I have a question for all you early morning shooters...tell me about your "routine" for getting those great early morning shots I occasionally see on this site!
Confession: I am NOT a morning person by nature, not at all. I have tried to adjust my schedule in the past (due to certain jobs, school, etc.). But, I am just not a "jump out of bed with bells on" type of person.
However, I recognize all the wonderful photo ops I'm missing out on by not getting my camera out until well after noon. I would like to give it a real try! So, "early birds," where do you go to shoot that morning light? Fields? Parks? Busy streets? Your own backyard?
Is this something that is just part of your regular work/school commute routine? Or, do you make an effort to go out JUST for photography. Please help this "early bird trapped in a night owl's body" get the ball rolling on morning photography. I'm nosy, I want to know what you do! Thank you!!
I go to the same places as other times (usually) other than donwtown. So, Cemetaries (always the best for me), golf courses, parks with water, railroad tracks. I do see great morning pics from woods with paths in them. I just don't have one of those close by.
I'm totally the same. I don't get up any earlier than I need to ;-) however I am a figure skater so I have to get up early pretty often and what I've done in the past is build in a little extra time just to quickly take a few on the way there. It really helps to have as much as possible ready to go the night before and just get yourself really pumped for the photos. Granola bars are your friend and don't forget to check the forecast! Hope this helps :-)
I run so I'm always up pre-dawn. Thing is, I see some amazing sunrises but between the dog leash, doggie clean up bags, knuckle lights for spotlighting oncoming cars I just can't lug along the camera.
I'd like to do more early morning myself... I only seem to get sunrises when I'm still up.
I find it helps to completely setup my rig, even loading the non-valuables like grip, blankets, and umbrellas into the car the night before. The camera I have all rigged up, charged, and ready to grab. I even setup my coffee so I only have to push a button.
In my tired stupor, routine is critical.
As for locations, I like to shoot near water so that I can catch reflections. I live in Victoria's inner harbour, but I shoot that all the time, so I try to find new locations.
One essential tool for locations is The Photographer's Ephemeris, or TPE for short: http://photoephemeris.com/
This tool will show you where the sun and moon are relative to any point, and the direction of their light/shadows. Absolutely essential for any sunrise/sunset pre-planning. There's an iPhone and Android app, too... GET that, you're going to want the app on location.
I am usually en route to my daughters to do my granny duties, if I see a real nice sunrise there is a spot I stop at and snap quickly ~ I cant stay long or i will be late and my daughter in turn will be late, which is not something I would like to experience so early in the morning :-) ... weekends I sleep in after having the grandkids all week
I'm getting more sunrise shots than ever before mainly because I have to leave the house at 6:40 a.m. to get my son to school. I haven't posted any of them yet but I'm sure I will. I'm much better at sunsets over the lake.
@allegresse If you haved viewed my albums, I am sure you know that i am a freak when it comes to sunrises and sunsets... I get up at 5:00 in the morning and am in bed by 8:30 ~ 9:00. This works out well as I am up before sunrise and still up past sunset... I think landscape, sunrise and sunset is mostly what I am drawn too, so it is like a drug and is always present in mind to be watching for them. That being said, I do use an app on my iphone called MoonCalendar... I highly recommened it if you have a smart phone. It gives you moonrise, moonset, sunrise, sunset 365 days a year and you can set it to any location you are at. This really helps me to plan in advance when i know I am going out on an excursion for timing and travel puposes. Ithink it does help being an early bird instead of a night owl though ;-}
When i get up to shoot early morning light it is totally a planned event. However, I always get to the shooting location at least one hour before sunrise. There will be an hour of blue light before you get sunrise so I want to be in place for that. Sometimes the blue hour is significantly better than the sunrise colors.
In the hour before sunrise, US Capitol, Washington DC:
@allegresse I am not a morning person either. So I go for sunsets. With our current freezing temps, you won't find me outside setting up and waiting for the sunrise. :)
For my sunsets, I use my low light settings and landscape. I experiment a lot since I'm not an expert photographer. And most of the time, I love them all!
I know that I am missing great opportunities for photography by not getting up early. I was up early today to attend a meeting on the other side of the county. However, I did not bring my camera, while I am there early, all can see is great photo shots. Some of my medications make me sleep longer as a side-effect, that is my excuse.
When I wasn't saddled with the children, the beach was my go-to for early mornings - great place to just be, and some lovely photos too. At the moment I'm stuck in my garden... the golden light and elongated shadows still make for some interesting shots, wherever you are, plus you get to feel all saintly at being up and productive so early! Of course, if the early morning just doesn't work for you, there's another golden hour as the sun goes down...
I usually watch on my way to work but just get out somewhere and see when and where the sun first hits then plan to be out there an hour earlier and watch what happens. Once the sun is up it is nice to get some shadows or highlights on something. Mornings are wonderful!
Due to my weekly schedule, most of my pictures are early morning or early to late evening. I am a morning person by nature and really get excited to see the morning light. So, it's not a problem for me except in the summer when the days are the longest. If the sun is up before 5am or sets after 9pm, I will most likely miss it. That is such a short span of time during the year that I don't worry about missing it. ;-)
90% of my pictures are taken within a 5 mile radius. I factor in the time to make a stop sometime during the morning or evening hours. I carry my camera everywhere. Even on the weekends I am out and about with it in tow. So, I'm ready for whatever happens.
Thank you everyone for your helpful contribution to my discussion. I really appreciate it!! I talked to my husband on the phone about the early morning shooting, and he was pumped about the idea of a little photography date this Saturday. I may even bring our old film camera and see if I can get anything good with that! You are all inspiring me!
@soxfansara Yes, night before prep is essential, as are the snacks. Good idea about weather forecast.
@phillyphotos Thanks for the head's up about @peterdegraaff I checked out his project, some great shots there.
@cameronknowlton Great tips! I agree about the routine, and water. There's a man-made lake about 15 minutes away, so I will try that. I will check out TPE, thanks! I just got an iPad mini, so I'll have to see if it works for that.
@alisonp You sound very responsible, and boy do I understand about weekends!
@miley89 Very true. I've been doing so much local stuff that I long for a change of scenery.
@juliesviewoflife Thanks for your contribution. It does seem like the general consensus is that the early morning shooting goes hand in hand with existing schedule. Maybe what I need to do is change my schedule, and that will allow for more early shooting. I hear ya on the sunsets. I'm getting right sick of mine though! ;-)
@shirljess Thanks for your tips! I will check out that app and see if it works for iPad Mini. It certainly does help being an early bird, and I hope that there is a chance I can become one. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes. ;-)
@swguevin Okay. Your photo is simply extraordinary! Thanks the helpful tip! I would love to get this "blue light" as you call it. How awesome. And yes, it does seem like most people are agreeing with the plan ahead thing!
@carrieoakey makes sense. You can't always do sunrises, some places are just too cold! :) Agree with the low light settings for sunsets. I've experimented a lot with them.
@chapjohn lol, we all have our reasons! I know what you mean. It always seems like when I don't have my camera, is when I spot the great photos. One of life's little ironies!
@mfurness Absolutely. Wonderful shot, btw. It's helpful to be in a picturesque place like that though -- rather than an uninteresting apartment complex like me.
@spankyjane Yes! When I visit my mom, I do lots of early morning (low tide) beach stuff. You're right about the sunset golden hour being great for photos, but there is something really special about early morning light...
@gailmmeek Yes, totally agree. It's because of the cooler air temp I think.
@jannkc Agree on the hour earlier thing. Waiting to see what happens is so awesome sometimes!
@willowdragon That's cool. Location of where you are definitely helps to get ahead of the game. You do have some nice shots. :)
@dmortega I think I will start carrying my camera with me more. Great tip, thanks!
@allegresse some times of the year and seasons are easier to shoot sunrises and sunsets. If you are a night owl then the northern summer is probably made for you. Sun sets late and then rises again not long after depending on where you are. For some shooting in the winter means that there is a convenience to the late morning sunrise and early sunset though it is likely to be cold. Here, in the south it never rises too early or late, and even more spo if you are at the equator. No matter what th time the trick is o be there and have some patience.
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so in conclusion - I'm not much help
I find it helps to completely setup my rig, even loading the non-valuables like grip, blankets, and umbrellas into the car the night before. The camera I have all rigged up, charged, and ready to grab. I even setup my coffee so I only have to push a button.
In my tired stupor, routine is critical.
As for locations, I like to shoot near water so that I can catch reflections. I live in Victoria's inner harbour, but I shoot that all the time, so I try to find new locations.
One essential tool for locations is The Photographer's Ephemeris, or TPE for short:
http://photoephemeris.com/
This tool will show you where the sun and moon are relative to any point, and the direction of their light/shadows. Absolutely essential for any sunrise/sunset pre-planning. There's an iPhone and Android app, too... GET that, you're going to want the app on location.
Snacks are an excellent idea, @soxfansara.
In the hour before sunrise, US Capitol, Washington DC:
For my sunsets, I use my low light settings and landscape. I experiment a lot since I'm not an expert photographer. And most of the time, I love them all!
Goodluck!
I love sunrises as well, and one of my favourites for early morning shots, are foggy mornings. No other time of the day is quite the same for fog.
90% of my pictures are taken within a 5 mile radius. I factor in the time to make a stop sometime during the morning or evening hours. I carry my camera everywhere. Even on the weekends I am out and about with it in tow. So, I'm ready for whatever happens.
@soxfansara Yes, night before prep is essential, as are the snacks. Good idea about weather forecast.
@phillyphotos Thanks for the head's up about @peterdegraaff I checked out his project, some great shots there.
@aponi Lol, your reply made me smile. :)
@cameronknowlton Great tips! I agree about the routine, and water. There's a man-made lake about 15 minutes away, so I will try that. I will check out TPE, thanks! I just got an iPad mini, so I'll have to see if it works for that.
@alisonp You sound very responsible, and boy do I understand about weekends!
@miley89 Very true. I've been doing so much local stuff that I long for a change of scenery.
@juliesviewoflife Thanks for your contribution. It does seem like the general consensus is that the early morning shooting goes hand in hand with existing schedule. Maybe what I need to do is change my schedule, and that will allow for more early shooting. I hear ya on the sunsets. I'm getting right sick of mine though! ;-)
@shirljess Thanks for your tips! I will check out that app and see if it works for iPad Mini. It certainly does help being an early bird, and I hope that there is a chance I can become one. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes. ;-)
@swguevin Okay. Your photo is simply extraordinary! Thanks the helpful tip! I would love to get this "blue light" as you call it. How awesome. And yes, it does seem like most people are agreeing with the plan ahead thing!
@carrieoakey makes sense. You can't always do sunrises, some places are just too cold! :) Agree with the low light settings for sunsets. I've experimented a lot with them.
@chapjohn lol, we all have our reasons! I know what you mean. It always seems like when I don't have my camera, is when I spot the great photos. One of life's little ironies!
@mfurness Absolutely. Wonderful shot, btw. It's helpful to be in a picturesque place like that though -- rather than an uninteresting apartment complex like me.
@spankyjane Yes! When I visit my mom, I do lots of early morning (low tide) beach stuff. You're right about the sunset golden hour being great for photos, but there is something really special about early morning light...
@gailmmeek Yes, totally agree. It's because of the cooler air temp I think.
@jannkc Agree on the hour earlier thing. Waiting to see what happens is so awesome sometimes!
@willowdragon That's cool. Location of where you are definitely helps to get ahead of the game. You do have some nice shots. :)
@dmortega I think I will start carrying my camera with me more. Great tip, thanks!