Review: The Photographer's Ephemeris

Link to Photo Ephemeris

For virtually every outdoor photoshoot we want to know where the sun will be at any given moment. Whether it's the blue hour, golden hour, sunrise or sunset, we are bound by the sun and if it's a night shoot, we want to know the phase of the moon and where it will be. And we don't just want to know it for today, we want to know it days, weeks or months in advance anywhere in the world. And as if that isn't demanding enough, we want this info to be simple to understand and visual. Photographers want to see a depiction of these astronomical facts, not stare at a list of numbers followed by headache-inducing mental contortions. Fortunately, there exists a free computer program that does all of this and more.

The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE) comes in Windows, Mac, Linux versions. All use the Adobe Air engine and there are paid versions for Android ($4.99) and iOS ($8.99). I have the Windows and Android versions on my laptop and smartphone and Android tablet, and I have to say that once you see it at work, it is nothing short of miraculous.

The program allows you to choose any location in the world and save it for later reference. You then designate the dates you want to see plotted.

Screen Shot from Tutorial

The desktop program displays azimuths on Google maps, using its satellite, terrain, road map, and hybrid options. This is especially invaluable if you want to know where the sun and shadow will be in hilly or mountainous terrain. Want to know when the sun will come up behind that mountain and illuminate the fall foliage in front of you next Thursday? TPE will tell you. Trying to figure out when the back side of that mountain will be out of shadow? TPE will show you that as well, and to the minute. You can move your marker anywhere you want so that within an area you can easily plot and replot the paths of the rising and setting sun and moon.

The Android version is extraordinarily useful, since I don't ordinarily carry a laptop or tablet in the field. One feature I would like to see in the desktop version is the ability to print the terrain map and accompanying ephemeris (the panel on the right), but if you have the mobile version that isn't really necessary. Another feature I'd like to see and would pay for is the ability to sync the desktop and mobile versions.
If you are a photographer and ever take photos outdoors, this program is well worth the few minutes it takes to download, install, and learn. The web site also has links to very useful tutorials on YouTube, which really demonstrate the program's power.

The Android version is in the Android Market and resembles the desktop version except there is no terrain view. The iOS version also lacks a terrain view. This view would be nice to have but apparently there are some legal/licensing issues that are currently an obstacle. We can all hope for this feature and the site indicates they are exploring alternative map providers. In the meantime, this is a must-have photographer's app for your PC and smartphone.

The road to hell?

I looked and all I could see were good intentions.

Ragged Point

Ragged Point

As I drove up the coast I also got further from civilization, symbolized by my loss of a cell phone signal. This also meant no phone GPS and no geotagging in my Droid. Oh, the horror.

This loss of my electronic umbilicus was compensated for by the beauty of the Big Sur coastline. At the same time, I'd rather have been a passenger than a driver. Highway 1 winds snake-like along the steep cliffs with switchbacks and sharp curves liberally scattered along the way. This means "pay attention to the road or else." Fortunately, I didn't get behind any trucks and for the most part I had the road to myself.

I stopped at the Ragged Point Inn, which was very quiet, perhaps because it was a weekday. I took the shot you see here, which gives you an idea of how the coastline is usually a sheer drop from the road.

South of Ragged Point

A bit further south I found a rocky beach. I was hoping to get photos of some breakers, but the onshore breeze wasn't cooperating. I would guess that in the winter this beach is assaulted by the winter storms that careen through the area, another reason I need to get back here soon.

This small section of the California coast is simply amazing. It deserves far more time than I had to give it. If I'd had a week, I'd have spent much more time south of Morro Bay and driven all the way to Monterey, hiked some of the trails, and enjoyed the wildlife that populates the area. I have my hopes up that I'll find another reason to travel to the area soon. Until then, I'll continue to work on my photography and wait impatiently to head west again.

The Piedras Blancas Seal Rookery

There are two types of elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, just a few miles up the road from San Simeon: cute and ugly. As it usually is in nature, the females are cute, the males have a face only a near-sighted mother could love. This was my next stop.

The elephant seal rookery is a beach that the seals return to each mating season, which occurs over the winter months. I'm a bit early for the season, so there's somewhat fewer than the usual 15,000 seals on the beach.  It is also a tourist magnet, and for good reason. Although visitors are discouraged and largely unable to get on the beach, it is possible to do so but everyone respects the fences and stays on the observation platforms that line the beach.

While I appreciate the respectful attitude visitors have, it does create a bit of a problem for photographers. First, a long lens (300mm or better) is a good idea. That means "tripod," and I found the foot traffic and general jostling for space among the group a bit of a challenge. I tried at first to do a handheld-shot propped on the rail, but people kept bumping into the rail, spoiling the stability. I couldn't fault them--it's a fascinating place, but the earlier in the day you arrive, the better off you probably are, and a tripod or at least monopod is necessary.

In any case, Piedras Blancas is a must-see. It's a treat to see the seals up close and personal, sleeping, snoring, barking, roaring, and watching us with a wary eye.