In photography, time is a very important factor, not just filling time, but the weather. Being able to predict the weather will do, when pursuing a particular photo, you can be the difference between getting the picture, or take the tour and return empty-handed. However, the predictions that we offer the media can be too general and vague, failing to detail every place and every hour need. The solution is being able to make our own predictions based on isobaric maps and satellite images.

Recently, I attended a course in map reading isobaric oriented mountain activities, which has proved very useful, not only to see if I can go hiking, but also to predict what will be the conditions that I found for a photo. My first attempt to apply the knowledge gained was the sixth day of December, that he intended to take some pictures at dawn Valmayor reservoir . The maps told me it would not rain and be clear, so all augured a good morning. But I did not count with a factor, just above the anticyclone, and the prevailing low temperatures were a breeding ground for fog. In the end I did not lose the morning, I adapted to the conditions he had, and I brought some interesting photo, but not those which were sought.

When it started snowing, I was intended to get a good picture of Peñalara just at dawn. I needed a clear day to give sunlight directly at the summit, but the weather was very unstable. I have followed closely the evolution of time to detect the right time. On several occasions there were windows of good weather, but at dawn. On day 20 conditions were seeking, but the expected 13 degrees below zero, made me give up.

Finally, last Sunday (27/12) thought it was the day. My first expectation was that on Saturday hiciese good time, but the storm turned closer than expected and the dawn of Saturday was going to be rainy, so I gave up and during the day, I saw that I was right. But Sunday came another window of good weather. A front approaching from the west and enter the middle Madrid on Sunday, so that in the morning even I could brighten the sky with some clouds. I got up at 6 am and the first thing I did was confirm the situation. The front moving faster than expected and the first clouds were almost on Madrid. So my goal was almost two hours away, so I was not sure of arriving on time, but in the case of a warm front, the first clouds could be interesting, photographically speaking. I took the stuff and started running.

Having been doubting me lose too much time, and I never before sunrise (calculated with The Photographer's Ephemeris ) as I wanted, but when the sun was at the peak. But I was wrong: it was sunny and some clouds began to hover behind the peak. I started doing some photos and just half an hour later the sky was flooded with fleecy clouds that foretell the coming of the warm front.

With the sun already too high, but his photo.

Once the sun rose a little I went to look for other targets and was able to pan, again with Peñalara the background, in which the clouds from the southwest began to cover the sky. (Clicking on the picture you to the gallery where you can get to the pyramid version photo to enlarge and see all the details. Are 33 photos in three rows.)

Then the densest clouds stained the sky a leaden gray, and only two hours later, the summit of Peñalara was completely lost between them. The forecasts on television the previous day spoke of clear weather in the morning he would go to cover throughout the day, but only careful interpretation can determine how it will be time at a specific time, which can be the difference between a photo and the photo.

Of course I have much to learn about it, but I think it will be time well spent that will allow me wonder save on travel time and find the best conditions. I'm thinking some things going on here telling how to interpret maps, clouds and, ultimately, how to make our own weather forecast for a particular area, in order to be able to predict when we have the best conditions to take the shot we want. You think it's interesting? Do you find it useful?

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