Blue hour cityscapes and seascapes: planning the short tropical window
Blue hour bathes scenes in deep blue light that balances with artificial lights. Learn when it happens and how to make the most of it.
Blue hour is the period when the sun is just below the horizon and the sky glows deep blue. It happens both before sunrise and after sunset.
When it happens
In Yucatán, close to the tropics, blue hour is short, often 20 to 30 minutes. Arrive early, set up and shoot continuously.
Why it works
The sky’s brightness balances with streetlights and illuminated buildings, so you can capture both in one exposure without HDR.
Settings
Tripod, ISO 100, f/8 and exposures of 1 to 20 seconds as light fades. Check the histogram every few minutes.
Subjects
Cityscapes, lit churches and monuments, hotels and restaurants, real estate exteriors and beaches with piers.
White balance
Daylight white balance preserves the blue sky and warm artificial lights for a beautiful complementary contrast.
Morning blue hour
Before sunrise, places are empty and calm. Fishermen preparing boats in Progreso or empty plazas in Mérida make great subjects.
