Golden Hour Now
Drone Shadow Mapping at Golden Hour: Responsible Planning Guide
Light planning comes only after flight legality and safety are independently confirmed.
Legality first
GoldenHourNow estimates light and sun direction; it does not authorize drone operations. In the U.S., use current FAA resources. FAA B4UFLY ↗
No universal shadow angle
Side light often emphasizes relief, backlight can reveal haze or silhouettes, and front light can show color more evenly. Use Sun Direction to understand the geometry; do not assume a 90-degree rule.
Operational constraints
- Airspace and authorization.
- Land-manager launch/landing rules.
- Wind, battery demand, and visibility.
- Temporary restrictions.
- Twilight/night requirements.
Camera planning
Hovering is not a ground tripod. Choose shutter speed around aircraft motion, wind, focal length, and subject motion. ND filters and shutter-angle conventions are creative tools, not safety rules.
Responsible workflow
Verify legality, pilot/aircraft requirements, airspace, land rules, and aviation weather first. Then use GoldenHourNow for photographic timing. End the operation whenever safety or current rules require it. FAA guidance ↗