The Photographer's Ephemeris

http://photoephemeris.com/

Ever tried to plan having the sun rise just behind that mountain, or the moon set just behind the flagpole just down the street, yet you'd like to better plan that alignment? This is the tool for you. Basically it uses Google maps, you choose a location and place the map marker on the map, then the program that runs on Adobe Air snaps 4 colored lines that represent sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset. It also has the approximate times of day for those. It can even show "twilight", that golden hour just before sunset.

 

Simple directions are:

1. Open the app and you'll see a map (provided you're connect to the internet or it has the maps installed). You'll notice that the default location is literally Timbuktu, Mali. Chances are you'll need to adjust that.
2. At the bottom in the Search pane put in an address or cross street or another term that Google Maps will be able to use.
3. Once the map placer comes up someplace close to what you're thinking you can click and drag it anywhere on the planet. You'll see 4 lines coming off of the placer. That's pointing to where the sun or moon rises or sets. Some days will only show three for when the moon only rises or sets but doesn't do both on the same day.
4. On the right you'll see a calendar with up and down hands. Clicking the down hands moves the map to the next day. Give it a go and click a few times, you'll see the sun and moon move their position of rise and set as days go by. If you see a date with an * by it there's some point of interest for it, usually a near full or new moon.

Here's the type of thing you're after.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3053/3065339306_6d3b8bce1d.jpg
I have a nice vantage point in Tacoma Wa. of Mt. Rainier. But I have to wait till November to get this alignment of the sun rising behind it. The next time I try this if the weather cooperates I may get a shot of a crescent moon just rising over the mountain.

In the olden days you'd have to pour through a book and do a little math to figure it out. Now you just whip out your phone.

Another example of what this would be useful for http://fineartamerica.com/featured/new-york-sunrise-betsy-foster-breen.html (not mine, I'm not a New Yorker).

 

Yeah, I'm into photography. I shoot mostly real estate, but also portraits and weddings. I like landscapes the most, but don't get much chance to go shoot any.

 

very cool app! thanks. now let me see if i know that mountain as well as i think i do. i know tacoma. that shot was taken from the south end of the city, south of 72d? but not as far as parkland. correct?

 

Close, if you go to the Home Depot parking lot on 72nd just off I-5 you get a pretty clear shot. This was taken from the berm on the far side of the parking lot.