sun set is more nuanced than simply “day to night” or vice versa, especially for photographers and those who navigate by celestial cues. The sky’s illumination doesn’t just switch off like a light bulb as the sun sets. There are distinct phases of light, each with unique characteristics. While I was familiar with the famed “Golden Hour” and its less celebrated sibling, “Blue Hour,” I was less aware of Civil, Nautical, and Astronomical Twilight. Three twilights? Intriguing! Learning about these different stages deepened my appreciation for those pre-dawn and post-sunset moments. Suddenly, the subtle shifts in the sky I’d observed countless times began to make perfect sense. Now, whether I’m out late or rising early, I find myself observing the sky, trying to discern the precise moment one twilight phase transitions into the next – a fascinating, albeit challenging, pursuit.
So, let’s delve into the characteristics and differences of these captivating periods of light surrounding what time does the sun set.
Understanding Sunset and Twilight
Before we dive into the specifics of Golden Hour and Blue Hour, it’s important to understand what time does the sun set actually signifies and how it relates to twilight. Sunset, in the most basic sense, is the moment the sun disappears below the horizon. However, the light show doesn’t end there. Twilight is the period after sunset (or before sunrise) where the sky is still illuminated, albeit indirectly, by the sun. This happens because even after the sun dips below the horizon, sunlight is still scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere.
Twilight is categorized into three main phases based on how far below the horizon the sun is: Civil Twilight, Nautical Twilight, and Astronomical Twilight. These phases, along with Golden Hour and Blue Hour, are all intrinsically linked to what time does the sun set and provide photographers with a spectrum of lighting conditions to explore.
Golden Hour: The Photographer’s Favorite
Golden Hour… the time of day when popular scenic viewpoints become crowded with photographers, all vying for the perfect tripod position. While the crowds can sometimes be a bit much, the light is undeniable, making it worth setting up for a shot. Golden Hour is prized for its warm, soft light, created by the low angle of the sun. This angle minimizes harsh shadows, bathing the landscape in a beautiful golden hue. Technically, there are two Golden Hours each day – one around sunrise and one around what time does the sun set. And despite the name, they aren’t always precisely an hour long. They can be shorter or longer depending on the time of year and your geographic location.
Alt text: Golden hour landscape photography showcasing the warm, soft light illuminating mountains and sky.
Specifically, Golden Hour occurs when the sun is positioned between 6 degrees above and 6 degrees below the horizon. In the morning, it begins when the sun is about 4 degrees below the horizon and continues until it rises above 6 degrees. The evening Golden Hour, around what time does the sun set, is simply the reverse. If you’re in a location like Alaska during the summer solstice, you might experience an extended Golden Hour, potentially lasting for many hours due to the sun’s shallow angle. While Golden Hour is a fantastic time to shoot and undoubtedly when many iconic landscape photographs are captured, the magic doesn’t stop there.
Blue Hour: The Underrated Gem
Blue Hour often feels overlooked, perhaps underappreciated, or simply unknown to many. In my opinion, photographers who don’t utilize Blue Hour are missing out on a unique opportunity. In contrast to the warm tones of Golden Hour, Blue Hour casts a cooler, more ethereal light across the landscape, creating a bluish, almost nocturnal atmosphere. The sky transitions from day to night, or night to day, displaying a stunning gradient from blue to orange. City lights begin to twinkle, yet the last remnants of sunlight still provide enough ambient light to capture details without artificial assistance. Photographing during Blue Hour, particularly around what time does the sun set, can produce striking silhouettes of horizon features and subtly illuminate scenes depending on your exposure settings.
