Seasonal Light

[akavalun]

Lets say that for a particular scenic location, 2 months prior to

the summer solstice(last week of april we'll say) is the best time

for natural lighting of the scene. Am i correct in saying that one

will achieve the exact same lighting and sun position at the same

locaion 2 months after the summer solstice(late august)??

[kirk_keyes]

Exact same position? The answer is no, it will be slightly different.

 

The orbit of the earth is not perfectly round so the shadows when traced over a year's time will form an uneven figure-8 pattern. This shape is called an annalemma - see this website for a nice, short description:

http://www.twigsdigs.com/sundials/office/

 

Kirk - www.keyesphoto.com