I thought I would share a website that I like to use for timing a photo, but this got me thinking about how often the pictures I didn't plan on and were photos of opportunity come out better than the ones that I did plan for.
Back in 2016 for work I went to Seattle for a week and had done a lot of planning for photography in my down time. I searched through a lot of flickr photos for locations and the main shot I wanted was from Kerry Park. It is a popular spot for capturing the Seattle skyline. I really wanted that photo!
I like to take cityscape photos on Wednesday evenings. You may find yourself wondering why Wednesday? Because that is when most offices have the janitorial crews come in and those crews turn on the lights.
I had moved my schedule around so that I would have Wednesday free, but when the time came it was raining. I didn't get the photo I wanted and had planned for. But the photo I got from my hotel room off of a point and shoot made up for it. This has become one my favorites.
There are a few photo ideas I have and depending on the weather will decide which one I go for this weekend. This is where GetOutCast comes in. Now I wouldn't let this stop me from going out all together but it does help with choosing the best time to go out.
GetOutCast will give you a forecast for the type of photography you want. So if you choose "Aerial/Drone" photography, it will give you a score for each hour of the next six days. Here is the description it gives for "Aerial/Drone" photography.
"Aerial/Drone photography is very particular in its needs. The requirements for good pictures have nothing to do with the subject but rather with the equipment, which strongly prefers no wind nor precipitation. Additionally, the cooler the temperature, the shorter the batteries will last."
Although I don't agree with the statement about the subject not being important, their rating system uses wind, precipitation and tempature to score from 0 to 10. The higher the number the better. So it helps choose the best time to go and fly.
Here is a list of the forecast available.
You can also set up alerts. I have two alerts set. When either the sky or the sunrise & sunset have a 9 rating it alerts me.
Here is a screenshot of the the layout it uses. The layout gives you the best time for the week and each day.
I have found this site useful and thought it might help some of you guys.
