Trying to find a good spot for sunrise or sunset photos is a bit challenging. Unless you visit the location ahead of time, you’re not exactly sure what the foreground might look like. Where should you stand for the best reflection in the lake? Will that building be in the way? You get the idea.

With apps for your phone or tablet, you can now find the exact angle of the sun on the exact day you wish to shoot, so you know just where to stand and what time the sun will appear. Using the LightTrac app with the satellite function, I discovered Shoreline Park while in Pensacola this year. I didn’t even do a location check in the daylight, but took a chance early one morning. It proved to be a great location. Now, if they can only predict whether the clouds will be perfectly lined up at just the precise moment you want to shoot. Maybe that will be an upgrade feature in the next version?