Moonrise, Sierra foothills, Mariposa Country, CA, USA
In my December post Moonstruck I talked about the two best apps for figuring out sun and moon positions: PhotoPills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris.
I’ve relied on The Photographer’s Ephemeris for many years; it’s a great tool. PhotoPills is newer, but as I’ve become more familiar with it I’ve used it more and more. PhotoPills has a couple of very useful extra features, like it’s Augmented Reality mode, which allows you to superimpose the future path of the sun, moon, or other celestial object over a live picture (on your iPhone) of the scene in front of you. Even better, if you want to photograph the sun or moon lined up with a certain object – a building, or a mountain, for example – you can search for the times when that will happen, and see a list of results which includes moon phases, and the days when your desired alignment corresponds with the “magic” hour.
How to Win a Free Copy of PhotoPills:
This app is normally only $9.99, but Rafael Pons at PhotoPills has generously offered to give away five copies of this app to my readers. To have a chance to win, just post a comment below saying you’re interested. There’s one catch: you must own an iPhone or iPod Touch! PhotoPills is only available for the iPhone so far. (A universal app formatted for the iPad is in the works, but not available yet.) You have until midnight tomorrow (Monday, January 13th) Pacific time to post a comment and have a chance to win.
For more about PhotoPills, here’s a review on Luminous Landscape, and another in Landscape Photography Magazine. You can also watch an extensive and thorough group of video tutorials here.
Good luck!
– Michael Frye
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom 5: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Would love to give it a try!
I have an iPhone and would love this app!
+1 in the interested camp!
Most definitely interested, using TPE extensively but would love the additional features of this app. Thanks Michael.
I’d love to have PhotoPills!
Count me in
I’m interested!
Mike
I have been considering this app for a while. Very interested.
Thank you Michael for sharing. I’m interested in PhotoPills!
Subrata
Hi Mike – I am definitely interested in this app – Thanks to PhotoPill for the offer 🙂
Denny Jump
I’ve tried other similar apps and would sure like to try Photopills.
Big fan of your work Michael!
This would be an excellent addition to my iPhone! Thank you for the chance.
I’m interested & have both an iPhone & iPad
I am a big fan of Michael Frye and his nature photography. I am hoping that PhotoPills will give me one more edge to be able to aspire to the quality of his work. I will gladly take all the help I can get !!!
Michael, please add me to the list. I would love to use PhotoPills.
Would love to give it a try………
+1 in the interest list. Would love to have the app!
I’m definitely interested!
Oh, yes. Would love the app.
Looks like I’m late to the party, but I’m definitely interested in the app – thanks!
I really like The Photographer’s Ephemeris and would be happy for a free copy of PhotoPills.
Greetings from Switzerland! I’ve used Photographers Ephemeris quite often and would love to learn how to improve my skills during the golden and blue hours. Thank you both Rafael and Michael for the support and inspiration! Christian
Yes, very interested in trying the Photopills App. Please include me for consideration in the PhotoPills giveaway.
I use an augmented reality app to help me visualise satellites at work . . .
To have an app that would do the same thing for my photography would be awesome!
Would love it! Pick me pick me!!
Sounds like a great opportunity. Definitely beats staking out a place a year ahead of time.
Interested…..
Such a useful app. Count me in, please.
This sounds really interesting. I use SkySafari & Starwalk (in addition to TPE), but neither can be as specific as PhotoPills sounds. Nor are they made for photography.
Michael, thanks for the opportunity. I’d love to give it a try. Best, BA
I have used EP. Would love to give PhotoPills a try. Count me in please.
Thank you Michael, for the chance to try out this cool app. I’d LOVE to try it!
Thanks for the opportunity to get PhotoPill app. I use PE and find useful as well
Totally interested…thanks for the chance to check out this App!
I would love to win a copy of PhotoPills.
Please enter me into your contest.
Would love to try it. Thanks for doing this.
Gotta join in. I’ve got an iPhone and would be interested in a copy of PhotoPills. Michael – thanks for informing us of the app plus this offer.
Thank for this opportunity. I am interested.
would love to try this…Thank you
Not familiar with this app, but the extra features sound great.
Looks like a great app – definitely interested
Hello Michael
I’m a proud owner of an iphone 4s and 5 and have already the photographer’s ephemeris and sun sea and lightTrac. So, I would love to have this new app that appears to be very interesting
Thanks for sharing
Very interested to compare with TPE.
Hi Michael – I have an iPhone, regularly use TPE, and am VERY interested in PhotoPills – sounds great! Count me in!
Oh yes, I would love to try out Photophils for free.
Thanks Michael
I’m interested.
That sounds like a great app. I’d love to try it.
Greetings from Australia
A big thank you to Rafel Pons from PhotoPills for this generous gift.
Yes I am interested in PhotoPills, as I shall be in the US in March for eight weeks photographing and sightseeing. A handy app to have.
Michael thank you for your wonderful site
I am very interested. Already thinking of one situation for it’s use!
Love these apps! Would love to try this one too!
I use the Photographer’s Ephemeris and would love to give PhotoPills a try.
I’m interested and i’ve the iphone. 🙂
Would love to win a copy of photo pills
I would love to have this app!
Just upgraded to iPhone 5. I would love a copy of PhotoPills to go on it! Anything to simplify my photography. Thanks!
I have heard such good reports on this…would love to try it out. thanks for this!
I am interested in PhotoPills – thanks in advance.
My iPhone 4S would live this app! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m interested!
I would love to try the app. I hope to spend more time in evening shooting this year and the thinking about moon position, in specific, is interesting to me!
Add me to the interested list
I’m very interested, have iPhone, and willing heart!
Looks like a great app, and handy. Would like to try it.
My iPod Touch 5th Gen. would love to install the prize of PhotoPills! Thanks for the chance!
I am very interested to test it under serious winter conditions here in Sweden 🙂
Thanks very much for letting us know about this and for the chance to win a copy! Going to have to check it out one way or the other.
I have an iPad and iPhone and if you say that you have been using it more and more instead of Photographer’s Ephemeris, then I take that as a top endorsement and would love to try the app. Thank you very much.
I am very interested in having the Photopills app! Thanks for the opportunity.
I’m interested!
interested in trying.
Think the app would be great for my Lake Superior shots and everything else!
I’m not an Apple person so please give the app to someone else and please make you app available in a format for the rest of us! 🙂
Micheal:
Thanks for the offer and I would love to try it. Unfortunately, I am an Android guy. I did notice The Photographer’s Ephemeris is a cross platform app, so I purchased it. I love it. Many thanks for the tip.
Would love to add this app to my landscape toolbox. Thank you for your consideration and for your inspiring art as portrayed in your photography.
I’ve been using the Photog Ephemera for a while as well as Focalware. PhotoPills sounds like a great alternative.
I am interested. The app will be really useful. Thanks for the offer
Put me in the drawing. I have iPhone 5s and iPad.
Would love to add that great app to my iPhone. Thanks Michael and PhotoPills (BTW – love that name)!
This app looks great. I would love a chance to win.
I’m interested! I use TPE frequently and would really like to try the extra features you mentioned. Thanks!
I would love to win PhotoPills.
Sounds like a great app… 🙂
Really interested in becoming more educated about knowing when and where the light will be, and not just getting lucky. This would be an awesome opportunity!
Thanks for making the offer available.
Throwing my hat in the ring. Have been using TPE but would like to give PhotoPills a try based on your recommendation.
I’m interested. How could a photographer not want this app!
sounding interesting, count me in for photopills give away
I’d like to try it!
Michael,
I would love to have this app on my iPhone. It would be a great addition to my photo toolbox. Thanks for the opportunity.
Would love this app! I love to shoot at night! I have an iPhone!
Thanks Michael & Rafael for the opportunity to win a copy! I’ve been using The Photographers Ephemeris and I’d love an chance to check out PhotoPills.
Me, me, me
Yes Michael. I am interested in receiving this app. It will definitely get used. There are many times I need the extra information that it supplies.
Thank you Michael.
I’m interested!
Would to try this one out!
Thanks, Michael. I bet you’ll see quite a few comments on this post! I’d definitely like to try this app for my landscape shooting.
Wife & I vacationed in New England this past summer and while I lugged a bag full of SLR equipment I had more fun photographing with my iTouch. I would really like to try PhotoPolls.
I have a iphone and could use this.
Thanks for the opportunity, Michael. Yes, I’m interested in obtaining a copy of PhotoPills. I’ve been using TPE for a while now, but one can never have too many tools. Thanks again.
I’ve been enjoying your images Michael, and I am definitely interested!! I would love to use the PhotoPills app on my iPhone! Figuring out, ahead of time, the best angle for a shot would be a dream!! Thank you for bringing this app to my attention!! It is definitely on my bucket list!!
i want this app!
Thank you Michael for having a give away. You have a lot of interest here, so I’m crossing my fingers that I’m picked! If not, I’ll still enjoy seeing your beautiful images and reading the blog.
I’ve been pleased with Focalware but would welcome the opportunity to try PhotoPills on my iPhone–it sounds like an innovative interface.
I have a nem blue 5C and love photography. So, i want this amazing app 🙂
Would love to the product. Thank you Muchael!
Oooh, I would LOVE this!!!
Use TPE all the time. Be great to try PhotoPills on my iPhone.
This app would be a great part of my kit in trying to perfect my Michael Frye inspired landscape photography
Many thank Michael and Photopills
I have read the reviews of PhotoPills and it sounds like a fantastic program. I’d love the opportunity to give it a try and let others know about it.
Definitely interested.
Sounds like a good tool. Please enter my name for consideration.
I’d love to try PhotoPills. Thanks for your generosity.
This would be a perfect app for my new iPhone. I hope for the luck of the draw.
Thankyou for your generosity.
I use TPE but would love to give this app a go
I am interested in PhotoPills. Thank you for the information and a chance to win!
I would love to use this app! I have my iphone with me all the time. It is my #1 tool for planning my next photo trip
I’d love a copy.
Sign me up! Would love a copy of PhotoPills!
Would like a copy and I’m interested in this app.
I’m interested too 🙂
BR Karsten
PhotoPills sounds terrific! I use the Photographers Ephemeris a lot and will Beverly interested in seeing if thus new app is more useful. Thanks!
Looking into both for sometime and would love to win a free app! Thanks Michael!
Yes, I would love to have a copy. Thanks.
I’ve heard many good things about this app. I’d love to have the opportunity to use it myself.
Thanks!
Count me in. Thanks for the chance Michael!
Hey, You have conducted a wonderful job. I am going to definitely delicious the item and in my view would suggest to be able to friends and neighbors. I know they shall be taken advantage of this web site.
I’ve been looking for something like this. Please sign me up.
Would love to use that app here in West Central Florida
Looks like a lot of people fancy trying PhotoPills, including me.
I would love to get this app. It looks so useful for sunrises on the beach. Placing the sun and moon over a specific building looks great.
Thanks
I would love to have the app for my iPhone. Thanks!
Yes please would really love a copy of PhotoPills.
i’m in….
Have iPhone and can put it to good use.
That sounds like a time-saver and would even help with visualization.
Sounds like a great tool and oh so fun toy!
Would love to add this app on my Iphone. : )
I feel Lucky
This looks cool. I have an iPhone and am interested in trying this. I also use TPE.
Would love to try it.
Would love to try it. Have an iPhone
I would love to try it out. Sounds cool and easy to use.
I’d love to try it.
I AM PLANNING A USA TOUR THIS YEAR AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS APP TO USE DURING THIS TRIP. I HAVE AN IPHONE5 AND PLAN ON USING IT ALOT. PLEASE CONSIDER MY ENTRY. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
Hello, Michael:
And thank you to PhotoPills for giving their app to a few lucky winners!
Please count me in. I love landscape photography, and have numerous places here at home to capture a moment of the fleeting sky, from the sun setting under the curve of an arch to the rays of the sun or moon on water or meadow.
Thank you for your newsletters, too, Michael. They’re inspiring.
I’ve been using photo ephemeris on you recommendation. I would love to try photopills
I have an iPhone and would love this app!
I have an iPhone and would love a copy of Photopills.
I would love to check out this app! I have an iphone.
Hullo Michael
Would love to have the Photopills app . I travel once a year to different parts of the world for as an amateur baby boomer photographer.
regards
Sue
Hi Michael,
I would be very interested in Photopills. Photopills looks like a great app for the iPhone.
Technology today continues to give us incredible information. Would definitely use PhotoPills on my iPhone. Thank you Michael for keeping us all informed.
Hi Michael,
Looks like a great app. Would love to try it.
I would live a chance to try out this app.
Definitely interested in trying the PhotoPills app. Planning on shooting the moon at some of the nearby nature preserves.
I have an iPhone and an iPod touch. I have used the TPE and am anxious to try PhotoPills.
I do use TPE, but always interested in trying something new. Yes, would love to try PhotoPills.
I have some shots in mind that this would be perfect for, thanks for the opportunity!
Thank you for the opportunity, it sounds great!
Who doesn’t like free stuff. It sounds like great software and I’d love to use it
Would love to have the opportunity to try PhotoPills.
It sounds like a great app. I would love to try it – anything to help improve my photography. Thank you for the chance to win one!
I am definitely interested in Photopills, and would love to win a copy.
Thanks,
Thanks for the chance to win what looks like a great app
It looks like this is an app which will help me tremendously with setting up shots; especially night shooting.
I’m interested. Thank you in advance for the opportunity.
Sounds amazing! I’d love a copy!
Count me in. Would love to have a copy of PhotoPills. Thanks.
Would love to get my hands on Photo Pills for a try
jj raia
Would love to have PhotoPills.thanks for the opportunity.
Nice of you to put this together, Michael!
Anything that helps me get that night shot down! Thanks for the app. opp.!
I would very much appreciate a copy of this app on my iPhone.
I’m always looking for an opportunity to catch the moon just as the sun sets. Definitely interested!
I’d love to have a copy of PhotoPills!
I could definitely use the PhotoPills app on my iPhone. Thanks for the opportunity!
I;d love to have this app but OMG that is a lot of people already signed up. Michael, you are quite popular as you should be. Congratulations!
I would love a chance to win PhotoPills iPhone app. Please put me on the list!
Add me to the list. Love to have PhotoPills.
I love your photo ‘Moonrise” and love my iPhone. Would like to win the PhotoPills app. Thanks for adding me to the list
Sounds very useful and interesting, please add me to the list of entries!
I’d like to have that app too.. It’s already a long list, but count me in.
I’d like to give it a try.
As someone who enjoys to take shots combining celestial events and terrestrial landscapes, this app sounds like just icing on the cake!
I am all in. I have been looking at this app since October. Funny, I just re-looked at it yesterday to buy but didn’t have enough on my I-tunes account. Just got a new card today’s when it saw this offer. I will wait another few days to see if I win!
Missed the cut, but appreciate the recommendation for Photo Pills. I’m grabbing myself a copy!
Sounds like a great and useful app, would love to try it!
This sounds like one cool app! I have places I want to shoot but not knowing if the sun or moon will be in the right position. With this app that will no problem!!
Man, I’ve been struggling with this over the past few months – would be awesome to win the app!
As always, thanks for the valuable info, Michael.
Interested!
Wow…I’m interested, but it looks like the chances of winning are 5 in a million ! *-)
Sure, I’m interested. Thanks
Would love to try it …
Yup, I’d love it!
I’m interested.
I’ll love to be entered in your giveaway. I do own an iPod Touch and look forward to the iPad app that is being developed.
Please pick me!
Hi Michael,
I would love to try the PhotoPills app for iPhone. I purchased The Photographer’s Ephemeris based on your suggestion in Getting Started in Landscape Photography and enjoy it very much. PhotoPills sounds even better. Can’t wait to try it.
Thanks,
I’m interested in PhotoPills. Thank you!
Have an iPhone and ready to give it a try.
Hi Michael —
I’ve used The Photographer’s Ephemeris. PhotoPills sounds much better and I would like a chance to use it.
Thanks
Have an iPhone and ready to give it a whirl.
Count me in, I’m feeling lucky!
It’s look very interesting. I would love to have it. I am Interested.
I can hardly wait to use PhotoPills!!!!
Michael
i am very interested to discover Photopills , sounds great 🙂
Would love to have Photopills
Hello. Would love to try PhotoPills.
Thanks for entering everybody, and good luck to you all!
I would love to try photopills.
I am interested to maximise the usage of Photopills。
Definitely interested! Have used other apps for a while but this sounds very good.
Thanks!
Please enter me in the contest to win a copy of PhotoPills. Would it help my chances if I said I’m a big fan of your work? (It’s true even if I don’t win!)
Yes! I would love to add this app to my photo arsenal on my iphone. Thanks.
Sounds like a great app. I’m bound to win, since no one else is entering… [yeah, right…] 🙂
This seems to be more intuitive than TPE. Would love to have it on my iPhone.
I am interested. Sounds like a great app
Hi Michael, I would love to get this app.
I’m interested.
Great app; I’m also interested 🙂
Totally would be interested, great pics by the way, thanks
Would love to try out this app….
Seems very usefull – hope it works in Europe too 🙂
Would love to give it a try. Thanks for the offer.
Interested!
Interested!
It would be helpful out in the Everglades.
I have an iPhone and would like to win a copy. Your moonstruck post got me interested in trying some night photography.
Looks fantastic. Here’s hoping!
I am just learning all the ways an iPhone can be used in photography and PhotoPills would be a great app to add. Thanks for the opportunity to try it.
PhotoPills would be an awesome tool, to help with capturing the moment!
Photopills sound amazing! Me and my iPad Air would love to explore this new App. Count me in!
I would love to win a copy of PhotoPills! Thanks for the chance to win!
Michael,
I would love to win this app. I using my IPhone to type this request. Have an awesome day. Keep shooting.
Jack Kirchert.
WOW, I have often missed the optimal prime time to be behind my camera for the perfect sunrise shot. Sunset maybe a little easier but this app would help assure that I get to that prime location with enough time to setup. I would love to win this app…..
thanks
PhotoPills can be a great benefit to anyone interested in landscape. Thanks for the opportunity.
It sounds amazing. To be able to line up the sun with an object and know exactly when it will happen – fantastic.
I want a chance to win! It looks awesome and extremely helpful!
Amazing tool! Never knew something like this was available until I read last month’s blog about Photographer’s Ephemeris. This is an app I’d love to try.
Sounds great I am interested
Sounds neat. I’d love to have a free copy!
I am interested.
Sounds very good. thanks for the chance to win one.
I would like to try this. Been using another app and i’ts not bad. Looking for something better.
I have been wishing for exactly this app. I would love one for the Ipad as well; glad to see it is being developed.
I would love to have this app. I am more than interested
I’ve thinking about this app. I am in Yosemite about twice a month in winter and would love to give it a try. I have two iPhone 5’s.
I would use PhotoPills to duplicate my luck on Mt. Whitney http://goo.gl/PqMBkI or in Namibia http://goo.gl/fTZStM. “$9.99 app for free” attracts lots of attention. Would reducing the price for a few days would be even more effective?
Thanks for putting this together Michael (and thanks to Rafael). Am an IPhone user.
I’m sure I will get PhotoPills in any case. Thank you for bringing this app to my attention, and please enter my name in the lotery
Thanks Michael, please enter my name.
I would love to have the App PhotoPills.
It would work GREAT for calculations for my photo workshops.
Thank you for offering this.
Bob Fletcher
Sound fantastic. I would love to try the apps. Thank you for your kind offer.
Dori Dumrong
Although I have been using TPE, I would love to try PhotoPills as it looks like a great app.
Would appreciate being able to have this app on my iphone!
I would love to have this on my iPhone!
Would love to win this app. But if I don’t win I will still buy it as it looks quite useful. The sun or moon always add so much to a photo.
Count me in for a Death Valley trip in March.
I would be very interested in PhotoPills app and have an I-Phone
Nice. On my way to Hawaii and this looks like a great aid in addition to The Photographer’s Ephemeris on my IPhone.
Sure would take the guess out of anticipating where the moon will rise. I would appreciate the PhotoPills app as I have an iPhone.
Well after a lengthy comment it lost me saying email incorrect. So I begin again. After posting a comment after a friend sent me your website, knowinging I’m a entire doilies artist.
I noticed the entry. So decided to participate in it even though a great deal of people ahead of me. Anyway I live in the Calistoga Mountains Ca. Where nature and beauty is Un believable. Trees, mountain’s even the dirt roads have there own beauty. On my way in one evening this last summer I saw something I had never seen in my 65 years up here. The sky lookers like it was reaching out, the colors I couldn’t believe. I only had my iPhone so took 3 or 4 photos. They are Magnificant. Not a pro but to me never have I very in all the 1000’s of photos I’ve taken so beautiful. It kept moving in seconds as I shot colors, clouds the moon, all different . Not for this entry but when opportunity I want to take the time to really enjoy your website and learn what I can. I may be repeating myself because I had to reduce this do you sell you prints…..?with my one and only experience with the sky this summer I really want to learn now. This should be shared with so many who are not fortunate enough to live in Gods country. Thank you for your contribution for beauty I definitely am a follower now. Good luck to me out of all this chatter. Second time around hope when I submitted this time it go’s. Noticed someone else with same last name, my mothers maiden name. Tid bit.
I used to just look at the ground. My camera is teaching me to look up.
Thank you for sharing. I would love to try the app.
I am interested. Thanks!
Thank you. I would love to see what this app can do for my photography.
I would like to give it a try, would have to use the other halfs I phone though….
Would love to see how this works. Thanks, Michael!
Sounds very useful. Would love to try it.
I’ve been wanting to try this out. Long time user of TPE!
YEs, I am interested too. But look how many people are ahead of me. Ill try to be in the running though. It looks amazing.. Thank you.
Yes, I am interested Michael!
Would like to win this app; I checked out the website and it looks great. Thanks for the chance!
This app is exactly what I’ve been wanting. Have a few oak trees that I’d like to photograph at sunrise and sunset as well; moonrise would be nice too. This app would fit my needs perfectly.
I’m interested,count me in.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this app. I’ve got the iPhone, now I only need the app.
I’ve been using The Photographer’s Ephemeris for years but I’m always looking for something better. So let me try the app out and convince me! I’ll advertise it on my Facebook page and photo blog if I like it.
Jeez Bill, it’s only ten bucks! In any case, I have nothing to do with the creation of PhotoPills, and don’t have access to codes to get you a free copy. I’d suggest you contact them directly.
I would love to win this app, this is especially helpful since I am planning my first trip to Europe and would like to have some “magic hour” shots for memento. P.S. I own both iPhone and iPads. Thank you very much for considering this entry.
Anita, I’m sorry to say that the deadline for entering this giveaway expired a while ago. 🙁