I will be in Provence on July 18 for about a week, then on to Paris!
In Paris (north) on July 18 the sunrise/sunset is:
Sunrise: 6:05 Sunset: 21:47
and on the 25th:
Sunrise: 6:13 Sunset: 21:39
Given the above times (which are not exact for Provence), what would be a good morning time to arrive and get good shots of the Lavender in Sault/Abbaye de Senanque, etc etc. Obviously too soon after sunrise would be too dark yet. Would 8 AM be perhaps too light/sun too high, do you think? A photographer's rule of thumb is "avoid high sun" - i.e. try for morning or late late afternoon shooting.
Same question for sunset, and, since I don't want to be shooting into the sun, which way is west at the Abbaye? (i.e. should I try for morning, or afternoon photos to avoid shooting into the sun?)
You will want to go in the morning. We were there in early October in the afternoon around 4pm-5pm if I remember correctly. My EXIF time information is off but I do remember it was later in the afternoon. I was really bummed not knowing the way the Abbaye faced. I've attached a photo below and you can tell the sun is behind it.
Also when I was there in Oct 2007, they were removing the lavender plants in front of the Abbaye. I don't know if they replaced these or not. And if they did, if they are blooming size.
You might want to do a search on Flickr and check out how people have photographed the Abbaye and if they included the EXIF info. It may be off as mine was especially any one who does not live in Europe.
I'm going to include two more just so you know a little bit more of the area. The Abbaye is in a valley surrounded by hills North and South. It faces east-ish. The entrance to the Abbaye is just off to the right in the photo above. There is a hedge around the immediate grounds. Walking up toward the entrance and then looking south, there is a large hill to the South. I think the sun would be off to the back of your left shoulder in the morning in this shot.
One more - This is standing up near the Cypresses in the previous pictures looking north. It looks like there are lavender fields to the north. You'd probably want to get over towards this field and shoot south in the morning.
Peter - was the field you saw low in elevation? It may be in bloom at the Abbaye but maybe not higher up at Sault.
I am afraid the lavender fields might not be there any longer by the time you are in Provence. They usually start cutting the flowers in mid to late June...
If you find some fields in bloom, early morning or later afternoon are best. I am sure you will find lots to take pictures of until 9:30 - 10:00 am before the sun gets to strong. As for the evening, I would aim for anytime around 7:00 pm and after.
For the Abbaye, go there in the morning. You will most likely find lots of other photographers waiting for the best light there as well.
I was just up by Sault yesterday and I'd guess we have a good 3 weeks to go before the lavender starts to peak. And it's going to be an amazing year due to all the wet weather we had this winter and early spring.
As for timing - some of the fields will be gorgeous early morning, others later afternoon. Remember most are planted on the slopes of hills which can face every possible direction. For a number of years now we've had a professional art photographer from England staying with us during July and focused exclusively on the lavender. He was up and out each morning at 6AM to photograph, then spend mid-day scouting out locations and then photographing again late afternoon (from 6PM onwards).
This is a photo I took of the Abbaye from above. I took it at 3:22pm. You can see that the Abbey and the not-yet-in-bloom lavender field (taken May 16, 2009) are pretty much in a west-east position. Best to go in the a.m.
Also, I did post some of my Sault photos on the same web site, but need to add a couple of the lavendar fields. Will do so tonight.
Originally posted by Monica Pileggi: This is a photo I took of the Abbaye from above. I took it at 3:22pm. You can see that the Abbey and the not-yet-in-bloom lavender field (taken May 16, 2009) are pretty much in a west-east position. Best to go in the a.m.
Also, I did post some of my Sault photos on the same web site, but need to add a couple of the lavendar fields. Will do so tonight.
Just wanted to point out that the Abbey is actually in a valley which runs almost exactly North-South - the hills are to the East and West of the Abbey. Monica's gorgeous photo is taken facing north-west (closer to the north). You can tell that the "private facade" of the Abbey (where all the windows and arches are) is facing due south.
The problem you can have with photographing the abbey is that the famous side of it (which till last year had the lavender field right in front) faces due north.
At this time of the year, the best time to photograph the front would be late afternoon, certainly not in the morning.
OK, we drove by the lavender fields outside Sault a week ago - no pics, because a few days previously we drove from Vinsorbes over to Valreas - magnificent views just beyond Vinsorbes - original recommendation from Linda Jones. I'm not sure of the best time to take a pic - the one below was taken about noon - sure that's not the best time for light, shadows etc, but it was by far the best visage of lavender fields.
Hey Kevin! How do you pronounce Sault? In Ontario we have a Sault Ste. Marie. The Sault bit is pronounced "Soo".
Originally posted by Monica Pileggi: This is a photo I took of the Abbaye from above. I took it at 3:22pm. You can see that the Abbey and the not-yet-in-bloom lavender field (taken May 16, 2009) are pretty much in a west-east position. Best to go in the a.m.
Also, I did post some of my Sault photos on the same web site, but need to add a couple of the lavendar fields. Will do so tonight.
Originally posted by KevinWidrow: Just wanted to point out that the Abbey is actually in a valley which runs almost exactly North-South - the hills are to the East and West of the Abbey. Monica's gorgeous photo is taken facing north-west (closer to the north). You can tell that the "private facade" of the Abbey (where all the windows and arches are) is facing due south.
The problem you can have with photographing the abbey is that the famous side of it (which till last year had the lavender field right in front) faces due north.
At this time of the year, the best time to photograph the front would be late afternoon, certainly not in the morning.
-Kevin
Hi Kevin, yes you are correct that the valley is pretty much north/south. Beth, do a google map of the abbey and look at the satellite photo to see the position of the abbey and field.
Lavender has never looked better - while the small fields down here in the valley have been harvested - the major ones up on the plateau are in their full glory.
I'm thinking there will still be plenty to see in a few weeks time...
Slow Travel Talk 
