sunset/sunrise with no clouds??

Hi all,

So heading up to Lake Tahoe for few days this weekend.

I was trying to plan some sunset and sunrise shoots, but to my disappointment we are not getting much, or any, clouds while we're up there.
That is what the forecast shows at least...

I was planning on attempting some milky way shots over the lake too, so having no clouds is a good thing for that at least.
(I said attempt, because i know there are going to be some lights so not sure how its going to go with that...)

However, with no clouds I'm afraid that I won't get much "drama" in the skies...

Now I'm thinking "hell with it, i'm gonna go out there and and compose to focus more on the rocks, water, and the colors rather than the sky then."

What do you guys/gals think? Should I just forget about sunset and sunrise photos and just drink heavily instead? =)

If you have some great sunrise/sunset shots without clouds, would you mind sharing?
I'm trying to get some ideas, but above "focusing more on rocks/water" is all I can think of...

Any advise would be very much appreciated too!

Thanks in advance folks!

Best,
Hobin

hobinsohn wrote in post #18406062
Hi all,

So heading up to Lake Tahoe for few days this weekend.

I was trying to plan some sunset and sunrise shoots, but to my disappointment we are not getting much, or any, clouds while we're up there.
That is what the forecast shows at least...

I was planning on attempting some milky way shots over the lake too, so having no clouds is a good thing for that at least.
(I said attempt, because i know there are going to be some lights so not sure how its going to go with that...)

However, with no clouds I'm afraid that I won't get much "drama" in the skies...

Now I'm thinking "hell with it, i'm gonna go out there and and compose to focus more on the rocks, water, and the colors rather than the sky then."

What do you guys/gals think? Should I just forget about sunset and sunrise photos and just drink heavily instead? =)

If you have some great sunrise/sunset shots without clouds, would you mind sharing?
I'm trying to get some ideas, but above "focusing more on rocks/water" is all I can think of...

Any advise would be very much appreciated too!

Thanks in advance folks!

Best,
Hobin

Drink heavily and shoot lots of pictures of whatever strikes you. More fun that way.

......and forget the Milky Way crap......been done to death.

In all seriousness.....that part of the world is full of incredible photo opportunities. You'd be hard pressed not to get some great pictures. Clouds or no clouds, pick the right time of day and you will get some spectacular results.

saea501 wrote in post #18406109
Drink heavily and shoot lots of pictures of whatever strikes you.

planning on drinking heavily regardless... =)

saea501 wrote in post #18406109
You'd be hard pressed not to get some great pictures.

Hold my beer. lol

saea501 wrote in post #18406109
......and forget the Milky Way crap......been done to death.

Well not like I'm a pro who's trying to get anything published, so it's more for me. I haven't done it a ton and I wanna see if I (old dog) can learn a new "trick".
Well, any photos I take is really for my amusement haha

And, yes, I will still go out and shoot regardless of clouds. If I don't try I won't get anything right?

THANKS!

hobinsohn wrote in post #18406123
planning on drinking heavily regardless... =)

Well not like I'm a pro who's trying to get anything published, so it's more for me. I haven't done it a ton and I wanna see if I (old dog) can learn a new "trick".

Well first new trick is to schedule things better! You don't even have the benefit of a full moon as a fall back.

well this isn't a photo trip, just with the wife and friends for fun.
But, I'm trying to make some time to squeeze in photos.

And if I was planning on taking milky way shots, then it would actually be perfect as there is no moon, wouldn't it?

figure out where the sun is going to set or be an hour or so before sunset and find an interesting landscape that would look nice with long shadows.

or the same timing with objects that will be cool lit from one side

or look for smaller details, no need to only shoot wide with distant objects

or put a human subject into the shot

photo pills software for iOS is awesome.

hobinsohn wrote in post #18406135
well this isn't a photo trip, just with the wife and friends for fun.

Consider a trip to Virginia City.

right now the whole area i think is dealing with tons of smoke...so not sure how that would affect your plans...friday night/saturday morning look to have ~25% cloud coverage according to weather underground if you're headed to south shore...so those would be your best bets...i'm not sure how the smoke will affect colors/clouds and everything, but i think it's pretty terrible there right now

DreDaze wrote in post #18406241
right now the whole area i think is dealing with tons of smoke...so not sure how that would affect your plans...friday night/saturday morning look to have ~25% cloud coverage according to weather underground if you're headed to south shore...so those would be your best bets...i'm not sure how the smoke will affect colors/clouds and everything, but i think it's pretty terrible there right now

The "weather.com" forecast over the weekend is showing mostly "easterly" winds (see below). If that holds true, the wind should carry the smoke away from the Tahoe area. Having said that, Accuweather shows almost the exact opposite. Go figure!

thank you for the insight, much appreciated!

I guess only way for me to know for sure is to get out there and look around. Give me something to think about and look for.
I think part of the fun is looking around to find the composition and this at least give me little bit of motivation and something to look forward to.

Thanks a bunch folks!

Sunrise/sunset could also be a good time to hit up waterfalls...you'll have less people aroundat some of the more popular spots...i wanted to hit up glen-alpine falls last time i was up there, but my app predicted a nice sunset, so i went to sand harbor instead

DreDaze wrote in post #18406241
right now the whole area i think is dealing with tons of smoke...so not sure how that would affect your plans...friday night/saturday morning look to have ~25% cloud coverage according to weather underground if you're headed to south shore...so those would be your best bets...i'm not sure how the smoke will affect colors/clouds and everything, but i think it's pretty terrible there right now

The smoke itself can provide some color to sunrises and sunsets. And might give some opportunity for "misty" looking scenics. Don't be discouraged. Get out and see what you have to work with.

DreDaze wrote in post #18406442
Sunrise/sunset could also be a good time to hit up waterfalls...you'll have less people aroundat some of the more popular spots...i wanted to hit up glen-alpine falls last time i was up there, but my app predicted a nice sunset, so i went to sand harbor instead

Checking the waterfalls is a good suggestion. One that involves a relatively easy hike is Cascade Falls. Some details can be found at
http://www.tahoeadvent​uresports.com/hikeinde​x/west/cascade.htm.

Little hiking is involved for Glen Alpine. Details are at https://www.sierraneva​dageotourism.org …rail/sie01ACF18​4158C04CBF.

My employer is based in Minden NV, about 20 miles, so I would get up to the area when out there on business, especially when stranded over a weekend. There is a Chart House restaurant just slightly into Nevada that has some great views at sunset. But call for a reservation and request some window seating for the best of views. Sunset should be about 8:15 to 8:20 this time of year. Best views of course start an hour earlier.

yes thought about this, but we are staying northern part, Incline Village, and there aren't much of waterfalls around there.
At least from what I could find. Found some nice hiking trails, so I might try doing that too.
Seems like most of the waterfalls are located on southern parts.

Trying to keep myself motivated, and thank you guys for giving me the extra boost!