The sky today will never be seen again. Meteorological laws for encountering beautiful sunsets and sunrises, and tips for taking the perfect shot

At dusk, you suddenly look up at the sky.

Some days it is just a casual orange,
while on other days the entire sky is dyed in a burning red, making you stop in your tracks.

On days when you wake up early in the morning,
you may encounter a pale pink sky that seems to envelop the quiet city.

"I will never forget the sunset of that day."

You won't encounter such scenery many times in your life.

However, beautiful sunsets and sunrises are by no means just a coincidence.
There are meteorological laws for the color of the sky, and by knowing these laws a little, the probability of encountering beautiful scenery increases significantly.
And the sky shows a completely different expression with each season.

By the time you finish reading this article, you will surely want to take your camera or smartphone and go look at the sky.

<The sky paints a different masterpiece every day>

Sunsets and sunrises are phenomena where sunlight travels a long distance through the atmosphere, making it easier for only red and orange light to reach our eyes.

By adding clouds, water vapor, and air transparency to this, the colors unique to that day are born.

In other words, the sky is a one-of-a-kind painting drawn under different conditions every day.
There is no sunset the same as yesterday's.
The scenery you missed today can never be seen again.

<Why does sunlight turn red?>

The sun looks white during the day.
However, in the evening or morning, the sun turns red or orange.

This is because the sun is near the horizon, so the light travels a much longer distance through the atmosphere than during the day.

Sunlight contains various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Among these, blue light is easily scattered by small particles in the air, making it harder for it to reach our eyes as it travels long distances.

On the other hand, red and orange light are less likely to be scattered, so they are more likely to reach us until the end, making the entire sky appear dyed in red.
Adding clouds to this creates even more beautiful scenery.

I also explained this in my previous article.
Please take a look if you like.

<Conditions for a beautiful sunset>

There are several conditions for a beautiful sunset.

(1. The western sky is clear)

The most important thing is that there are no clouds in the direction the sun sets.

When sunlight reaches the clouds without being blocked, the back of the clouds is dyed in vivid red or orange.

Conversely, if the western sky is covered with thick clouds, it will not be as beautiful a sunset as you might expect.

(2. There are clouds in the sky)

Even if the whole sky is clear, it may not result in a beautiful sunset.

This is because you need clouds to act as a "canvas" to reflect the light.
Clouds that form at high altitudes, in particular, make the sunset look beautiful.

(3. After the rain)

When it rains, dust, yellow sand, and PM2.5 in the atmosphere are washed away.
As the air clears, the red and orange colors become more vivid.

This is why the sky is beautiful on an evening after the rain.

(4. There is moderate humidity)

If the humidity is too low, the colors will be pale.
Conversely, if it is too high, the entire sky will look whitish and blurry.

On days with just the right amount of humidity, the red and pink colors become more vivid.

(Sunrise is the opposite of sunset)

The basic mechanism for sunrise is the same.
The only difference is the direction the sun rises.

For sunsets, the western sky is important, but for sunrises, the condition is that the eastern sky must be clear.

Before sunrise, while the sun is still out of sight, the underside of the clouds begins to glow red.
The beauty unique to this quiet time of day is a major appeal of sunrise.

<Sunrise is a gift only for those who wake up early>

Sunset colors the end of the day.
Sunrise celebrates the beginning of a new day.

A quiet town.
Clear air.
The chirping of birds.
The eastern sky gradually turning red.
That time of day has a mysterious way of calming the mind.

My favorite sunrises might just be a reward for those who wake up a little bit early.

<The expression of the sky changes depending on the clouds>

Even with the same sunset, the scenery changes completely depending on the type of clouds.

(Cirrus clouds)

Cirrus clouds are thin, feather-like clouds that form at altitudes of 6,000 to 13,000 meters.
They easily turn pink or purple, creating an elegant and delicate sunset.

(Altocumulus clouds)

Altocumulus clouds consist of small clouds lined up across the sky.
Each cloud turns red, creating a beautiful mosaic-like scene across the entire sky.

(Cirrocumulus clouds)

Cirrocumulus clouds are often seen in autumn.
The sight of the entire sky turning red is breathtaking, and it is a sky that many photographers aim to capture.

(Cumulus clouds)

Cumulus clouds are the puffy clouds often seen in summer.
Only the sides are illuminated in golden colors, creating a dynamic scene full of depth.

(Cumulonimbus clouds)

These are common in summer.
When a giant thunderhead turns bright red, it is incredibly powerful.

However, if there are cumulonimbus clouds in the west, they may hide the sun, and the sky might not glow.

<Actually, the most beautiful time is 'after sunset'>

Many people go home once the sun has set.
However, the sky is often at its most beautiful after that.

For about 5 to 30 minutes after sunset, there is a time called the 'afterglow.'
Even though the sun is no longer visible, light still reaches the high sky, causing it to shift into deep reds and purples.

Furthermore, during the 'magic hour,' when the blue sky and red sky blend together, a fantastical world that is neither day nor night unfolds.

The reason photographers don't pack up their cameras until the very end is because of this time.

<The beauty of the sky changes with each season>

(Spring - Gentle pastel colors)

In spring, there is a lot of water vapor, and the entire sky takes on soft colors.
Pale pinks and oranges reminiscent of cherry blossoms spread out, creating somewhat calm and gentle sunsets and sunrises.

(Summer - A powerfully burning sky)

Summer is the season when cumulonimbus clouds develop.
The towering clouds you looked up at during the day change from golden to deep crimson by evening, creating an impressive scene.
If you want to take dramatic photos, summer is the perfect season.

(Autumn - The most beautiful season of the year)

In autumn, the air begins to dry, and transparency increases significantly.
Furthermore, high clouds that catch the light beautifully, such as mackerel clouds and sheep clouds, are more likely to appear.
The sight of the entire sky dyed in red and orange is truly a work of art painted by nature.
This is why it is said that 'autumn is the time to watch the sunset'.

(Winter - Colors overflowing with clarity)

Winter is the season when the air is clearest throughout the year.
Thanks to the cold, dry air, the red and orange colors become very vivid.
The silhouettes of mountain ranges and cityscapes also stand out clearly, spreading out into a dignified and beautiful scene.
Even if the cold is severe, there is an emotion that goes beyond it.

<Days when you can predict 'it looks like it will burn today'>

Days with a high probability of encountering a beautiful sunset meet the following conditions.

• The day after rain

• Clear near the horizon

• High clouds in the sky

• Clear air

• Moderate humidity

• The day after a front or low pressure system has passed

When these overlap, the possibility of the sky coloring dramatically increases.
Of course, since nature is involved, it is not guaranteed, but you can predict that 'it looks promising today'.

<Tips for beginners to take sunset and sunrise photos without failure>

'It was so beautiful, but it looks completely different in the photo.'
Have you ever had that experience?

Actually, there are a few tips for capturing a beautiful sky in a photo.

(1. Include not just the sky, but also the foreground)

If you only take a picture of the sky, it becomes difficult to convey its vastness and impact.
By including trees, the sea, rivers, bridges, buildings, or human silhouettes in the frame, a story is born in the photo.
The charm of a sunset increases by capturing not just the 'sky', but the 'relationship between the sky and the ground'.

(2. Do not place the sun in the center)

Placing the sun in the center often makes a photo look ordinary.
By being conscious of the edges of the screen or the rule of thirds, you can create a well-balanced shot.
The main subject is not the sun, but the 'landscape dyed in light'.

(3. Do not go home after sunset)

This is the most important point.
When the sun sets, many people start to go home.
However, the real show starts there.
From red to purple, from purple to deep blue.
The sky, changing moment by moment, shows a completely different expression every few minutes.
There is a view that only those who wait until the end can encounter.

(4. Smartphones are beautiful enough)

Recent smartphones are very high-performance.
If you tap the screen and adjust the exposure to be a little darker, the colors of the sunset will be captured vividly.
Turning on the HDR function is also effective.
Rather than forcing a zoom, it finishes more beautifully if you get a little closer to take the shot.

(5. If using an SLR or mirrorless camera)

・ISO around 100-200
・A tripod is reassuring
・Stop down to around F8
・Shoot in RAW
Even just with this, you can richly preserve the gradation and color changes of the sky.
If you are unsure about settings, try shooting in aperture priority mode first.

(6. If you think 'it might burn today', go out without hesitation)

You cannot reserve a beautiful sky.
Nature does not wait for you.
'There are high clouds today.'
'The rain has stopped.'
'The air is clear.'
Go outside for just 30 minutes on such a day.
That accumulation leads to an encounter with a shot you will never forget for the rest of your life.

<Today's sky can only be seen today>

We live in the same city every day.
However, the sky is different every day.
The same sunset and the same sunrise will never appear again.
That is why a day when you encounter a beautiful sky is a very lucky day.

It does not matter if you do not go to a special place.
At a neighborhood park, a riverbed, the seaside, or a pedestrian bridge on the way home from work.
The sky is equal to everyone.
Just by stopping for a moment and looking up, the scenery of that day spreads out.

And if you can capture that moment in a photo, it becomes a work of art unique to you that no one else in the world can take.

Today's sky only exists today.

After closing this article, please take a look at the weather forecast.
'It might burn tomorrow.'
Just by going outside with such a small expectation in your heart, your usual daily life becomes a little richer.

Perhaps the sunset or sunrise you encounter that day might become a shot you will never forget for the rest of your life.

Thank you for reading.
I would be happy if you could give me a like, follow, or tip.
I look forward to your continued support.

#RecentLearning