Many sun and moon tracking apps also include AR features which allow users to visualise where these celestial bodies will appear in the sky.
Capturing the perfect shot of the sun or moon rising or setting against a breathtaking landscape is a goal for many photographers. When these celestial events are framed by nature, they can transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.
However, timing and positioning are key to getting that perfect shot.
In the past, photographers relied on careful observation, experience, and a bit of luck to capture the sun or moon perfectly aligned with a landscape.
Today, modern technology offers a solution. Specialised apps now allow photographers to plan their shots precisely, ensuring they’re in the right place at the right time to capture the beauty of these celestial bodies.
The sun and moon’s positions change throughout the year, making it difficult to predict when they will align perfectly with a landscape.
Fortunately, apps that track these movements help photographers plan days, or even months, ahead. These apps provide real-time tracking for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset, as well as golden and blue hours – the ideal times for capturing perfect lighting.
Game-changer for photographers
Many of these apps also include augmented reality (AR) features which allow users to visualise where the sun or moon will appear in the sky. This ensures that photographers can time their shots perfectly.
Using your phone’s camera, AR superimposes the path of the sun or moon onto your live view, allowing you to see exactly where they will rise or set.
This feature is particularly useful when planning shots around landmarks or specific landscape features.
By aligning AR projections with real-world scenes, photographers can position themselves perfectly for the shot they want. Whether it’s ensuring that the sun rises directly over a mountain peak or that the moon sets between two trees, AR makes complex shot planning both simple and enjoyable.
By planning ahead, photographers can take full advantage of the natural lighting that these hours offer.
Whether it’s ensuring that the sun rises directly over a mountain peak or that the moon sets between two pillars, AR makes complex shot planning both simple and enjoyable.
The apps
Among the top apps used for this purpose are PhotoPills, The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE), Sun Surveyor, and PlanIt!.
PhotoPills is a versatile app that tracks the sun, moon, and even the Milky Way, making it useful for both day and night photography. Its AR feature lets you visualise where the sun or moon will rise or set, helping you line up your shot in advance.
The app also provides detailed information on golden hour, blue hour, and moon phases, allowing you to capture the perfect lighting for any scene.
TPE offers a map-based view that shows the angle of the sun and moon from any location, helping photographers predict how light and shadows will interact with the landscape. Its AR function helps visualise the sun or moon’s path, making it easier to plan compositions for sunrise or moonrise shots.
Sun Surveyor provides detailed information on the sun and moon’s positions, offering an intuitive interface with AR tools and a 3D compass to help photographers anticipate where these celestial bodies will appear.
This app is excellent for capturing long-exposure shots and even tracks solar eclipses, giving photographers the chance to plan for those special moments.
PlanIt! stands out for its range of planning tools, including AR and topographical maps. It includes 3D terrain maps, showing how the sun or moon will align with specific landscape features.
The app is especially useful when shooting in unfamiliar locations, allowing photographers to plan compositions in great detail.
Best times for perfect light
Golden and blue hours are critical for capturing beautiful light in photography.
The golden hour, which occurs just after sunrise and before sunset, casts a warm, soft glow over landscapes, creating stunning contrasts and highlights.
The blue hour, just before sunrise and after sunset, offers cooler, more diffused light, perfect for moodier or atmospheric shots.
Many apps, including PhotoPills and Sun Surveyor, provide precise timings for these key periods, ensuring that photographers can be ready to capture the best light.
In a world where timing is everything, these apps take the guesswork out of photography and ensure that photographers can focus on their art, while technology takes care of the logistics.
Whether you’re photographing a sunrise, sunset, or moonrise, these tools are indispensable for achieving that perfect shot.
