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

Vaughn · Apr 2, 2009

Well, one's sense of scale is definitely played upon in the redwoods -- I have one image of a redwood taken from on top of a ridge using two 4x5 negs (150mm lens). The camera was slightly pointed down for the bottom half and at a fairly steep angle up for the upper half. I had a friend click the shutter after I climbed down the slope to get to the bottom of the tree. People just don't see me at the base of the tree (even though I am wearing a light shirt.) Their sense of scale just does not allow for a figure that small to be in the photograph -- quite interesting to watch people's reaction to the photo.

I saw a similar reaction with people at the first viewpoint at the Grand Canyon. People would go right up to the railing and gaze down into the canyon. Then they would finally grasp the scale and realize how big the Canyon was -- and how far down they were looking. They would quickly step back from the railing!

There will be opportunities for high perspectives -- I am thinking of images taken from on top of fallen redwoods. Plenty of room to set a normal pod and the camera will be almost 20 feet above the forest floor....and vertical longish formats might work well from that perspective, too. Some good places for this in the southern part of the county.

Lots of color -- as long as it is green.

Let me know when you are coming this way...we'll see what we can do to meet up!

Vaughn

Vertical -- 4x10 neg -- taken about 20 feet off the ground on a fallen redwood (platinum print)

Hort. -- can't promise to find any nympths -- they seem to be getting a bit rare theses days. (a silver gelatin print from a 4x5..and reproduced a bit light, sorry.)

StorminMatt · 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

Remember that it would take a drop in brightness of 50% to go from 'Sunny 16' to 'Sunny 11'.

keithwms · Apr 2, 2009

Spectacular images Vaughn!

Larry Bullis · Apr 3, 2009

Vaughn's got hundreds of spectacular images. He's the John Muir of photography.

So, back to Sunny 16. How far from the coast does one need to go in Humboldt County to where the Sunny 16 could do one any good? I've been there any number of times, and I've seen more sun in the Olympic Rain Forest than I've ever seen there!

Alex Hawley · Apr 3, 2009

Last summer, I had to use the Sunny 22 rule! Its spreading. LOL

Simplicius · Apr 3, 2009

Steve Smith said:
Yes. Its now the sunny f15.9968 rule.

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

Steve

You should try dull and constantly overcast Ireland , the standard here is hazy f2.8. and thats with 3200 iso film in the chamber.

That is why Irish people burn before leaving the house, when the weatherman says in the morning it is going to be a sunny day. We don't have that melanine stuff in our skin, we secrete scotchguard. We ain't sunproof just waterproof!

keithwms · Apr 3, 2009

I think you had to be Scottish to have the scotchguard gene.

Vaughn · Apr 3, 2009

Oh...one does not have to go too far at all to find the sun. In the summer it can be a misty 50F on the coast, and in Willow Creek (40 miles by highway inland) it can be 100F and time to jump in the Trinity River. And sometimes, one just has to drive the 6 miles inland to to the town of Blue Lake (no lake there anymore) and be in the sun and the 70's along the Mad River.

Down in the southern part of the county, the fog can travel 30 or more miles up the Eel River Canyon.

We tend get the most sun during the times of season changes on each side of Summer. Our students arriving in the fall get fooled by the sunny warm weather -- then November arrives!

"The John Muir of Photography" -- haven't heard that one before...but I am working on the appropriate beard!

Vaughn

StorminMatt · Apr 3, 2009

Vaughn said:
Oh...one does not have to go too far at all to find the sun. In the summer it can be a misty 50F on the coast, and in Willow Creek (40 miles by highway inland) it can be 100F and time to jump in the Trinity River. And sometimes, one just has to drive the 6 miles inland to to the town of Blue Lake (no lake there anymore) and be in the sun and the 70's along the Mad River.

People forget (or just don't realize) this about Northern California. Unlike the Pacific Northwest, the fog and cool along the ocean is a VERY localized thing. In summer, you don't have to go far inland for the weather to be a scorching 30-40 degrees hotter. You also get that odd situation where it is typically hotter on top of a 4000ft mountain close to the coast than it is at sea level (it takes an altitude of about 8500-9000ft in the Sierra to be as cool as it is along the coast).

Larry Bullis · Apr 3, 2009

StorminMatt said:
People forget (or just don't realize) this about Northern California. Unlike the Pacific Northwest, the fog and cool along the ocean is a VERY localized thing....

I lived in Bernal Heights and on Potrero Hill in San Francisco during the 1960's and yes, I do remember some of it. I suppose that my memory brings doubt about whether I really was there, though, doesn't it? I used to enjoy watching the fog spilling through the saddle of twin peaks, or coming up the Excelsior. Also spent a lot of time on Mt. Tamalpais, and for a short time took flying lessons out of Half Moon Bay, which gave me a fabulous overview. And I lived at 2nd and Irving for awhile, where I could look to the west and watch the edge of the fog moving toward or away, frequently becoming engulfed by it. It is quite an amazing thing how the fog takes on almost a persona. Photographing in the region was especially challenging because of the rapid and frequent light changes.

Toffle · Apr 3, 2009

eddym said:
Entropy sucks.

Actually it's that Newton SOB I blame.

Anscojohn · Apr 3, 2009

bowzart said:
I lived in Bernal Heights and on Potrero Hill in San Francisco during the 1960's and yes, I do remember some of it. I suppose that my memory brings doubt about whether I really was there, though, doesn't it? I used to enjoy watching the fog spilling through the saddle of twin peaks, or coming up the Excelsior. Also spent a lot of time on Mt. Tamalpais, and for a short time took flying lessons out of Half Moon Bay, which gave me a fabulous overview. And I lived at 2nd and Irving for awhile, where I could look to the west and watch the edge of the fog moving toward or away, frequently becoming engulfed by it. It is quite an amazing thing how the fog takes on almost a persona. Photographing in the region was especially challenging because of the rapid and frequent light changes.

*****
Was it Mark Twain who wrote "The coldest winter I ever spent was July in San Francisco?"

Vaughn · Apr 3, 2009

That was Mark Twain, alright. My wiper motor was acting up on my VW bug and I thought, "Heck it is summer, I'll fix it before Winter comes." I ended up driving around with a squeegee that I could reach around and keep the fog mist off the windshield. I working inland and just needed it when I came home to the coast on the week-ends.

Vaughn

StorminMatt · Apr 3, 2009

Vaughn said:
That was Mark Twain, alright. My wiper motor was acting up on my VW bug and I thought, "Heck it is summer, I'll fix it before Winter comes." I ended up driving around with a squeegee that I could reach around and keep the fog mist off the windshield. I working inland and just needed it when I came home to the coast on the week-ends.

Vaughn

Actually, it wasn't Mark Twain who said this. But for whatever reason, he seems to take the credit or it. I don't know who actully came up with it, though. In any case, the coolness is something I always REALLY liked about the Bay Area. Sunny days are nice (and the Bay Area is sunnier than you might think). But sweltering in 80+ degree summer days never really appealed to me. Maybe this is why I tend to find myself going to the Bay Area and Sierra so much in summer whenever I get the chance.

Then, of course, there are California's White Mountains, which is another place altogether (quite literally). We're talking about the brightest sunshine you can imagine ('Sunny 32' rule?), but with summer days in the 50s and 60s up at 10000+ft. Combine that with some of the most exotic scenery you will find anywhere, and it is pretty impossible NOT to come back with shots that make you look like a pro.

Vaughn · Apr 3, 2009

I am sure MT does not mind being given credit for it...LOL!

Actually coastal Humboldt County ain't all that bad, but we like to grumble about it -- it helps keep those pesky southern CA folks away! (of which I am a transplant from...some 36 years ago). The Greater LA Area was a good place to grow up in and an even greater place to leave! The range of climate and landforms here in CA is just remarkable.

I'll have to make it up to the White Mtns one of these days and do a little metering! I was up in Wheeler Peak area last summer -- a 13,000+ peak in Nevada with a great grove of brislecone pines also. That high elevation is just something else...and that is when those UV filters actually do something besides protect the lens!

Vaughn

StorminMatt · Apr 4, 2009

Vaughn said:
I'll have to make it up to the White Mtns one of these days and do a little metering! I was up in Wheeler Peak area last summer -- a 13,000+ peak in Nevada with a great grove of brislecone pines also. That high elevation is just something else...and that is when those UV filters actually do something besides protect the lens!

Vaughn

If you want to climb White Mountain Peak (alt 14246ft), the easiest time to go is during the open house at Barcroft Lab. This happens around the first week of August. And you can drive all the way to the lab itself (alt 12470ft) on that day. This shaves off about 2 miles of hiking and 700ft of climbing. If you are not one of those people in tip-top physical shape, this can make the difference between being able to summit and not making it. Just keep in mind that you will have plenty of company on the trail that day (whereas you will likely have the mountain to yourself on other days). Also, you will likely be sharing the bristlecone groves with more people on that weekend. But if going to these places is more of a social thing for you, this might not be too bad. Especially since being in a place like the Whites tends to bring out the best in people.

I should also note that the lab usualy also has an 'open gate day' around Labor Day. Unlike the open house, you cannot tour the lab. But you can still drive all the way up there for an easier hike. It is also less likely to be crowded on that day than on the open house.

Athiril · Apr 4, 2009

Lol here in Australia in winter it can still be damn hot and bright!

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

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