The golden hour is the spell, just after sunrise or before sunset, when the Sun is low on the horizon and the light is soft and golden. The key isn't just when, but where that Sun will fall relative to what you want to photograph.
What the app calculates
You mark a photographer → target line and Timelyshot scans the whole year looking for the days when the Sun is aligned with that line and near the horizon, at its rise or its set.
The result is a list of days with their time window and the best time for each, so you can pick the date that suits you best.
How to read the result
Date and typeThe day and whether it happens at sunrise or sunset.
Time windowThe range (e.g. 18:53–19:21) during which the Sun is aligned and low.
Best timeThe optimal instant within that window, when the alignment is most precise.
DeviationHow many degrees the Sun is off your exact line. The smaller it is, the more perfect the alignment (0° = spot on).
RatingA label such as "Excellent" to spot the best days at a glance.
Open horizon or mountains?
The Sun dropping over the sea is not the same as behind a mountain ridge. That's why you can set the terrain:
- Sea level / open horizon: looks for the low Sun, right on the horizon line.
- Mountains: you give the approximate height of the ridge and the app adjusts the calculation so the Sun appears just above it.
Tip: each calculation sweeps the whole year, so a single query shows all your opportunities and you pick the season you prefer.