As the days get shorter and the weather starts to cool, golden hour arrives earlier – and it’s one of the best times to take in the view from ARO. The softer evening light brings out different colors in the skyline, and gives the residences and outdoor spaces a warm, glowing look.
This also happens to be a great time of day to take pictures. Maybe you’re creating content, saving a few photos from the season, or trying to catch the perfect Instagram Story before heading out for the night. From the rooftop to the views from home, ARO provides plenty of ways to work with the light without having to go anywhere. And, if you do want to step outside, the Hudson is close enough to make a glorious sunset become an anchor of your evening.
Get the Timing Right
In the fall, golden hour begins noticeably earlier as the weeks go on, so it helps to check the sunset time before you plan to shoot. Start about 45 minutes before sunset, when the light begins to lower and the skyline starts picking up warmer tones.
As the season moves into late fall, that window can arrive surprisingly early in the afternoon. And because Midtown’s buildings can block direct sunlight before the official sunset, it’s worth getting into position a little sooner than you think.
Don’t pack up as soon as the sun disappears, either. The 10 to 20 minutes after sunset can be just as good for photos, especially from ARO’s windows and outdoor spaces, when the sky cools to softer pinks and blues and city lights start to come on.
Use ARO’s Windows as Part of the Shot
Some of the best golden-hour photographs don’t need to be taken outside.
From a residence with a skyline-facing view, try positioning yourself near the window and letting the city become the backdrop. Instead of photographing the skyline straight on, include a little of the interior – a chair, a table, or the edge of the room – to give your image a sense of place.
For a cleaner skyline photo through glass, move the camera or phone as close to the window as possible and turn off any nearby lamps. This simple trick helps reduce reflections.
And don’t automatically brighten a sunset photo. On a smartphone, tap the brightest part of the sky and lower the exposure slightly. An adjustment around -0.3 to -1 exposure can keep the sky from washing out, and will preserve more of those orange and pink tones.
Try Backlighting
Golden hour is especially flattering when the sun is behind the person or object you’re photographing.
On ARO’s rooftop or terrace spaces, position your subject between the camera and the setting sun. You’ll often get a thin rim of warm light around them while the skyline stays visible in the background.
On a smartphone, tap your subject’s face to direct the camera’s exposure, then reduce the brightness just enough to keep some color in the sky. If the image becomes slightly silhouetted, that isn’t necessarily a mistake – against the Midtown skyline, a darker figure or architectural detail can make the sunset feel even more dramatic.
Lens flare can also work in your favor. Let the sun just peek around the edge of a building, railing, or subject rather than placing it directly in the center of the frame.
Take the Camera to the Pool
ARO’s pool and amenity spaces give golden hour another advantage: reflections off the water.
Instead of photographing the pool straight across, try getting slightly lower and using the water to mirror the evening sky or surrounding architecture. A vertical composition can capture both the reflection and skyline, while a wider horizontal frame can emphasize the space itself.
This is also a good moment to experiment with symmetry. Look for clean lines, reflections, and repeating architectural elements rather than trying to fit everything into one shot.
Head West for the Sunset Itself
When you want an unobstructed view of the final moments of the day, head toward the Hudson River.
The west-facing waterfront is one of the easiest places near Midtown West to watch the sun drop toward the horizon. Arrive before sunset rather than right at it – you’ll have time to find a composition and photograph the changing light instead of chasing it.
Try using the river as the foreground rather than zooming directly into the sun. Boats, piers, silhouettes, and reflections can give the photograph more depth and make it feel distinctly New York.
Then turn around.
Some of the best shots may actually be behind you, as the last warm light reflects off Midtown’s buildings.
Keep Shooting After the Sun Goes Down
The few minutes immediately after sunset can be just as breathtaking.
This is when the city starts doing some of the work for you: windows illuminate, streetlights come on, and the sky often holds onto its color. Back at ARO, that transition can create a completely different view from the one you photographed 20 minutes earlier.
If you’re using a camera, this is where a steady hand – or a tripod – becomes useful as shutter speeds get slower. On a smartphone, Night Mode can help, but try holding the device against a railing or another stable surface for a sharper image.
And take fewer photos than you think you need. Watch how the light changes, choose a frame, and wait for the right moment.
The Best Camera Might Be the One You Put Away
Golden hour photographs well because it doesn’t last. That may be the best part of it.
Catch the changing skyline through the windows at ARO. Bring a drink outside and watch the light move across the rooftop. Photograph the reflection at the pool. Walk toward the Hudson before sunset and let the city lead the rest of the evening.
Take the photo – but leave a few minutes to enjoy the view without one, too. See the view for yourself: schedule a tour of ARO today.