Smoke Out West
Aug 15, 2018 13:20:46 #
bkijek
Loc: Oak Lawn, Illinois
In recent days, I’ve read a lot of posts that peripherally mention the affects of the smoke from the California Forest fires on the Southwest. I’ll be taking a mega-vacation through Colorado, Utah and northern Arizona starting September 19th. I’ll be going to the Southwest for the first time in 40 years and will be joined by my wife who has never been there.
I’ve been planning my photo shoots for six months (including Milky Way and other night photography).
My question: Is the smoke so bad that it will effect the picture taking part of the vacation? I’ve also read that the smoke is so bad that people need to close their windows at night.
Any comments, observations would be appreciated.
“Panicky” Bill
I’ve been planning my photo shoots for six months (including Milky Way and other night photography).
My question: Is the smoke so bad that it will effect the picture taking part of the vacation? I’ve also read that the smoke is so bad that people need to close their windows at night.
Any comments, observations would be appreciated.
“Panicky” Bill
Aug 15, 2018 13:32:37 #
By mid September you will hopefully be fine (pray that we have no additional fires between now and then). The fires are coming under control gradually. There has been less smoke the past few days here in the Delta (Sacramento River) region. For a while it was pretty thick throughout the Central Valley. This morning it’s more of a distant haze.
Aug 15, 2018 13:42:02 #
Right now, looking out my window from the Denver metro area, cannot see the mountains or much past 2 miles. The mountains are worse. And we just had two new fires pop up. The smoke from our fires plus California and any of the other mountain states is just awful. I have to irrigate my sinuses every morning and evening and I feel like I have a lot of congestion in my throat. I normally have no allergies but this year is something else. If you decide to come here, good luck with the haze and smoke, it is very bad.
Aug 16, 2018 06:25:28 #
N97972
Loc: Chelan County, Washington
A lot of variables there will be good days and bad days, however you will have more interesting light with the smoke in the air. You may find these sites helpful for planning.
https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Pete Karp
Cashmere, WA
https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Pete Karp
Cashmere, WA
Aug 16, 2018 07:51:19 #
I live in the Phoenix area. There are mountains pretty much surrounding the area. I've also postponed a number of trips just a bit north of me due to atmospheric conditions. The clouds were perfect, but somewhat lacking contrast because of the amount of haze. Additionally, if one is going to do landscape photography, one needs to see the landscape. Mountains just 10 miles away were invisible yesterday morning. This may be another "stuck at home" weekend.
I'm hoping that this clears up somewhat soon. However, there are fires burning in most of the western states at the moment. It's just that Ca. is making more news than the others.
--Bob
addendum: http://mynorthwest.com/1082095/unhealthy-smoky-air-blankets-northwest/
I'm hoping that this clears up somewhat soon. However, there are fires burning in most of the western states at the moment. It's just that Ca. is making more news than the others.
--Bob
addendum: http://mynorthwest.com/1082095/unhealthy-smoky-air-blankets-northwest/
bkijek wrote:
In recent days, I’ve read a lot of posts that peri... (show quote)
Aug 16, 2018 07:56:46 #
Mid September. That’s a month away. I have family in Montana. It’s still smoke there.
Aug 16, 2018 09:14:09 #
I was just at the North Rim...hazy but at times that added to the pictures. They also had their own fires contributing. I am happy I went and happy with the pictures as well. We had 2 great nights with the Milky Way. One we were able to include the fires as a point of interest.
Aug 16, 2018 09:23:07 #
It's pretty clear in Northwest NM right now, but it has been bad the last couple of weeks. I would say that if there are no more fires between now and your trip yo will be fine.
Bill
Bill
Aug 16, 2018 10:47:15 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
We had a few days here in the S.F. Bay Area where the smoke was pretty heavy... but it's been clearer recently. (Much closer to this years fires than AZ.)
When the smoke was heavy, it made for some pretty spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It also made midday sunlight sort of like "golden hour" light.
Somewhere I've got some shots I took in and around San Diego at the peak of the firestorm there in 2007. The smoke was much thicker than what we've seen here this year... we had to wear masks outdoors, the sun was almost entirely blocked all day, and overall lighting was very eerie all day long. Our cars, the streets.... everything outdoors, in fact.... were covered with ash.
When the smoke was heavy, it made for some pretty spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It also made midday sunlight sort of like "golden hour" light.
Somewhere I've got some shots I took in and around San Diego at the peak of the firestorm there in 2007. The smoke was much thicker than what we've seen here this year... we had to wear masks outdoors, the sun was almost entirely blocked all day, and overall lighting was very eerie all day long. Our cars, the streets.... everything outdoors, in fact.... were covered with ash.
Aug 16, 2018 11:36:30 #
It depends on which way the wind is blowing. I took pictures of the milkyway here in CA last week and no smoke to bother them. But last month I was in the Eastern Sierras and the smoke was bad and my landscape photos sucked. But the sky at night wasn't bad and I got some milkyway shots there.
bkijek wrote:
In recent days, I’ve read a lot of posts that peri... (show quote)
Aug 16, 2018 12:51:50 #
Smoke or no smoke it is always a “great day” when you’re in Colorado. Make the best of it and enjoy.
Aug 16, 2018 13:59:42 #
We have nine fires going right now, plus all the fires from the north. Some areas are closed which makes access to other areas difficult. Still cannot see the mountains from my house. The smoke at our cabin above FairPlay is terrible, will burn your throat. Some of these fires are said to go on thru parts of October. Just some updates on the real conditions, the news has a tendancy to understate conditions so that the tourism is not greatly affected.
Aug 16, 2018 20:32:53 #
I would save my night shots for Arizona. No smoke that I’ve heard of in that area. Subject to change.📸
Aug 16, 2018 21:32:29 #
worldcycle
Loc: Stateline, Nevada
When you have got lemons, make lemonade. Lake Tahoe sunset when view of lake and surrounding mountains hidden by smoke.
Aug 17, 2018 01:51:48 #
Here in Wyoming it is hit and miss on smoke. Last Saturday evening there was some smoke but was still able to get some good Night photos. However the last four or so days we could not see the mountains to the west of us due to smoke. Go to this site http://www.cleardarksky.com and you can get an idea of what the smoke is doing currently. Look below the charts for the red warning about smoke and it will connect you to a map of smoke conditions.
bkijek wrote:
In recent days, I’ve read a lot of posts that peri... (show quote)
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