Photo
Vienna 2023

During the blue hour, the sun is positioned approximately 4 to 6 degrees below the horizon. The resulting light is cold, steely, and imbued with rich hues of blue. Contrary to its name, the blue hour doesn’t last a full hour; its duration varies based on your location, the time of year, and weather conditions. However, it typically encompasses at least civil and nautical twilight, extending beyond what most people expect.

Recommended Camera Settings for Blue Hour Photography

1. ISO: Keep your ISO low (around 100-400) to minimize noise.
2. Aperture: Opt for a smaller aperture (higher f-number) to achieve greater depth of field.
3. Shutter Speed: Since light levels are lower, use a tripod and longer exposure times (seconds to minutes) to capture the scene without blur.
4. White Balance: Set your white balance to “Daylight” or “Tungsten” to enhance the blue tones.
5. Composition: Pay attention to framing, leading lines, and silhouettes. Experiment with different angles and perspectives.