Will we need to change the 'Sunny 16' Rule?

bsdunek · Apr 2, 2009

Seems our sun activity seems to continue to lessen - the sun's brightness has dropped by 0.02% at visible wavelengths and 6% at extreme UV wavelengths since the solar minimum of 1996. Guess I'll break out the Tri-X and FP5.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm

Steve Smith · Apr 2, 2009

Yes. Its now the sunny f15.9968 rule.

Actually, in the UK it's usually closer to the sunny f11 rule.

Steve

Christopher Walrath · Apr 2, 2009

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

Today in Delaware it's f/8 and be there.

BWGirl · Apr 2, 2009

bsdunek said:
Seems our sun activity seems to continue to lessen - the sun's brightness has dropped by 0.02% at visible wavelengths and 6% at extreme UV wavelengths since the solar minimum of 1996. Guess I'll break out the Tri-X and FP5.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm

Ah, come on Bruce! You're in Michigan... the sun hardly ever shines there anyway! (said the former Kalamazoo native)

keithwms · Apr 2, 2009

Bruce, I doubt that fluctuations in the UV/xray wavelengths measured from space imply any change in the visible spectrum on terra firma. But I'd better let the astronomers amongst us comment on that. Anyway, local atmospheric conditions are always going to be far more important (as Steve and Chris duly noted!) ....

BobNewYork · Apr 2, 2009

So how soon do we get to the "Sunny and Reciprocity Correction Rule" ?

Will we be using calendars instead of shutter speeds?

On a serious note - is this the slow dying of the sun, or is it something else?

Bob H

AZLF · Apr 2, 2009

Around here (Tucson, Az. ) we use the sunny 22 rule.

BobNewYork · Apr 2, 2009

AZLF said:
Around here (Tucson, Az. ) we use the sunny 22 rule.

That's a horrible thing to say to us Northeasterners trying to claw our way out of winter.

Bob H

tessar · Apr 2, 2009

Actually up here in sunny Alberta, the sunny 11 rule is right most of the time, just like in rainy Britain. Sunny 16 only seems to apply for distant views at the brightest time of day.

AZLF · Apr 2, 2009

BobNewYork said:
That's a horrible thing to say to us Northeasterners trying to claw our way out of winter.

Bob H

Sorry. But we here in the southwest suffer too! Just last night we suffered through a frigid 60 degree overnight and now we will have to find shelter from the blistering 80 degree sunshine.

It's tough. Sigh.

jasonhall · Apr 2, 2009

Here in South Carolina the Sunny 16 works very well during all but mid summer...then its closer to f22. But with hazy skys and terrible humidity, who wants to photograph anything anyway. I can only image what it is like in Tucson. But right now...its 40s to 50s at night and about 70 during the day. Other than the pollen, its darn near perfect.

Jason

BobNewYork · Apr 2, 2009

My hear just bleeds for you guys - NOT!!

Bob H

Christopher Walrath · Apr 2, 2009

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

In Delaware, Sunny 16=Tourons. Can't get within ten miles of the beach without walking on heads. (APUGers excluded, of course.)

2F/2F · Apr 2, 2009

I dunno. Consult an incident light meter if you want to find out. There will be far more variation by guessing day to day to than there will be general light loss due to what you mentioned. Sunny 16 is not intended to be perfect. It is intended to give you a printable exposure. It is only *just* right on a perfectly clear and sunny day. Even then, it depends on where you are in the world. It tends to be sunny 11 or 11-1/2 around here on most days that look sunny.

Sirius Glass · Apr 2, 2009

AZLF said:
Sorry. But we here in the southwest suffer too! Just last night we suffered through a frigid 60 degree overnight and now we will have to find shelter from the blistering 80 degree sunshine.

It's tough. Sigh.

Yes, we have been experiencing a cold snap. Now we are waiting until 10:00 AM before it climbs up to 75 degrees, so we are forced to wear sweaters for part of the day.

Sirius Glass · Apr 2, 2009

PE,

What does Rochester New York use for Sunny 16? We know that George Eastman founded Eastman Kodak in Rochester because Rochester is the world's largest natural darkroom.

Steve

Vaughn · Apr 2, 2009

What is this condition you call "sunny"?

...from behind the Redwood Curtain...

Vaughn

Larry Bullis · Apr 2, 2009

It's been soggy 8 around here for some time now.

keithwms · Apr 2, 2009

Vaughn said:
What is this condition you call "sunny"?

...from behind the Redwood Curtain...

Vaughn

Are the redwoods any good in late May? I am thinking of popping over then.

Sirius Glass · Apr 2, 2009

keithwms said:
Are the redwoods any good in late May? I am thinking of popping over then.

Redwoods are generally well behaved compared to other trees and their behavior is consistent throughout the year.

Does that help?

Steve

eddym · Apr 2, 2009

Entropy sucks.

glbeas · Apr 2, 2009

BobNewYork said:
So how soon do we get to the "Sunny and Reciprocity Correction Rule" ?

Will we be using calendars instead of shutter speeds?

On a serious note - is this the slow dying of the sun, or is it something else?

Bob H

It's just one of the suns cycles, it's done it before and it'll do it again.

Vaughn · Apr 2, 2009

Sirius Glass said:
Redwoods are generally well behaved compared to other trees and their behavior is consistent throughout the year.

Does that help?

Steve

Actually those naughty redwoods have been known drop branches on people when the wind comes up strong. I was walking under them with a 4x5 during a 60+mph wind storm. Never set the camera up...I was too busy looking out for branches falling from 150 feet or more above me! But it was a great experience! Occasionally one comes across strange 'trees" sticking in the ground -- 6 to 10 inches in diameter at the base, but they get wider at their tops. Widow-makers is one name for them...

But really, any time of the year can be good. If there is a less desirerable time it would be the summer months (too much sun and usually a bit of a breeze). I like late Fall and Winter the best...late Fall for the little bit of Fall color (usually yellow) of the Big Leaf Maples and the berries...a yellow filter really pops these in B&W. Winter when the leaves have fallen, the views through the redwoods open up...especially along the creeks.

May has the rhododendrons blooming and a good amount of water in the creeks and rivers. The redwoods on the flood plains of the Eel River in the southern part of the county are more open and good to work in. I prefer the redwoods of the northern county - especially along the creeks. The forest vegetation tends to be a bit thicker, but there are still much to photograph. Also there is no poison oak in the north and as I often go off-trail, it is nice not to have to worry about it.

The number of windless days are less in May, so that might limit long exposures -- but that is something one always has to work with in the dense forest. Most photographers would want to work on overcast/foggy days to reduce the contrast (still plenty, though!). May would have some days like this. But with this dang global warming, we seem to get less fog than we use to.

But this is the advantage of living here -- one can pick the weather conditions and head out when things seem to line up right. And once in the redwoods, if the weather turns too windy, or too sunny or too much rain, well, one just enjoys being there, knowing one can come back another day.

Any particular type of images you want to make, Keith? (color, B&W, etc.). The coast is pretty nice, too.

Vaughn

keithwms · Apr 2, 2009

Vaughn said:
Any particular type of images you want to make, Keith? (color, B&W, etc.). The coast is pretty nice, too.

Vaughn

I haven't really settled into any particular genre, but for some time I have been thinking about scale cues and trying unusually high perspectives and so forth. I have a 20+ ft tripod (actually it's a ham radio mini-tower )

Colour is definitely what I have in mind, and longish formats... 6x12 and 6x17 cm and 4x10". I suppose that spring may give some interesting b&w IR possibilities as well. I just feel like my IR ideas have pretty much been used up for the time being... I need some more inspiration! This seems as good a time as any to go nuts on the LF colour slide.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Would be happy to meet up as well. I am thinking to go bug Per Volquartz and Matt and the gang while I'm over.

Jeff Kubach · Apr 2, 2009

I am confused now, I might have to check with Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin!

Jeff

Will we need to change the 'Sunny 16' Rule?

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