Chase the Light is the essential tool for cinematographers, photographers, and anyone who lives for the magic of natural light.
Know exactly when golden hour begins where you're standing. Every time is calculated for your GPS coordinates and today's date, and live weather tells you what the light will actually look like.
THE LIGHT LOOP — YOUR DAY'S LIGHT AT A GLANCE
A 24-hour loop on the home screen shows where you are in the day, from soft daylight through golden hour, blue hour and night. As golden or blue hour approaches, it opens up with a live countdown to the next phase. The rest of the day it folds into a compact capsule, out of your way. Tap any phase to see when it starts today, what the light looks like, and how to shoot it.
SEVEN PHASES OF LIGHT — PRECISELY TIMED
Every cinematographer knows the best light lasts only minutes. Chase the Light times every phase of the day for your exact location and date:
- Night — Full darkness. Stars and long exposures.
- Astronomical Twilight — The sky begins to glow. Deep navy hues emerge.
- Nautical Twilight — Rich indigo and violet tones. The horizon comes alive.
- Blue Hour — Cool ethereal blue light. No shadows. Pure atmosphere. Also known as civil twilight.
- Golden Hour — Warm, soft, directional light. The magic begins.
- Low Sun — Warm, angled light. Long dramatic shadows.
- Soft Light — Gentle daylight. Flattering and cinematic.
LIVE ACTIVITY — THE COUNTDOWN ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN
Open the app around golden or blue hour and follow the countdown on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, phase by phase, without unlocking your phone. With Pro alerts on, it starts on its own.
APPLE WATCH
The Light Loop on your wrist, free for everyone. The loop runs around the edge of the watch screen with the countdown to your next alert or the next golden or blue hour, a second page turns with the Digital Crown through the day's phases with a shooting tip for each, and complications bring the loop to your watch face and the Smart Stack. Light alerts on the wrist are part of Pro.
LIVE SUN TRACKING
A real-time cinematic sun arc shows the sun's exact position in the sky right now. Watch it move. Know where it's heading. The arc updates every second with the sun's true altitude and azimuth for your coordinates.
SUNRISE & SUNSET FORECASTS
Not just the times — but what the light will actually look like. Cloud cover, weather conditions, and a Great/Good/Poor light quality rating tell you whether to set your alarm or sleep in.
LIVE SATELLITE IMAGERY
See the actual clouds over your region right now with live GOES satellite imagery. Know what's coming before you pack your gear.
DEPARTURE REMINDERS
Set notifications for exactly when you need to leave to reach your shooting location on time. Account for travel time and setup. Never miss the light because you left too late.
GLOBAL LOCATION SEARCH
Search any city or location worldwide. Planning a shoot in Iceland? Patagonia? The Sahara? Chase the Light works everywhere.
REAL-TIME WEATHER
Current conditions, temperature, cloud cover, humidity, wind speed, and a 24-hour forecast strip with golden and blue hour windows highlighted.
FREE AND PRO
Free: the Light Loop and all seven light phases, the sun arc, current weather, the 24-hour forecast strip, live satellite imagery, the Lock Screen countdown when you open the app around golden or blue hour, and the full Apple Watch app with its complications. Chase the Light Pro adds light alerts on iPhone and Apple Watch — golden hour, blue hour, sunrise and sunset, with lead times for travel — a Live Activity that starts on its own, and your choice of weather source.
Built by a cinematographer, for cinematographers. Because the best light only lasts minutes.
Chase it.
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