Cheat sheet · Urban

Camera settings for blue hour

The 20–40 minutes when the sun is 4–6° below the horizon: balanced skies and city lights.

ModeManual
Aperturef/8
Shutter1–30 s
ISO100
White balance4000–5000 K
Quick start: The 20–40 minutes when the sun is 4–6° below the horizon: balanced skies and city lights.

Starting exposures#

Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 8. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.

ApertureISO 100ISO 400ISO 1600ISO 6400
f/1.41/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 s
f/2.81/30 s1/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s
f/5.61/8 s1/30 s1/125 s1/500 s
f/81/4 s1/15 s1/60 s1/250 s
f/110.5 s1/8 s1/30 s1/125 s

Step by step#

  1. Use the golden hour calculator for exact times.
  2. Compose before it starts.
  3. Shoot continuously — the sky changes every minute.

Gear checklist#

  • Tripod
  • Remote

Pro tips#

  • Morning blue hour is quieter for city shots.

Common mistakes#

  • Arriving after it ends.
Cityscapes at nightShoot during blue hour on a tripod at f/8 for balanced sky and lights, with sunstars from … Sunset photographyExpose for the sky, protect highlights and keep shooting 20 minutes after the sun dips for…

Frequently asked questions#

What are the best camera settings for blue hour?

Aperture: f/8 · Shutter: 1–30 s · ISO: 100. The 20–40 minutes when the sun is 4–6° below the horizon: balanced skies and city lights.

What gear do I need for blue hour?

Tripod, Remote.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources