Sunrise & Sunset Times
Plan your golden hour shoots with seasonal timing and the best locations for each time of day.
February - This Month
Days lengthening. Seal watching season at Sandy Hook and Barnegat Light.
Understanding Light Conditions
Golden Hour
The first hour after sunrise and last hour before sunset. Warm, soft light that flatters subjects and creates long shadows. The most sought-after light for photography.
- Warm color temperature (2000-4000K)
- Soft, directional light
- Long shadows for drama
- Ideal for portraits & landscapes
Blue Hour
About 20-30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset when the sky takes on a deep blue hue. Perfect for cityscapes and scenes with artificial lighting.
- Cool color temperature
- Even, diffused light
- No harsh shadows
- Great for boardwalk lights
Midday
Bright, overhead sun creates harsh shadows and high contrast. Generally avoided, but can work for certain subjects like underwater photography or finding shade.
- High contrast light
- Harsh shadows
- Good for architectural details
- Use for underwater/pool shots
📷 Camera Settings for Shore Photography
Golden hour light changes rapidly. Here's how to nail your settings.
| Scenario | Aperture | Shutter | ISO | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌅Sunrise Silhouettes | f/8-f/11 | 1/125-1/250 | 100-200 | Expose for the sky, let subjects go dark. Silhouettes are intentional. |
| 👤Golden Hour Portraits | f/2.8-f/4 | 1/200+ | 200-400 | Position subject with sun behind them for rim lighting. Use a reflector or fill flash for faces. |
| 🏖️Beach Landscapes | f/8-f/16 | 1/60-1/250 | 100 | Use a tripod. Focus 1/3 into the frame for maximum sharpness front-to-back. |
| 🎡Blue Hour Boardwalk | f/8 | 2-8 seconds | 100-400 | Tripod required. Capture light trails and glowing signs. Arrive 20 min after sunset. |
| 🌊Wave Action | f/8 | 1/500+ (freeze) or 1/2+ (blur) | 100-800 | Fast shutter freezes spray. Slow shutter creates dreamy blur. Both work—pick your style. |
📱 Phone camera tips
Phone Camera Tips
Tap to expose for the sky
Touch the brightest part of the frame to darken the image and capture colors.
Lock exposure
Long-press to lock AE/AF so it doesn't shift when you recompose.
Use portrait mode carefully
It can clip edges of subjects against bright skies. Test first.
Shoot RAW if possible
iPhone ProRAW and Android RAW give more editing flexibility.
Clean your lens
Seriously. Sand and salt spray wreck phone photos. Wipe before shooting.
⏰ When to Arrive: Shot Timelines
Timing is everything. Here's when to arrive for the best shots.
Sunrise Shoot Timeline
Leave your rental
Traffic is light but parking takes time. Gear setup needs light.
Arrive at location
Scout your composition while there's still enough light to see.
Set up tripod & frame
Blue hour is starting. Get your composition locked in.
Start shooting blue hour
Deep blue sky, city lights still on. Magical time.
Watch for pre-dawn color
Pink and orange start appearing. Keep shooting.
Golden hour begins
Warm light. Shoot continuously—it changes every minute.
Best golden light
Sun is higher but still warm. Great for portraits.
Wrap up
Light is getting harsh. Review shots, head to breakfast.
Sunset Shoot Timeline
Check weather & clouds
Clouds make or break sunsets. Clear sky = less drama.
Arrive at location
Golden hour is starting. Good light for scouting.
Final composition
Sun is getting low. Commit to your spot.
Peak golden hour
Warmest light of the day. Shoot a lot.
Sun hits horizon
Classic moment. Capture the sun touching the water (if bayfront).
Afterglow
Often the best colors appear AFTER the sun sets.
Blue hour begins
Cool tones, city lights. Tripod time.
Blue hour peak
Darkest blue sky, brightest lights. Last shots.
🌤️ Weather Conditions for Photography
Not all weather is created equal. Here's what to hope for—and avoid.
⛅ Scattered Clouds
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Perfect. Clouds catch and reflect light, creating dramatic colors.
This is the jackpot. Drop everything and shoot.
☀️ Clear Sky
⭐⭐⭐Good light but less dramatic. Colors concentrated near horizon.
Still worth shooting. Focus on silhouettes and reflections.
☁️ Overcast
⭐⭐Flat, gray light. Sunrise/sunset colors muted or absent.
Skip the golden hour shoot. Try moody black & white instead.
🌫️ Fog/Mist
⭐⭐⭐⭐Ethereal and mysterious. Sun creates dramatic beams through haze.
Great for mood shots. Watch for sudden clearing—magical moments.
⛈️ Storm Approaching
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Dramatic skies with contrast between dark clouds and golden light.
BEST conditions for dramatic shots. Stay safe but shoot fast.
🌈 Post-Rain
⭐⭐⭐⭐Clean air, potential rainbows, wet surfaces reflect beautifully.
Look for reflections in wet sand and boardwalk puddles.
Reading the weather forecast
Reading the Forecast
Check cloud cover %
30-70% is ideal. 0% is boring, 100% is gray.
Look for "partly cloudy"
Weather apps use this phrase for the best photo conditions.
Watch the radar
Storms clearing at sunset = epic colors. Storms arriving = go home.
Consider humidity
High humidity creates haze. Good for mood, bad for sharpness.
🖼️ Composition Techniques
Great light alone isn't enough. Here's how to compose compelling shore photos.
↗️ Leading Lines
Use jetties, pier pilings, shorelines, and boardwalk railings to draw the eye into the frame.
Shore examples: Barnegat Lighthouse jetty, Ocean City boardwalk, Cape May beach fencing
💡 Position the line from a corner, leading toward your subject.
🪨 Foreground Interest
Include rocks, shells, driftwood, or beach grass in the bottom third of your frame.
Shore examples: Sandy Hook shells, Island Beach State Park dunes, jetty rocks anywhere
💡 Get low. A dramatic foreground makes skies look bigger.
🪞 Reflections
Wet sand during low tide creates mirror-like reflections of sky and clouds.
Shore examples: Any beach at low tide, especially wide beaches like Wildwood
💡 Arrive at low tide. Even a thin film of water creates stunning reflections.
🚶 Silhouettes
Place subjects between you and the sun. Expose for the bright sky.
Shore examples: Fishermen on jetties, couples walking, lifeguard stands, pier structures
💡 Simple shapes work best. People, umbrellas, and posts are iconic.
▦ The Rule of Thirds
Place the horizon on the top or bottom third line, never dead center.
Shore examples: Sky-heavy (dramatic clouds) vs water-heavy (calm reflections)
💡 More sky = dramatic. More water/sand = peaceful, minimalist.
🖼️ Frame Within a Frame
Shoot through pier pilings, lifeguard stand legs, or dune fencing.
Shore examples: Under Steel Pier, through Cape May promenade arches, dune crossovers
💡 Dark frames around bright scenes create depth and focus attention.
Common composition mistakes
Common Composition Mistakes
Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Times
Times are approximate for the central Jersey Shore (latitude ~39.5°N). Adjust by a few minutes for northern (Sandy Hook) or southern (Cape May) locations.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden Hour (AM) | Golden Hour (PM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:20 AM | 4:50 PM | 7:20-8:00 AM | 4:10-4:50 PM |
| FebruaryNow | 6:55 AM | 5:25 PM | 6:55-7:35 AM | 4:45-5:25 PM |
| March | 6:15 AM | 6:05 PM | 6:15-6:55 AM | 5:25-6:05 PM |
| April | 6:20 AM | 7:40 PM | 6:20-7:00 AM | 7:00-7:40 PM |
| May | 5:40 AM | 8:10 PM | 5:40-6:20 AM | 7:30-8:10 PM |
| June | 5:25 AM | 8:30 PM | 5:25-6:05 AM | 7:50-8:30 PM |
| July | 5:40 AM | 8:25 PM | 5:40-6:20 AM | 7:45-8:25 PM |
| August | 6:05 AM | 7:55 PM | 6:05-6:45 AM | 7:15-7:55 PM |
| September | 6:35 AM | 7:10 PM | 6:35-7:15 AM | 6:30-7:10 PM |
| October | 7:05 AM | 6:20 PM | 7:05-7:45 AM | 5:40-6:20 PM |
| November | 6:40 AM | 4:45 PM | 6:40-7:20 AM | 4:05-4:45 PM |
| December | 7:10 AM | 4:35 PM | 7:10-7:50 AM | 3:55-4:35 PM |
Best Sunrise Locations
Most Jersey Shore beaches face east, making them ideal for sunrise photography. Here are the top spots:
Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat Light
Sunrise shots from the beach looking up at the lighthouse
Convention Hall & Paramount Theatre
Asbury Park
Sunrise light illuminates the east-facing facade beautifully
Long Branch Pier Village
Long Branch
East-facing beach is perfect for sunrise
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Sandy Hook
Clear fall/winter days provide best NYC skyline visibility
Wildwood Beach Sign
Wildwood
Morning light provides even illumination on the letters
Best Sunset Locations
For sunsets, head to bayfront locations or Cape May Point where you can watch the sun set over the water. These spots offer the best evening light:
Cape May Lighthouse
Cape May Point
Sunset shots from the west side with the bay in background
Sunset Beach & Flag Ceremony
Cape May Point
Arrive 30+ minutes early for good positioning
Seasonal Photography Tips
🌸 Spring (March-May)
- Bird migration at Cape May - bring a telephoto lens
- Wildflowers blooming along dunes
- Fewer crowds for clean beach shots
- Unpredictable weather - watch for dramatic skies
☀️ Summer (June-August)
- Longest golden hours - more shooting time
- Vibrant boardwalk life and activity
- Heat haze can affect distant shots midday
- Arrive early to beat crowds at popular spots
🍂 Fall (September-November)
- Peak bird migration at Cape May Point
- Clear skies and less humidity
- Fall foliage at inland locations
- Dramatic storm photography opportunities
❄️ Winter (December-February)
- Seal watching at Sandy Hook and Barnegat Light
- Empty beaches for minimalist compositions
- Snow on the boardwalk - rare but stunning
- Victorian Christmas decorations in Cape May
Need Photography Equipment?
Rent professional cameras and lenses for your shore trip.