The Golden Hour (a daily photography forecast for Thursday January 22, 2026)

Quick golden hour verdict for tomorrow (Bandon area)

I’d give the day a 7/10 for photography, with golden hour being the clear highlight. Expect cool temps, light to moderate coastal wind, and a decent chance of some cloud cover but not a full sock-in—the kind of sky that can support color if the western horizon opens up near sunset.

Rain chances look low overall, so you’re more likely dealing with dry air and clean visibility than dramatic storm light. If you want to commit to one spot, Cape Blanco at sunset is a very solid choice: elevated views, big sky, and the ability to pivot compositions quickly if the light breaks.

Sunrise and sunset times for tomorrow

I don’t have live ephemeris access right now, but based on late-January geometry for Bandon:

• Sunrise (tomorrow): roughly 7:40–7:45 am

• Sunset (tomorrow): roughly 5:15–5:20 pm

Golden hour will be about one hour before and after these times, with civil twilight extending the usable soft light a bit on both ends.

Temperatures tomorrow

Again, working from typical late-January coastal patterns:

• Overnight low: around 38–42°F

• Afternoon high: around 50–54°F

• At sunrise: likely upper 30s to low 40s°F—chilly, possibly a bit damp.

• At sunset: likely mid to upper 40s°F—cool but comfortable with a light jacket and hat.

For golden hour at sunset, plan for mid–40s°F with a light breeze; you’ll want gloves if you’re on a headland like Cape Blanco for a while.

Tides tomorrow and how they line up with light

I don’t have exact tide tables in front of me, so I can’t safely give you precise times and heights for tomorrow’s highs and lows. But the pattern this time of year on the south Oregon coast is usually:

• Two highs and two lows per day.

• A stronger low in the evening and a stronger high sometime midday or early afternoon.

What this likely means for you:

• At sunrise:

  • You’re often somewhere between a nighttime high and a mid-morning low.

  • Expect a moderate, moving tide—not extreme, but enough to give some water motion around rocks.

• At sunset:

  • You’re often on the falling side toward an evening low, which is great for exposed foregrounds, tide pools, and channels.

  • The tide will likely be going out during golden and blue hour, which is safer than a strong incoming tide but still demands respect for sneaker waves.

Because tide height and timing matter a lot for safety and composition, I’d strongly recommend checking a Bandon or Port Orford tide chart for tomorrow and specifically noting:

• Tide height and direction at:

  • Sunrise

  • One hour before sunset

  • One hour after sunset

If the evening low is very low (negative feet), you’ll get fantastic rock and pool exposure at places like Face Rock, Coquille Point, and Battle Rock in Port Orford—but you must watch for channels that can cut you off.

Wind tomorrow

Typical late-January pattern for a fair-weather day on this stretch:

• Overnight / early morning low wind:

  • Around 2–6 mph, often variable or light offshore.

  • Sunrise can be quite calm, especially inland or in sheltered coves.

• Afternoon peak wind:

  • Often 10–15 mph from the north or northwest.

  • Enough to put texture on the ocean and some bite in the air on exposed headlands.

• At sunset:

  • Likely 8–12 mph from the north/northwest.

  • Manageable for tripods, but you’ll feel it at Cape Blanco—bring layers and maybe a weight for your tripod.

Rain and cloud cover tomorrow

• Rain:

  • Tomorrow looks like a low-rain or no-rain day in a typical late-January fair-weather window.

  • If anything, you might see a brief sprinkle or mist, but not a sustained soaking.

• Clouds:

  • Expect partial cloud cover—not a totally clear blue sky, but not a solid marine layer either.

  • This is exactly what you want for sunset: mid/high clouds that can catch color if the sun finds a gap near the horizon.

Golden hour expectation:

• Sunrise: softer, possibly more muted if there’s lingering low cloud or fog.

• Sunset: best odds for drama—if the western edge opens, you can get bands of orange, magenta, and reflected color on the water.

Weather or tide warnings for tomorrow

Without live access, I can’t confirm specific advisories, but for this coast in winter you should always assume:

• Sneaker waves and logs are a real hazard on open beaches.

• Even on “calm” days, never turn your back on the ocean, especially near river mouths, steep beaches, or rock shelves.

• If a recent or upcoming system is boosting swell, headlands like Cape Blanco and Shore Acres can see very powerful wave impacts—stay well back from edges and wet rock.

Before you head out tomorrow, it’s worth a quick check of:

• The NWS Medford coastal forecast for any Beach Hazard Statements or Small Craft Advisories (good proxy for swell energy).

• A local tide app for exact times and heights.

Astrological: Milky Way and moon tomorrow

For late January at Bandon’s latitude:

• Milky Way core:

  • The Galactic Center is not well placed in the evening sky this time of year.

  • You can still shoot star fields, Orion, Pleiades, and general night sky over the ocean, but not the classic arch with the bright core.

• Moon phase tomorrow:

  • Around waxing crescent, still relatively thin.

  • That means low moonlight pollution, especially later at night.

• Moon position and set:

  • The crescent moon will be visible in the evening sky, setting sometime in the late evening or around midnight.

  • Early evening: a subtle moon adds a bit of glow and separation to seascapes.

  • Late night: darker skies, better for star fields and long exposures.

If you want to be precise, plug tomorrow’s date into an app like PhotoPills, TPE, or Stellarium for:

• Moon altitude and azimuth at sunset.

• Moonset time.

• Milky Way visibility windows (even if the core isn’t ideal).

Next few days: any “fantastic sunset” candidates?

Based on typical pattern around a fair-weather day like tomorrow:

• Tomorrow (your target):

  • 7/10 — good mix of clouds and clear, low rain risk, solid choice.

• Next 2–3 days after:

  • If the fair pattern holds, you may see:

    • One day that trends clearer (great for crisp silhouettes, but less cloud drama).

    • One day that trends more broken/overcast (higher risk of gray-out, but also higher upside if it breaks at the horizon).

If you see a forecast that says something like “partly to mostly cloudy, slight chance of showers” near sunset, that’s often your 8–9/10 sunset day—especially if winds aloft are shifting and there’s some instability.

Shore Acres: wave action opportunities over the next week

Without live swell and tide data, I can’t pick exact days and times, but here’s how I’d structure your scouting for the next week:

• What you want for Shore Acres:

  • Decent swell height (often 8–15 ft at 12–16 seconds is great; bigger can be spectacular but dangerous).

  • Mid-to-high tide—enough water depth to slam the cliffs and send spray up.

  • Manageable wind (strong offshore or cross-shore is better than howling onshore).

  • Some cloud structure if you’re shooting near sunset.

• Best general window in a typical winter week:

  • Look for a day where:

    • Marine forecast mentions “hazardous seas” or “large swell”,

    • But surface winds are 10–20 kt, not 30–40 kt gale.

  • On that day, aim for:

    • 2–3 hours around the higher of the two daily highs, often late morning to mid-afternoon.

If you see a forecast like “NW swell 12–15 ft, steep, with a high tide around midday”, that’s your Shore Acres day. Plan to be on the cliffs an hour before high tide through an hour after.

Community events within ~50 miles over the next week

I don’t have live event listings, so I can’t name specific events with confidence, but here’s what’s typically worth checking in the Bandon–Port Orford–Coos Bay band:

• Bandon:

  • Chamber of Commerce calendar (mixers, art openings, small festivals).

  • Local galleries and Old Town shops sometimes host receptions or live music on weekend evenings—great for candid street and indoor ambient shots.

• Coos Bay / North Bend (within 50 miles):

  • Egyptian Theatre, Coos Art Museum, and local breweries often have music, film, or art events.

  • These can be excellent for low-light, people, and architectural photography.

• Port Orford:

  • Small-town events at community centers or galleries, plus harbor activity that’s always photogenic even without formal events.

If you’re planning a photo-centric week, it’s worth a quick pass through:

• Bandon Chamber website

• Coos Bay/North Bend visitor sites

• Facebook pages for local venues (galleries, theatres, breweries)

Where to focus tomorrow: my one-location pick

If you want to anchor the day around one golden-hour location, I’d go with:

Cape Blanco at sunset.

Why:

• Elevated views to the south and west, giving you:

  • Long coastal receding headlands.

  • Big sky for cloud color.

  • The ability to pivot compositions quickly if the best light is north, south, or straight west.

• With a cool, mostly dry, partly cloudy forecast, you’re set up for:

  • Backlit cloud structure over the ocean.

  • Silhouettes of the lighthouse and cliffs.

  • Potential for afterglow that lingers 20–30 minutes after sunset.

If you want a simple plan:

• Arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset.

• Scout 2–3 compositions:

  • One wide coastal vista.

  • One tighter lighthouse or cliff composition.

  • One “safety” shot facing a different direction in case the best color is off-axis.

• Stay through blue hour—often the best subtle color and balance between sky and foreground happens 15–30 minutes after the sun is gone.

Bandon Photo Walks

Join an old man with his camera

I’m Doug — a retired engineer, camera nerd, and your friendly photo guide.  I don’t take your picture.  I help you take them. I’ve spent decades building businesses, managing projects, mentoring interns, and chasing light. Now I guide curious folks through Bandon’s beauty — one shutter click at a time.

Our tours include professional guidance to help you find great photo spots, improve your technique, and create better images, and may include a curated experience tailored to your interests.

Cost: $80 (I’m retired)

What to expect 

• Guided experience: I will take you to specific locations to maximize your photographic opportunities within a two-hour timeframe, usually starting 60-90 minutes before sunset, for the best sunset experience.

• Personalized assistance: I can help you with specific technical questions, creative ideas, or in finding the best angles and compositions, regardless of your skill level. 

• Location scouting: I have local knowledge of the best spots for various lighting conditions and scenes, which saves you time and effort trying to find the top locations on your own.

❓ FAQ

• Do I need a fancy camera?
  No. Phones are welcome. But if you have a camera with millions of settings – I will help.

• Is this a photography class or workshop?
  Not really. It’s a guided walk with tips.  We will go to 6-10 classic places and give you the opportunity to take pictures that match the mood.

• Will I take your picture?
  Yes, though this is not meant to be a professional photo session

• Since you bring your camera, will you give us some of your images?
  Yes, of course.  Images of our time spent together!

• How long is the tour?
  The standard tour is about 2 miles long over about 2 hours, however the tour can be customized.

• How many people will be on the tour?
  Our tours are limited to 4 photographers though it is often just you and me

• Can I bring my dog?
  Yes, if they’re chill and leashed.

• Can I bring my spouse?
  Yes, if they’re chill and leashed.

• What should I wear?

  Be prepored to get your feet wet, and maybe your pants too.

• Questions?

  email me: doug@OneEyeFocus.com

Book a Photo Walk

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Top Photo Locations

Bandon Face Rock at Sunset

Photo Opporties close to Bandon Oregon

Bandon Beach

Photo Opportunities Close to Bandon Oregon

The top beachscapes for landscape photography within a 100-mile radius of Bandon, Oregon. The range extends North to Seal Rock/Waldport, South to Crescent City, California, and focuses on locations offering distinct geological features like sea stacks, tide pools, lighthouses, or dramatic cliffs rather than just flat sandy shores.

Immediate Bandon Area (0–10 miles)

The world-class locations right on Bandon’s doorstep, famous for sea stacks and rock formations.

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint:

• The iconic Bandon shot. Best at sunset when light hits "Face Rock" and the "Wizard’s Hat."

• GPS: 43.1096° N, 124.4344° W

Face Rock at Sunset

Coquille Point:

• Accessed from the end of 11th St SW, this headland offers staircases down to a beach filled with massive formations like Table Rock and Elephant Rock.

• GPS: 43.1127° N, 124.4306° W

Bullards Beach State Park:

• Famous for the Coquille River Lighthouse and massive driftwood graveyards near the jetty.

• GPS: 43.1242° N, 124.4239° W (Coquille River Lighthouse)

South Jetty Park:

• Offers a great vantage point of the lighthouse across the river and the dramatic breakwater rocks.

• GPS: 43.1208° N, 124.4225° W

Seven Devils State Recreation Site:

• A wilder, lonelier stretch of sand north of Bandon with agate beds and grassy dunes.

• GPS: 43.2350° N, 124.3897° W

Floras Lake Beach:

• Where a freshwater lake is separated from the ocean by a narrow sandstone dune wall.

• GPS: 42.8969° N, 124.5024° W

Blacklock Point:

• Requires a hike from the nearby airport, but offers dramatic cliffs and a secluded beach below.

• GPS: 42.8647° N, 124.4850° W

Coos Bay / Charleston Area

Sunset Bay State Park:

• A calm, circular bay protected by cliffs. Great for reflections and calm water shots.

• GPS: 43.3343° N, 124.3710° W

Shore Acres State Park (Simpson Reef Overlook):

• While technically a cliff-top park, the Simpson Reef Overlook offers unbeatable telephoto opportunities of crashing waves and sea lions on Shell Island.

• GPS: 43.3219° N, 124.3744° W

Cape Arago State Park (North & South Coves):

• Trails lead down to rocky coves filled with tide pools and uplifted sandstone layers.

• GPS: 43.3078° N, 124.3970° W

Yoakam Point:

• A lesser-known pullout near scenic Bastendorff Beach offering unique rock formations.

• GPS: 43.3444° N, 124.3589° W

John Dellenback Dunes Trail (Beach Access):

• Located in the Oregon Dunes NRA, this requires a hike through massive sand dunes to reach a pristine, empty beach.

• GPS: 43.5839° N, 124.1853° W

Horsfall Beach:

• A vast expanse of sand and dunes; excellent for minimalist long-exposure photography.

• GPS: 43.4627° N, 124.2853° W

Florence Area

South Jetty Beach (Florence):

• Known for its grass-covered dunes and access to the Siuslaw River jetty.

• GPS: 43.9939° N, 124.1386° W

Heceta Beach:

• A broad sandy beach that offers a distant view of the Heceta Head lighthouse to the north.

• GPS: 44.0207° N, 124.1298° W

Heceta Head Lighthouse Beach (Devil’s Elbow):

• The classic postcard shot of the lighthouse from the beach below, framed by the bridge.

• GPS: 44.1374° N, 124.1278° W

Hobbit Beach:

• A magical, fern-lined trail leads to this secluded beach.

• GPS: 44.1622° N, 124.1171° W

Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint:

• Easy roadside access to a curved beach perfect for sunset reflections.

• GPS: 44.1745° N, 124.1162° W

Tokatee Klootchman State Natural Site:

• A small, high-bank wayside with views of a rugged, rocky shoreline.

• GPS: 44.2000° N, 124.1155° W

Stonefield Beach:

• Famous for Tenmile Creek flowing into the ocean and the pebble beds.

• GPS: 44.2125° N, 124.1145° W

Bob Creek Wayside:

• One of the best low-tide spots for starfish and tide pools, plus a small sea cave.

• GPS: 44.2342° N, 124.1133° W

Strawberry Hill:

• A jagged, rocky shelf that creates stunning waterfalls at low tide. Heavily populated by harbor seals.

• GPS: 44.2505° N, 124.1147° W

Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint:

• A rugged mix of rock benches and crashing waves.

• GPS: 44.2639° N, 124.1142° W

Cape Perpetua (Thor’s Well & Spouting Horn):

• Essential for dramatic wave action. Use a tripod and slow shutter speed here.

• GPS: 44.2784° N, 124.1135° W

Devil’s Churn:

• A narrow inlet where waves crash violently against volcanic rock walls.

• GPS: 44.2844° N, 124.1098° W

Yachats Ocean Road:

• A drive-along loop with easy access to rocky shelves and tide pools.

• GPS: 44.3060° N, 124.1050° W

Seal Rock State Recreation Site (Near the 100-mile limit):

• Massive basalt chain of rocks protecting the beach; incredible geology.

• GPS: 44.4982° N, 124.0848° W

Port Orford Area

Port Orford Heads State Park:

• Trails lead to Lifeboat Cove and calm, stunning blue water views.

• GPS: 42.7390° N, 124.5100° W

Battle Rock City Park:

• Port Orford's main beach; the massive "Battle Rock" is accessible at low tide.

• GPS: 42.7403° N, 124.4972° W

Humbug Mountain State Park:

• The beach sits below the mountain, often featuring calm water and views of the highway bridge.

• GPS: 42.6888° N, 124.4242° W

Sisters Rock State Park:

• Two massive peaks connected to the shore by a tombolo. Great for climbing and drone photography.

• GPS: 42.5947° N, 124.3989° W

Ophir Beach / Rest Area:

• A long stretch of beach perfect for beachcombing and lonely landscape shots.

• GPS: 42.5536° N, 124.3942° W

Gold Beach Area

Otter Point State Recreation Site:

• Unique sandstone sculptures that look totally different from the basalt north of here.

• GPS: 42.4619° N, 124.4222° W

Kissing Rock:

• A distinct formation right off Hwy 101 in Gold Beach.

• GPS: 42.3933° N, 124.4233° W

Meyers Creek Beach / Pistol River:

• Famous for huge sea stacks (Haystack Rock South) and windsurfers. A landscape photographer favorite.

• GPS: 42.3364° N, 124.4058° W

Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor:

• Steep trails lead down to Hunter’s Cove, a crescent-shaped beach shielded by the cape.

• GPS: 42.3156° N, 124.4214° W

Brookings Area

Secret Beach:

• Accessible via a steep trail; features a waterfall that spills onto the beach and massive sea stacks.

• GPS: 42.1917° N, 124.3669° W (Trailhead at Thunder Rock Cove)

Natural Bridges:

• While the famous shot is from the viewpoint, trails lead down to the water for a unique perspective of the arches.

• GPS: 42.1900° N, 124.3660° W (Viewpoint)

Indian Sands:

• A unique landscape of sand dunes perched high up on a cliff edge, eroding into the sea.

• GPS: 42.1628° N, 124.3561° W

Whaleshead Beach

• A broad, crescent-shaped beach offering accessible tide pools and dramatic sea stacks.

• GPS: 42.1436° N, 124.3514° W

Lone Ranch Beach

• A gentle, crescent beach with accessible tide pools and sea stacks.

• GPS: 42.0983° N, 124.3428° W

Harris Beach State Park

• Famous for "Arch Rock" and an incredible density of sea stacks just offshore.

• GPS: 42.0669° N, 124.3042° W

Crescent City Area

Endert’s Beach

• Just within range; famous for dark sand and tide pools at the southern end.

• GPS: 41.7045° N, 124.1430° W