I have previously enumerated the photography websites I frequent. Earlier today I came across a free web-dependent application written by Stephen Trainor entitled The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE). The visual interface allows for truly impressive depth when it comes to considering the solar and lunar ephemerides upon a topographical map. I have wanted to make a sunset photograph from that point for several years, but have found the shooting of it (especially at night) to be more productive than shooting from it.
I plan to utilize TPE to help me previsualize a sunset shot for later this summer. Here is a screenshot of that location for today’s date:
Notice the colored lines representing sunrise (yellow), sunset (orange), moonrise (light blue), and moonset (dark blue). Clicking on the “Twilight” button will provide times for civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight. I must admit that the amalgamation of nature photographer and amateur astronomer in me enjoys playing with these tools just to observe the potential changes on the landscape.