GREAT APPS FOR LANDSCAPE AND TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNING

In this Learn Photography post, I cover an important and often neglected aspect of Landscape and Travel Photography: planning. So today we are going to explore some great apps for landscape and travel photography planning that will increase your chances of coming home with “wow” images. By the way, planning apps are not only needed for landscape and travel photographer, but for all photographers working in the outdoors.

There are so many different and good photography planning apps on the market today that knowing which app to use can be overwhelming. To reduce the confusion, I find it helpful to breakdown planning apps into distinct functions then select my favorite app from within those functions. So let me share with my personal app breakdown along with what apps I use.

This “Apps for Landscape and Travel Photography Planning” is long and to help you get through it, there is a Table of Contents with clickable links. If you have no interest in Astrophotography or Tidal Charts, just skip those sections.

Why Photographer’s Need Planning Apps

To create amazing images that stand out from the masses!

I bet you have seen images such as a moon rising between rock formations and thought how lucky that photographer was to be there as just the right time. Well most of those amazing images had little to do with luck and more to do with pre-visualizing an image and doing the planning to make it happen.

This planning typically involves tracking the position of the sun and moon over a 24 hour period at a given location for a given day. Then its time to check weather forecasts, decide on compositions and gear choices along with camera settings. But that’s not all, if you are in a coastal area, tides matter while mountain areas require a photographer to know when the sun will rise above the mountain peak and not just the horizon.

I know this sounds like a ton of work but in fact by using some wonderful mobile apps along with some desktop tools, planning for landscape photography can be great fun.

So let’s start having a bit of fun.

Types of Landscape and Travel Photography Apps

Now let’s take a closer look at these different types of planning apps.

1. Photography Apps for Tracking Light

Every landscape photographer (as well as other photographers) needs to know when the sun and moon will rise and set as well as the track of the sun through the sky throughout the day. When looking at apps here are the minimum features I expect an app to contain.

Best Known: The Photographer’s Ephemeris(TPE)

The Photographers Ephemeris (TPE) -is the most popular app for outdoor light prediction with many great features. It is available by itself or with different add ons or upgrades and is sold as the following two products: a) Web based Desktop TPE and b) Mobile App TPE. 

By the way, Ephemeris refers to the location of the sun and moon throughout the day.

The desktop version has upgrades and the App product has additional app options as I discuss below. It is important to note that as of this writing the TPE Mobile App is only available for IOS systems although an Android version should be available again at some future date.  Desktop versions are web based and therefore available to all operating systems.

Web Based Desktop TPE Features:

Basic Desktop: The Free Version provides light prediction for sun and moon times and phases as well as a street map.

Desktop Web Pro Version: Includes Sun, Moon, & Milky Way Planning with Google Maps , 3d Terrain and Visual Search.

Desktop Web Pro with Skyline: Includes all the features from Web Pro as well as access to Skyline weather forecasting.

Mobile TPE App:

The Photographer’s Ephemeris for IOS: Includes Sun, Moon, & Milky Way Planning with Google Maps , Light prediction calculator for Milky Way, and other light tracking functions including augmented reality.

The Photographer’s Ephemeris 3D: – This App incorporated terrain features such as mountains into TPE’s light paths so photographers can visualize how vertical objects such as mountains can impact light. Buildings are not currently included. This app also enables photographers to plan shots to have the sun or moon appear between objects.

Photo Transit TPE: Designed for cameras with interchangeable lens so photographers can determine what lens is needed as well as providing sight lines with field of view visualization.

Screen Shot of TPE desktop showing sun and moon rise and set times at San Xavier Mission in Tucson for February 28, 2019.

TPE COSTS:

As of this updated post, here are the latest pricing models for TPE products.  Be sure to check TPE’s website for updates as they seem to be changing their pricing models a bit lately.

Presently there are two different products priced separately, TPE’s desktop web product and TPE’s Mobile product.  Purchasing one product does not provide access to the other product. 

Basic Desktop: This is Free but features are limited as noted above.

Desktop Web Pro Version: $29.99/yearly or $3.99/monthly

Desktop Web Pro with Skyline: $49.99/yearly or $6.99/monthy

The Photographer’s Ephemeris App: $9.99

TPE 3D: $11.99

Photo Transit App: $8.99

TPE App Bundle: All three apps for $19.99

Best Overall App: PhotoPills

PhotoPills -is my favorite Light Planning App. Not only does PhotoPills offer most of the standard light tracking features of other apps on this list, but it offers the ability to save photo shot plans directly in the app. Photopills does not stop there, it also includes Augmented Reality, a DOF Calculator and so much more.

PhotoPills is an all in one product with no add ons and is available for both IOS and Android users. Unlike TPE, there is no current desktop product but the app itself can be used on a computer with an android emulator. I do wish they would come out with a desktop version!

As feature rich as PhotoPills is, it lacks light pollution data.

Overview of PhotoPills Features:

Screen shot of PhotoPills showing sunrise and sunset positions at North Window Arch in Arches National Park for December 21, 2020.

PhotoPills can appear intimidating at first glance but is actually very easy to use. In fact, spending just one to two hours with the included tutorials should be all most people need to use its basic features.

Costs:

PhotoPills can be purchased for $10.99.

Another Feature Packed App: Planit

Planit is another feature rich light planning tool with a ton of other features. It is a newer app that the previous two apps and therefore not as well known. However, for photographers who desire a-lot of information this is an app worth exploring.

Planit is available on mobile devices for both IOS and Android users but has no desktop web version to date. Here again I wish there was a desktop version.

Planit offers a main app called Planit Pro that contains all the basic light tracking features but includes the following additional features:

Planit offers an Augmented Reality app called Planit Live

In full transparency, I have not used all the features of Planit yet as it has a bit of a learning curve and I have not taken time to use it to its fullest.

Costs:

Planit Pro: $9.99

Planit Live: Free

Golden Hour App

Available from Google Play for Android only devices. In addition to sun and moon angles and positions, Golden Hour includes a listing of specific start and stop times for different light events such as Golden Hour and Blue Hour. Although other apps include similar information the listing format makes it very easy to follow for beginners.

If you are looking for an app for Android only that is beginner friendly, this may be the ephemeris app for you. However for those serious about trip planning and astrophotography, I would look to one of the other three apps listed above.

Costs: Free

Sun Surveyor

Here is another feature rich app available for both IOS and Android devices. This app has some cool features that I really enjoy especially the apps upcoming photo opportunities in a given area. However I do not believe this is the app for those seriously interested in night photography.

Costs: $9.99

( There are references to a lite view that I assume if free but can’t find any download for that on their site)

The above names are just of few of the many Light Prediction apps on the market today.

2. Best Photography Apps for Weather

Weather can make or break the best planned shots so a full featured weather app is also essential to shoot planning. The following are my minimum requirements when I consider a weather app.

Clear Outside

• This is an app that features a 7 day forecast that is updated hourly.  
• One great feature for photographers is the breakdown of clouds into low, medium and high clouds. 
• Temperatures are shown as Celsius and if there is a setting to change it, I have not found it. 
• Rain, fog and visibility are also shown on this app.  

The app has a visually appealing screen but I did find some functions to be a bit awkward. Although its cloud information was nice, it was not always that accurate with it’s timing.  Therefore I have mixed feelings but suggest you try it for yourself. 

Costs: Free

Astrospheric

Astrospheric is a very good app focused on North American astronomers and astrophotographers. It uses data from the Canadian Meteorological Society and updates the data 4 times a day to ensure the most accurate forecasts. Other apps may only update data 2 times a day.

It is available for both IOS and Android devices.

It offers a ton of features in its free version, however, some important cloud date is only available in the paid version of the app. That being said, I do recommend photographers give this app a try. Also it included smoke and light pollution data.

Features

I should note that I find it’s screen a bit cluttered and not as visually appealing as Clear Outside.

Costs:

Basic Version: Free

Pro Version: $2.99 monthly

Weather and Radar

This is the app I use primarily for travel days as I have found it’s timing for weather events, in particular storms and wind to be very accurate. It does however lack the low, mid, and high level cloud information found in Clear Outside and Astrospheric as well as light pollution data so it not as useful for actual photography planning as it is for traveling.By the way,  I traveled out West for 4 straight years towing a trailer making the timing, speed and direction of winds vitally important.

Weather and Radar is available for both IOS and Android devices.

Costs: Free

Yr

This is both a website and mobile app for weather and other meteorological events.  The app was once called Yr.no but now just Yr. The “no” stood for Norwegian where it was developed.  Unlike the other apps listed above, I have not used this one yet and will update this post shortly with my actual experience. From other photographers I have heard rav reviews and also complaints about glitches so without personal experience, I can only offer the name for you to try.

3. Best Photography Apps For Exposure And DOF: 

Photopills  

I love it when I can get most of my photo planning completed within one app and PhotoPills definitely delivers here again. To adequately cover all it’s features in this category, it requires a separate post which I will write in the next few months. In the meantime, let’s take a look at one of my favorite features:

In the example below, I input my camera, the focal length of my lens, my f stop. The PhotoPills calculator then provides the following information: the closest objects that will be in focus are at 5.6 feet while the farthest objects that will be in focus are at infinity. To achieve this DOF, I need to focus on a subject that is about 7.8 feet from my camera.

I should note that on the PhotoPills website, under Academy, there are additional DOF calculator tools including all necessary definitions that I encourage you to check out.

PhotoPills Depth of Field Calculator

Depth of Field Calculator

For those who find PhotoPills confusing to use, Depth of Field Calculator is another popular app that offers both a free and paid version. I have not used this app in a number of years since I now use PhotoPills but it worked fine when I last used it.  I can’t attest to it’s current functionality.  Here is a screen shot from the apps website of what you will see as you calculate DOF for given settings.

4. Best Photography Apps For Astrophotography

Astrophotography simply means taking pictures of the sky and its objects at night. Of course this involves a wide variety of subjects, such as the milky way, the moon, stars, star trails, planets and more. With such a variety of subjects, it takes a combination of apps to create that perfect night sky photo.

Listed by task, here are my favorite Astrophotography apps but please evaluate each app listed below for its appropriateness for what you plan to shoot.

Task- Finding Dark Skies:

Dark Sky Finder/Light Pollution Map

Light Pollution Map -Dark Sky Finder is a popular go to app but often confused with Dark Site Finder which is a desktop map of light pollution. Not only does Light Pollution Map identify the darkest possible sky locations, it also provides alerts for moon phases, meteor showers, and many other sky events. It is available on both IOS and Android devices.

Below is an example of the Light Pollution Map for Florida.

Costs: Free

In addition to Light Pollution Map-Dark Sky, the following previously reviewed apps also offer a Light Pollution Map: TPE, Clear Outside, and Atmospheric.

Task- Photographing the Moon

The moon is usually one of the first night sky objects photographers photograph when they venture into night photography.  Although many apps are capable of predicting the moon phases, I have listed below the most popular apps used to identify moon phases. Unlike weather apps, these apps all tend to be accurate so find the app that is easiest for you to use and go have some lunar fun. Personally, unless you are seriously interested in moon photography, one of the following apps you should already own will work.

My Moon Phase

This is a good app for tracking the moon phases and works on both IOS and Android devices. It provides basic information in a easy to read format. However, I am a fan of only adding apps that I absolutely need and there is nothing here that the other 4 above names do not provide.

Costs: Free

Task- Photographing Stars

To photograph stars, it is important to locate a dark sky location, pay attention to the moon phase, and have a clear sky night.  When all conditions are right and you are ready to photograph the sky, its time to identify that stars in the sky and these apps are here to assist you.

Stellarium

This is my go to app for identifying all known stars, comets, deep space objects, and more. The app not only shows the stars but also the amount of light on a given date. It is available for both IOS and Android devices as well as a desktop version. There is also an add on app that offers telescope control, 3d views, event calendars and more.

Below is an example of what the basic app shows by just pointing the camera at the sky and being an Aries I just had to show this image.

Costs: Stellarium Mobile– Free Stellarium Pro for one time fee of $18.99 or $1.98/month

Other apps to consider:

 Star Guide, Sky Walk & Star Walk 2

Task- Photographing the Milky Way

To photograph the Milky Way, a photographer needs to located a dark sky location, determine the moon phases on a given date and research weather conditions for the location and date. Once all these factors have been evaluated, it’s time to see what time the Milky Way’s Galactic Center will be visible.

Thankfully, the landscape and travel planning apps already covered above will be all you need to plan your Milky Way photography.

5. Best Photography Apps For Coastal And Tide Info

Beautiful coastal images usually involve a sunrise or sunset.  So of course we need to know tidal information at sunrise and sunset times for several reasons: to pre visual shooting conditions, for safety reasons, and to determine which day would be best for creating certain images. Here are my top tide apps:

TideGraphPro 

This app provides over 5000 US locations with tide predictions without needing an internet connection. Also displays barometric pressure and moon phases.

Ayetides  

This is a app for IOS devices and comes in three different products.  One for iPhones, one of iPads and now one for the MAC.  With each increase in device size, additional features are added.    

My Tide Times

This app is available for both IOS and Android devices unlike the previous app.  Information is stored in the program for thousands of locations eliminating the need for an internet connection.

All tide apps offer decent tidal information as well as moon times.  When choosing an app look for one that works on your particular operating system and also has the most information for areas you plan to photograph.  

6. Best Photography Apps For Photographing Mountains

When photographing mountains in addition to the light finding apps and weather apps discussed above, I find it very helpful to use an app that shows shadows and heights of surrounding terrain and an app that names the nearby mountains. So here are my choices for these two functions:

Peak Finder

The Peak Finder app is available for both Android and IOS devices.  It offers a number of different ways to identify mountain peaks and has a extensive database of mountains throughout the world. Last summer I spent about an hour trying to identify the name of a mountain peak in Colorado before I discovered this app!  How I did  not know about this app beforehand I don’t know but will never again photograph the mountains without it. 

Screen Shot from Peak Finder for Grand Teton National Park:

7. Other Great Photography Apps:

Monumental Trees

Although this is technically a database, not a true app, this is a great resource for locating over 68,000 worldwide  trees by location or species.

Cascadable 

This is a great app that allows users to use wifi to control and interact with their cameras remotely.  This app was originally designed to replace the poor quality wifi in many cameras.

AllTrails 

AllTrails is a wonderful resource when hikes are necessary to reach photo destinations.  It provides important elevation and distance information critical to arriving at locations in time for sun and moon rise and set times.

Web Based Planning Sites

Google Earth and Google My Map  

I can not conclude this post without including two important websites that need no explanation. I use both of these resources on almost all photo shoots to new locations. 

Summary:

The apps listed above are only a portion of the available apps on the market.  I could not cover them all in this post but hope the information contained here gives you a starting point for planning your next photo excursion.  By the way, I would love to hear your thoughts on the above apps as well as others that I did not list so please take a minute to comment below.  

 In the next couple months I will be publishing a new blog post that compares the features of the three most comprehensive apps, TPE, PhotoPills and Planit in extensive detail so be sure to check back in soon.  In the meantime, to learn more about my entire process of planning photo shoots and RV travel routes check out: 10 Tips for Planning Photography Trips

Happy trip planning!