Photograph the alpenglow

The alpenglow only ever occurs on certain mountains. Only if the mountain is higher than all the mountains in the direction of the sun can the sunlight reach the top of the mountain. Accordingly, in each mountain range, only certain mountains come into question where you can photograph an alpenglow.

The time of year plays an enormous role, because the sun rises or sets in different directions throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, you may or may not be able to photograph alpenglow on a mountain. To find this out, you need a topographic map where you can see the contour lines of the mountains and mountain peaks. In VIEWFINDR you can simply use the background map “Outdoor”.

Now you need the current position of the sun. To do this, insert the corresponding tool on the map. Following the logic, you now have to check whether there are no other peaks in the direction of the sunrise or sunset at the current time of year, so that the light can fall on the peak you have selected.

The alpenglow always occurs on the side of the mountain opposite the current position of the sun below the horizon line. If you are on the wrong side of the mountain, you cannot photograph the alpenglow because you would only see the shadow side!