Can one predict sunsets?

Joe Hearst , Mar 30, 2000; 07:41 p.m.

Thanks to the Alamanac in OP I can look up the azimuth of sunrise and sunset anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, and it's easy to get the time. So fine: I go to a beach somewhere and set up my camera at the correct azimuth and wait until the correct time and get a very boring sunset! No picture! Often there are heavy clouds on the horizon, which give a hint that things won't be so good, but you never know so I wait, and my wife, who often has to wait with me, is not enthusiastic.

Does anyone know how, by looking at the sky half an hour or an hour in advance (or by any other method, for that matter) to predict whether a sunset will be worth waiting for? Same question for sunrise?

Responses

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Ryan Taylor , Mar 30, 2000; 08:05 p.m.

Joe, I've found that looking for high-altitude clouds often results in spectaular sunrise/sunsets. I find that the thin, high-altitude clouds (cirrus? I'm not a meterologist) that occur over a wide area of sky tend to reflect light the best and produce spectacular results. Often I find myself looking at the sky a couple of hours before sunset and make a decision whether or not to go photograph. It doesn't always work but more often than not I get good results. Sunrises are a little tougher, I usually can't tell in the early morning hours (due to light pollution)whether or not there are good cloud formations. Its more of a draw. I also find that lower altitude clouds don't reflect very well and often result in dull sunsets. Hope this helps.

Lanier Benkard , Mar 30, 2000; 08:05 p.m.

I imagine there are a lot of answers to this, but I can tell you what I look for. If there is a day when it is quite clear except for some very high level clouds then I know there is going to be an awesome sunset. What happens is the sun goes below the horizon from the point of view of the ground, but its rays just scrape by the edge of the earth and then go through lots more atmosphere before hitting the undersides of the high clouds, leading to great colors. I can usually tell in the afternoon if conditions are right and then get to a place in the evening to watch. It often happens just after a cold front has moved through.

Tom Hill , Mar 30, 2000; 08:12 p.m.

One of the great things about sunsets is they're always different. I can't reliably predict what a sunset will look like hours in advance but I can tell if particular elements are there that may help a scene.

One situation I'll always look for is lots of clouds where you are and blue sky on the horizon where the sun is falling. To me, that will always produce excellent photo ops. Then challenge becomes finding something to shoot with the sunset.

Tom Hill

Michael Derr , Mar 30, 2000; 10:18 p.m.

The great thing about sky scenes is you never know what's going to happen. One thing I've learned: Never lose hope. Another thing: Hang in there as long as you can: Till dark, if you've got the time. I've photographed a fireball of red between two peaks (and low on the horizon) when the rest of the sky had essentially gone black due to a storm. Nature continually surprises and delights (as well as disappoints). Look for breaks along the horizon where the sun is setting, but also off to the sides. Also pay attention to the rest of the sky: Often the most colorful (or more interesting) clouds are north or south. I continually scan the whole sky, but my first sense of the kind of sunset to expect starts in the east, since color starts there first, then works its way west. Mike Derr

Kevin Geraghty , Mar 30, 2000; 11:23 p.m.

I have found the US Naval observatory site very useful http://aa.usno.navy.mil/AA/. You can get the azimuth (bearing) of sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset on a particular day and this is very handy if you are interested in capturing, say, hypothetically, moonrise over hernandez, NM. I have used it in combination with Topo! digitized maps to figure out where I need to be to see moonrise over a particular mountain or whatnot. Neat stuff.

As for the weather or good sunrise/sunset conditions I have no idea how to predict them.

John Wall , Mar 31, 2000; 05:39 p.m.

I recently grabbed my gear and went off to shoot when I knew a sunset was gonna happen. A lady walking her dog saw me as the sunset bloomed a beautiful crimson and said, "You're lucky you caught it," but it wasn't about luck. Just by observation in my native area (San Francisco) I've learned what cloud formations make the best sunsets. I'd thought I missed my chance since fall is the motherlode for that cloud formation, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it a coupla weeks ago. The formation I like best here is what this site (http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/home.rxml) calls mid-level clouds. If I see these around sunset, I know it's gonna be a beauty!