Got into a debate with my buddy about the best time to catch those crazy sunset clouds

He swears you have to be out there a full hour before the sun goes down to see the good stuff, but I think the magic happens in the last 20 minutes. I tested both ways over a week in July. The early hour gave me some nice, soft colors, but everything was still pretty flat. Waiting until about 8:20 PM, when the sun was really low, that's when the cirrus clouds over the lake near my place lit up like they were on fire, with these deep purple and orange streaks you just don't get earlier. The light hits the cloud bottoms at a sharper angle, making all the texture pop. It made the difference between a nice sky and a 'run inside to grab your phone' sky. Which camp are you in, the patient early bird or the last-minute dash?

2 comments

2 Comments

evaperez2d ago

Oh man, that last-minute light is the whole point. I was so sure I missed it once, packed my stuff up, and then turned around to see the whole sky had gone pink and gold while my back was turned. Felt like the clouds were showing off just to prove me wrong. Now I never leave until it's completely dark.

ivanbrown2d ago

That would have made me pack up early too...