The Photographers Ephemeris - UPDATE

Discussions
1

Prior to my trips to the field I have always used Weather Underground, Google Earth Pro GPS, and The Photographers Ephemeris programs.
I was curious as to who all uses the 3D feature in the TPE program. In the past I always had the standard data on the general MAP program. Sun-Moonrise / Sun-Moonset times, angle of each and the arc traveled. What I was not obtaining was the TOD of the sunrise hitting a specific GPS spot.
I captured some images of a site that is on the backside of a foothill. And yes the sunrise is listed as 0541 on the given day tomorrow. However, using the 3D version it clearly shows by using the time advance tool at the bottom of the screen it does not hit the GPS point until 0705 with resulting foothill slope.
Anyway, the 3D feature is only available for the subscribed Pro users.

***** UPDATE *****
The example I used was on today’s date and a GPS location in the diagrams / images listed below. Prior to yesterday I was unaware of the 3D ability and was only hoping for positive results. Today proved to be spot on with in a few minutes of the sun actually hitting the exact GPS location. That in fact could have even been an error in my watch setting or slightly off on the exact GPS spot. However, it solved an issue of knowing much closer to when sunlight will actually strike a given point.
Video On 3D Version Usage - https://vimeo.com/540867524

TPE MAP - Sunrise Time 0541

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TPE 3D - Sunrise @ 0541

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TPE 3D - @ 0600

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TPE 3D - @ 0630

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TPE 3D - @ 0705
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2

Paul. Are you using the online version, the apple version or the android version? Unfortunately, the developer of TPE is an apple person and the android version tends to lag behind. The last I’d heard, android development was on hold for awhile. (A camera clubpresentation a month ago).

3

Hi Dennis, all my planning is done the day before on my Win 10 desktop PC here at home. So, it’s the web version. I’ve used the same program for years so not sure even what version it is. I do know I’m a Pro Subscriber so I do have access to the 3D usage.
It truly was the missing link for me after so many years of using the standard MAP only. Obviously the MAP only got me well within the ballpark each time. But the last item of knowing shadow and actually sunlight coverage was always in question with only using the MAP.
Apparently, according to TPE technician, there has always been ways to obtain similar info using the original MAP version. However, it is much more difficult than using the easier 3D version which he admitted to also.

4

Thanks, Paul. I’m used to using it on my tablet as an app. I’ll have to subscribe to the online version.

1 Like
5

Is the 3D version available for PCs yet?

6

Lorretta, the answer would be yes if you’re talking about a PC using WIN 10 and the TPE Pro Version on line program.
I’m using a basic Dell 8900 WIN 10 PC and the Pro version of TPE. All the screenshots listed above were samples or examples I took with this same PC.