kittysingsuwan
I try to remain optimistic when I’m out during sunrise or sunset. (It’s cool just to be there, working on my landscape photography.) But a part of me feels a little disappointed when the sky doesn’t light up with color. I know there’s color grading and light painting and other editing techniques, but I prefer the real deal. Who doesn’t?
So I did a little digging to find out if you can predict epic sunrises and sunsets in advance. Turns out you can… kinda.
The method I’m about to describe isn’t 100% accurate (more like 60%), but it’s better than nothing.
Even if this gives you enough information to not waste a trip, that’s fine, too 😂
When it comes to forecasting epic sunrises or sunsets for your landscape compositions, you want to look for two conditions in your weather or sky app:
1 – High cloud cover
Cirrus and altocumulus clouds, that are high in the sky, are what catch the color – the vivid reds, pinks, and oranges. You want high clouds at your desired location when you’re there.
2 – Gap in the distance
In order to catch color, there needs to be a gap in the clouds – to the east for sunrise, and west for sunset – for light to come through. If you don’t have a gap in the distance, you won’t get color. If you have a gap at your location, and high clouds in the distance, you also won’t get color.
Given the angle of the sun during sunrise & sunset, the gap needs to be in the distance, with high clouds at your location.
There are a few other things to consider, but this pretty much sums it up.
Alright, time to test some sky prediction apps ☁️☀️
Until next time,
K
