The Blue Hour

Usina Bridge, St. Augustine FL, night shot — The Blue Hour.

A friend, an expert photographer, led a photo shoot to St. Augustine, FL for the last evening of the Night of Lights. Each year the city adorns itself with white lights for the holiday season through January.

Though the rest of the town was beautiful, I was particularly taken by the lighted Francis and Mary Usina Bridge over the Tolomato River that fronts the historic city. My friend loaned me his tripod, enabling me to shoot this photo. It was my first serious attempt at nighttime photography.

The blue hour is the time after sunset that the sky remains blue before it suddenly turns to all black. Even with a layer of clouds, the blue showed through.

“The Blue Hour” is my Photo of the Week.

Author: Bruce Stambaugh

I am a writer, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, Anabaptist, and community activist. My life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. View all posts by Bruce Stambaugh

12 thoughts on “The Blue Hour”

Linda Meloy Schweikert says:

February 2, 2017 at 9:38 am

Beautiful photo!

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  February 2, 2017 at 9:39 am
  
  Thank you, Linda.
  
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melodiemillerdavis says:

February 2, 2017 at 9:49 am

I didn’t know that hour had a name! We definitely got some similar shots of the night time sky 2 years ago up near Myrtle Beach when the sky stayed so delightfully lit. Great shot! Photographers seem to like the hours immediately before and after sunrise, sunset.

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  February 2, 2017 at 10:54 am
  
  Thanks, Melodie. I didn’t know that either until we did this photo walk.
  Bruce
  
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RamblingLisa says:

February 2, 2017 at 11:21 am

Beautiful!!

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  February 2, 2017 at 11:31 am
  
  Thank you, Lisa.
  Bruce
  
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reaglespirit says:

February 2, 2017 at 7:39 pm

You done well Bruce !

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  February 2, 2017 at 9:21 pm
  
  Thanks, Roger.
  
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minimalistgrandma says:

February 3, 2017 at 5:08 pm

You did an amazing job at your first attempt! Beautiful!

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Bruce Stambaugh says:

February 3, 2017 at 5:25 pm

Thank you so much.
Bruce

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furrygnome says:

February 3, 2017 at 6:20 pm

Amazing photo for your first attempt at nightime shooting. Must have been a good teacher!

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  February 3, 2017 at 6:36 pm
  
  Thank you. Indeed, the instructors were great.
  Bruce
  
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