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02/27/2007 12:05:14 PM · #1 |
Is there a way to predict a good sunrise? I've never gotten up to take photos of the sunrise but I would like to go to Cape Spear to get some nice sunrise pictures (the most easterly point of land in North America and just a 30 minute drive from my house). However, I don't want to get up at 5:30, drive all the way out there, walk up the hundred or so steps to the lighthouse and then not have a nice sunrise. Can it be predicted based on the weather the day before and the forecast?
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02/27/2007 12:07:12 PM · #2 |
| Good luck.....I'd also like to know....I'm watching this to see if someone else knows. |
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02/27/2007 12:15:52 PM · #3 |
Yes it can. Some people are very good at it. Mostly though you can predict it by looking at the sky several hours before hand and having a fair bit of experience with what it looks like before a good sunrise.
I realise that isn't very helpful - but it is the sort of thing where experience counts for a lot and you have to get that experience by well, experiencing sunrises.
Broken cloud is usually a good sign - with a good mix of high and low cloud often being good. A big cloud bank on the Eastern horizon is usually a bad sign. Severely clear is also a bad sign.
Start out by watching what conditions make for good sunrises. Pay attention to it. Log the data & the weather forecasts - start seeing if you can see any patterns. There are also books that discuss the various weather patterns and the effects that are useful. Pay attention to it and learn how to predict them yourself.
Not a quick fix but it seems to be the way that works. |
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02/27/2007 12:21:59 PM · #4 |
The thing is I am never up when the sun rises. I don't think I can get up early for a few weeks and watch the sky to see if there is going to be a good sunrise. I guess there's no way to predict it just from the forecast.
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02/27/2007 12:33:48 PM · #5 |
The best way to take a good sunrise picture is to get on location at least a hour beforehand to setup and begin shooting at the beginning of "civil twilight." The light changes very quickly about every 5 minutes in the morning time. The best photos come out of a balance of foreground interest such as trees, building structures, or the flow of the waves if you are on a beach. If you can get the sunrise BEHIND something that creates an interesting silhouette, that works very well too. High clouds after a storm are always useful as well. Your photo will be about color and composition with that type of lighting. I love photography at that time of day because it's so incredibly peaceful and beautiful.
This site will help you calculate the time for your area:
//aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html
Radiant Vista also has a good tuturial on sunrise shots by Craig Tanner:
//www.radiantvista.com/archive/video_tutorials/21/
I hope you post your photos here!
Good Luck! |
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02/27/2007 12:38:58 PM · #6 |
At www.weather.com sometimes you can get a clue. For example in Philadelphia on Wednesday, there is a prediction for mostly cloudy at 6 AM - probably not an optimal day - I would look for a day of partly cloudy at 6 AM.
Also watch for storm and cold fronts moving through - sometimes the day after you can have some dramatic clouds. |
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02/27/2007 12:43:07 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
The thing is I am never up when the sun rises. I don't think I can get up early for a few weeks and watch the sky to see if there is going to be a good sunrise. I guess there's no way to predict it just from the forecast. |
1. Set your alarm.
2. Drag your tired bumm-bumm out of bed.
3. Dress warmly.
4. Stop by Tim's.
5. Git 'er dun.
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02/27/2007 12:58:18 PM · #8 |
| Get the link for the Clear Sky Clock in your area (the one linked is for Madison, WI). Learn how to read it. You're looking for a morning with minimal clouds, but with some atmospheric haze (water vapor, etc.). These things are in the info on the clear sky graphs, if you know how to interpret them. This is how many amateur astronomers determine which nights are good for observing. Not all clear skies are created equally. |
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02/27/2007 12:58:30 PM · #9 |
The other thing is that often the best light happens in the potentially worst conditions. So there's probably a scale from
no clouds hence very predicable/ bland sunrise, to partial clouds, for predictably okay sunrise, to lots of partial or broken clouds - potential for an amazing sunrise or potential for nothing at all, to total clouds, no sunrise
You want to be in that potential for amazing or nothing zone, but that can be frustrating. I'm reminded of Colin Prior who is a fine, Scottish landscape photographer. In one of his books he describes climbing a 4000ft mountain in the dark 40 times over a period of many years to get the sunrise he wanted.
Persistence pays off. Lying in bed is the only guaranteed way to miss the light you are looking for ;0 |
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02/27/2007 01:09:34 PM · #10 |
| Don't forget a big thermos filled with fresh hot coffee. Mmmmm. |
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02/27/2007 01:11:55 PM · #11 |
here is a sunrise I shot the other day... I plan on going back soon to try and get some better shots.
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02/27/2007 01:12:05 PM · #12 |
| These tips pretty much apply equally well to predicting sunsets, with the exception that it's easier to be awake to monitor the changing light before the big event ... of course, I'm usually stuck at work during the critical moments : ( |
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02/27/2007 01:35:16 PM · #13 |
Somehow, reading this thread, the words of  stdavidson echo in my brain who told me that "nature never disappoints" and that oftentimes when you go out to shoot one thing in your mind, nature offers something better and unexpected.
The lighting at sunrise (or sunset) offers so much beauty to take advantage of that getting up early will be well worth it (or skipping out of work early for those sunsets!!!).
I'm certain you will post some beautiful shots, and I look forward to them. |
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02/27/2007 01:36:10 PM · #14 |
As Gordon pointed out, some of the best sunrises happen when conditions look marginal. One morning in 2005, three of us ( stdavidson,  lightpath and I) left Phoenix at 3:30 AM and drove for two hours or so to get to the visitor center at Saguaro Nat'l Park near Tucson before sunrise. Cloud cover was pretty much 100% as we drove down, and we were thinking sunrise would be a bust. Even as we walked to our vantage point, we were not expecting any kind of good light. Just as it appeared that sunrise would indeed be uneventful, we were surprised with this scene. This lasted less than 3 minutes, and all the color was gone. Luckily, we were able to set up quickly and grab some good shots.
The best sunrises, IMO, happen when high, broken clouds allow the sun to illuminate nearer clouds from underneath. Watch for weather patterns that indicate broken high or mid-level clouds, or a combination of both. Then take your chances!
Message edited by author 2007-02-27 13:37:02. |
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02/27/2007 01:47:51 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by hihosilver:
The lighting at sunrise (or sunset) offers so much beauty to take advantage of that getting up early will be well worth it (or skipping out of work early for those sunsets!!!). |
Originally posted by kirbic:
The best sunrises, IMO, happen when high, broken clouds allow the sun to illuminate nearer clouds from underneath. Watch for weather patterns that indicate broken high or mid-level clouds, or a combination of both. Then take your chances! |
An old example of predicting something like this ... I stepped outside the front of my workplace to grab this.
Message edited by author 2007-02-27 13:48:45. |
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02/27/2007 02:30:24 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
The thing is I am never up when the sun rises. I don't think I can get up early for a few weeks and watch the sky to see if there is going to be a good sunrise. I guess there's no way to predict it just from the forecast. |
1. Set your alarm.
2. Drag your tired bumm-bumm out of bed.
3. Dress warmly.
4. Stop by Tim's.
5. Git 'er dun. |
Missed some...
6.Stop by Tim's.
7.Go back to bed.
:) |
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02/27/2007 02:42:19 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by mobster:
here is a sunrise I shot the other day... I plan on going back soon to try and get some better shots.
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Wow is this after editing? The colors are amazing. I am going to the beach this weekend, and want to get some good beach sunrise shots. Im really excited. I want to make a photo that stands out like this one.
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02/27/2007 02:57:50 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
The thing is I am never up when the sun rises. I don't think I can get up early for a few weeks and watch the sky to see if there is going to be a good sunrise. I guess there's no way to predict it just from the forecast. |
If you are an owl like me, move to the left coast and enjoy beautiful sunsets over Pacific. Much easier :P
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02/27/2007 03:30:11 PM · #19 |
The sun always "seems to rise" the same, pay attention to:
1) wind speed and direction
2) type, amount, and elevation of cloud coverage
3) temperature
If you can do the above you can be a meteorologist, they are never wrong, since they make no guarantees.
Check the weather info on the above information two hours before arrival. If you see a lot of stars above you, there are less clouds at that moment. The sun has many costumes and faces. |
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02/27/2007 03:38:13 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by hihosilver:
Somehow, reading this thread, the words of stdavidson echo in my brain who told me that "nature never disappoints" and that oftentimes when you go out to shoot one thing in your mind, nature offers something better and unexpected.
The lighting at sunrise (or sunset) offers so much beauty to take advantage of that getting up early will be well worth it (or skipping out of work early for those sunsets!!!). |
One of the nicest things about sunrise that I have noticed, working early morning shifts and facing West, is how on a clear day the Sun paints everything in a nice golden light. So even on a clear day there are shots to be had, just not of a great sunrise.
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02/27/2007 04:36:05 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
Is there a way to predict a good sunrise? ... Can it be predicted based on the weather the day before and the forecast? |
I've taken lots of sunrise/sunset pictures. Sadly, I'd have to say the good ones cannot be accurately predicted.
The reason for this is simple... It depends on the cloud cover over the horizon that you cannot see. In order to get good lighting the sky has to have some clearing below the horizon between it and the clouds that you can see above the horizon. Even the best looking sunsets/sunrises can turn bust based on cloud cover below the horizon that you cannot see.
The sunrise kirbic described before is a good example. It looked like a wasted 125 mile drive for a sunrise at Suguaro National Park right up to the moment it suddenly became gorgeous minutes before sunrise and then only for a minute or two.
The best you can do is to check local weather radar on the Net (www.weatherundergound.com is good) prior to going out to your photo shoot to see if there will be clearing below the horizon when you get there. Otherwise you depend on on the whim of God for your pictures.
About a month or so ago awoke to a red glow coming in through closed blinds. I knew the instant I saw it I had missed one of the best sunrises I'd ever have a chance to see. I knew that by the time I got my camera it would be past its prime. Instead, I rushed outside to enjoy what I could before it was gone. It was glorious.
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02/27/2007 04:58:58 PM · #22 |
Don't forget to look behind you. Some times the shot is over your shoulder. Van
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02/27/2007 05:10:39 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by vtruan:
Don't forget to look behind you. Some times the shot is over your shoulder. Van |
So true...
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02/27/2007 05:20:46 PM · #24 |
I really like the dawn and pre-dawn, even if the sunrise is not spectacular its very rarely a waste of time getting out and shooting at that time of day. I regularly drive 2-300 miles on a sat/sunday morning after checking weather forecasts, tide tables, sunrise compass I'll decide where to go.
Occasionally nature will give me the perfect sunrise, but other times the quiet streets, cities, villages, beaches give me just as good a shot but in a very different way. Even a misty dawn can yield superb results.
Keep your mind and eye open to opportunities, but above all BE THERE. You can't get the shot if you are still in bed.
Message edited by author 2007-02-27 17:27:19.
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02/27/2007 05:26:05 PM · #25 |
Well I dont do sunrises cos I just dont wake up lol Sunsets however I see if theres alot of cloud around and if there is I wait and if theres not pft I dont even bother
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