Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - How to know if the view is going to be clear?

semmickphoto · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:05 am

Hi all,

Question for landscapers:

I want to hike to the top of Great Sugarloaf anytime soon, but I want to have the best chance of a clear view over Dublin, Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea to take photos. The hike on its own is going to be great, but I want to come back with cool photos as well.

I am planning on being on top before magic hour sunrise. I have learned so far from reading this forum you almost need to be a weather forecaster as well, when shooting landscapes. I want to catch the best day and light.

Do you have any suggestions on what to look for in the day prior to -, or the night of the hike to have indications if its going to be a clear view? I dont want to end up on top to find out its a hazy morning.

•Elevation: 503 m
•Difficulty: Walk up
•Best months to climb: January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Great-Sugar-Loaf

Thanks
Ron

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:07 am

With weather high pressure means clear skies with no clouds and usually calm out, low pressure means clouds and could get stormy.

And go there with the intent to camp out for a few days if you can and remember the red sky at night sailors delight and red sky in morning sailor take warning.

Also whatever happens on the East coast of the states will arrive where you are about three days later so watch the Weather in the states on the East coast.

You can use these three sites to check the weather.

http://www.intellicast.com/

http://www.weather.gov/

http://www.accuweather.com/

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:00 am

Welcome to the world of landscape photography. Anyone who has done landscape work for any amount of time knows that you are dependent on the fickle finger of fate and the weather Gods. Sometimes they smile at you and sometimes they kick you in the butt. You never know exactly what you are going to get.

Check the hourly weather forecasts such as the Weather Channel to pick the most likely day to try it then hike your butt up there and wait and see. Just remember to be there before the sun rises. When we do our Monument Valley workshop next month we will have everyone ready and in place a half hour before the sky starts to get light.

If the weather is crappy you never know conditions may give you a different look at the vista that is more moody. Also if the landscape is not an option look for other things to photograph. Cloudy misty days can be great for what we call "Going Small." Look for things in the woods that you can photograph. Think more along the lines of macro or closeup photography.

Remember what I always say...Improvise, Overcome and Adapt.

digigandalf · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 5419 Location: Twinsburg, OH

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:00 am

rinder99 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:09 am

Ron...Dave and I last year drove 5100 Miles to shoot. I shot 23 pictures and 10 I was happy with. Thats just the way it is.But 10 good ones.Ansel Adams used to say If he got One Image a year he was proud of that was enough. he's right , Looking back on my career I have maybe 30.Out of a gazillion shots. True pro landscape guys are Like serious Big Game hunters.

semmickphoto · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:34 am

@ Barry, Dave, Digi & Laurin,

Thanks guys for the insights. I will make an educated guess and go for it.

Laurin, that sounds about right, I fully agree with that.

Ok, I will go for the hike probably in the next few weeks and hope for the best.

Cool

banepetkovic · Joined: 03 Mar 2012 Posts: 135

mikenorton · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 8:02 pm

semmickphoto,
I think you have looked at my portfolio, this is how I beat the weather and get those gorgeous skies: I sit and wait, and wait, and wait and then I wait some more. And I mean days not hours. I went to Devils Tower 3 times, for at least a week each time, before I got good light & clouds. I sat at the Maroon Bells, just outside of Aspen, Colorado for 11 days one fall and still did not get what I was looking for (apologies to U2). Like Dave said most of the time the weather kicks you in the butt and like Laurin pointed out I've also been on photography trips that lasted a month and shot 50 sheets of film, that's 25 images because I shoot 2 of everything. But there have been other times that I had an excellent shot done 11 minutes after I parked the truck on my first day at a location. I usually plan to spend at least a week at a location. I get up early every day till I get what I want and then move on. Also I will not go to a location during the time when the weather is known to be bad. What time of year is the weather best at Great Sugarloaf? That's the time to go.

You have the right idea be there early and stay till late.

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/51753/51753,1207148476,1/stock-photo-the-twin-peaks-of-the-maroon-bells-in-the-white-river-national-forest-colorado-11043910.jpg
This is the one I waited 11 days for clouds and I don't really like it.

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/51753/51753,1219608070,1/stock-photo-a-nineteenth-century-silver-mill-in-colorado-photographed-during-the-autumn-season-16494862.jpg

This is the one that was done within the first 11 minutes.

Good luck, may you have good weather on the day you pick!

aynia · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:01 am

Stock photographers tend to try and put as little work into their photos as possible due to the meagre pay (mass produce, quick, get it right in camera), so many do not do landscapes where they have to sit and wait for the light.

Landscape photographers on the other hand are known for chasing the light and it is their passion and many times they don't get/take any shots.

Like Mike says you might have to go a few times to get lucky.

Knowing someone who lives around Kilmacanogue can help since there are many little microclimates in that neck of the woods. Sun here, mist 2km down the road etc.

Been up the a few times pre digital days and none of the days were particulary photogenic anyway.