It’s hard getting some free time to go out early for a sunrise or late for a sunset. Forget multi day trips, work, school, family, sports…make those rare. Even if you schedule it far in advance will the conditions be good?
That’s why I’ve come up with a system for last minute trips that lets me get in a sunset and sunrise shoot (bonus stars at night if I’m lucky!) without missing work or too many responsibilities at home.
When I have a last minute assignment or suddenly the weather looks amazing I put my speed camping wheels in motion! I pack my bag for photographing the sunset and load up my car with everything else I’ll need to camp and photograph sunrise.
I leave late in the afternoon, maybe an hour early from work or after the kids are home from school. This gives me enough time to drive somewhere for sunset. Traffic is often bad but I’m getting to trailheads when most people are leaving so parking isn’t an issue. I try to choose locations that are less than two miles from parking so I have time to get setup and enjoy the sunset.
After sunset it’s back to the car. I always plan to camp somewhere near my sunrise location. I’m only going to be there a few hours, arriving after dark and leaving before sunrise. I’ll choose a place to sleep either in my SUV or a backcountry dispersed camping location. Leaving no trace, rarely anyone notices I’m there. Also a hammock tent is great for this as you don’t need a flat campsite, any two trees will work.
I think of my car as “base camp”. I pack it with extra clothes, camera gear, camping stove, water, and food. Then only take what I need to a campsite or shoot location.
So I give up some of the camping joys like campfires, s’mores, relaxing in chairs, and sleeping in. But I maximize my photo opportunities and get to enjoy sleeping outside.
Here is what my “Speed Camping” trips typically look like;
Day before - Pack and plan the locations on Google Maps, sunset, camp, and sunrise, including some backup locations. This is where local knowledge, scouting, and research really comes in handy.
4pm - leave home/work
6pm - arrive at a sunset location
Shoot sunset!
Eat a sub sandwich or if going back to my car boil water for a dehydrated meal.
8pm - drive or hike to a sunrise location
9pm - setup camp in the dark
Sleep or get up to photograph the stars!
6am - break camp and grab a quick bite to eat (granola bar, pop tarts)
Shoot sunrise
8am Warm up some coffee and head back home or to work!