Dubai: the Burj Khalifa at Dusk Over the Gulf

Dubai faces the Persian Gulf to the northwest, and the sun sets directly over the water from Jumeirah Beach from October through February. The Burj Khalifa (828 m, the world's tallest building) catches the last golden light on its glass spire some 5 to 10 minutes after the surrounding city enters shadow. Sunrise comes from the east; from the Burj Khalifa observation deck, the Hajar Mountains in Oman glow orange before the glass forest of Dubai Marina appears in warm light. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the old creek district of wind-tower houses, catches soft morning light on whitewashed walls. At 25.2°N, golden hour lasts about 25 minutes. Dubai's extreme summer heat makes outdoor photography before 7am and after 5pm the only practical window from June through September; winter (November through March) allows comfortable all-day shooting.