In travel photography, light can either be your best friend or a horribly mismatched travel companion. The way the light enters and consumes the scene can either enhance or diminish the destination’s beauty. The best travel photographers know how to spot and utilize the ‘right light’, making their photos leap off the page and irresistible to fellow travelers.

The light at the very beginning and end of each day – the so-called ‘golden hour’ – is the most popular among photographers, and works particularly well with city photos. The low-angled light, the long shadows, the contrasting light and dark, and the vivid colors of dawn and dusk allow a city’s beauty to shine through (no pun instead), without all the hustle and bustle of surrounding tourists and residents getting in the way.

Take a look at following 15 dusk and dawn photos of cities around the world that have been submitted to the Capture the City photo competition so far that really showcase this magical time of day.

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Amsterdam canal frozen over as the sun sets – Photo by Maddie S

 Dusk falling over the Toronto skyline – Photo By Dario E

Evening traffic illuminates downtown Seattle - Photo By Walter C

Heavenly light over St. Peter’s Basilica and the Tiber River in Rome - Photo By Jason L.

Moscow, Russia during the White Nights – Photo By Steve T

Lighthouse view of Puerto Vallarta as the sun touches the horizon – Photo By Shanti G

Night settling in over Prague – Photo By Kumiko N

San Cristobal Hill, Santiago in the twilight of winter – Photo By Claudio A

Sunrise light in Venice – Photo By Brice C

Sunset framing the Eiffel Tower from Place de la Concorde, Paris - Photo By Christophe S

Sun making its descent over the National Grand Theatre in Beijing - Photo By Dario E

Sunset illuminating the Clock Tower, London – Photo By Qiong L

Sunset view of the Sforza Castle in Milan – Photo By Christophe S

The Golden Gate Bridge as the golden hour slips into night, San Francisco - Photo By Dany C

The Sydney Opera House enveloped in a sea of purple  Photo By Kumiko N

Top 15 Cities In The All Over The World + Sunrise, Sunset: City Ahotos At The Golden Hour
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