For Filmmakers & Cinematographers

Put the sun on your shooting schedule.

Find your backlight, check when the location falls into shadow, and choose the order of your exterior scenes. SunCast brings sun paths, 3D shadows and solar times to your iPhone or iPad.

Last updated: September 30, 2026

4.8 · US App Store

Same film set in warm, softer late-day light

Harsh Midday

Planned Light

How it works

Choose the location and shoot date
Check the light from each camera angle
Build your schedule around the light

Scout the light before you call action.

A beautiful location needs a workable light window. Check the subject position, camera direction and surrounding obstructions together, then compare the start and end of each scene.

Plan backlight and side light

Use the AR sun path on location to see where the sun will sit relative to your subject. Compare camera positions for dialogue, interviews or product shots before settling on the angle.

Find the end of direct light

Scrub the 3D shadow map through your shooting window to preview shadows from mapped buildings and terrain. A street can lose direct sun before sunset; plan your sun-dependent shots before that change.

Keep the shooting order workable

Compare sun direction across the day and group shots with similar lighting needs. Use golden-hour and twilight times as scheduling references, then allow for setup, rehearsals and changing cloud cover.

SunCast helps you plan natural light; it does not create shot lists or guarantee lighting continuity. Check map coverage, local obstructions and the forecast, and confirm the plan on location.

Built for the job

AR Sun Tracker

Check the sun’s direction against the scene from your actual camera position. Preview a future shoot date while you scout today.

iPhone showing the sun path drawn over a real building in AR

Realistic Shadow Mapping

Preview building and terrain shadows for the planned shooting window. Check the available map geometry against the real location.

iPhone map showing 3D building shadows across a city block

Sun Times & Position Data

Bring sunrise, sunset, golden hour, blue hour, azimuth and elevation into your planning notes. Keep the location’s time zone attached to every time.

iPhone showing sunrise, sunset, golden hour and blue hour times

Street View Sun Path

Overlay the sun’s path on a Street View panorama to scout the light at a distant location before you visit.

Check where the sun will appear in the scene at your planned date and time, then arrive with a clearer idea of your shooting or viewing angle.

iPhone showing the sun path over a Street View panorama

Solar Alarms

Set an alarm or notification for sunrise, sunset and other sun events, tailored to the moments you want to catch.

Get a prompt before the light changes so you can reach your viewpoint, set up your camera or simply step outside in time.

iPhone showing solar alarm settings for sun events

See all features

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does it support golden hour and blue hour times?

Yes. The Sun Timetable shows precise times for any location and any date — sunrise, sunset, solar noon, golden hour, blue hour, dusk, dawn, and civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight.

Can SunCast show where the sun will be on a future date?

Yes. Pick any date — past or future — and any location, and SunCast shows the full sun path, sunrise and sunset times, and shadow positions for that moment.

How accurate is the sun position?

SunCast uses precise astronomical calculations — accurate enough for professional photography, architecture, and location scouting. The sun moves gradually enough that results stay consistent across an entire neighborhood.

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