# The Photographer's Ephemeris — user reviews > 372 indexed App Store user reviews of The Photographer's Ephemeris by Crookneck Consulting LLC, rated 4.70/5 from 1,553 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-photographers-ephemeris/id366195670/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-photographers-ephemeris/id366195670.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,325 · 4★ 149 · 3★ 32 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 37 ## What do users think of The Photographer's Ephemeris? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Excellent planning tool - 🌄 Accurate sun/moon tracking - 📍 Useful location-based features - 🔍 Detailed information for photographers - 🎨 Helps create better photos **Cons** - 🤯 Steep learning curve - 🔍 Difficult to use interface - 🔌 Skyfire feature not reliable - 🗺️ Mapping issues in some areas - 🔒 Subscription model for some features **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes when loading TPE-3D - Logout issues with Skyfire subscription - Inaccurate elevation data in some locations **Most requested features** - Add tide information - Improve location saving and syncing - Provide better tutorials and documentation - Integrate with other photography apps - Add support for more regions/countries ## Newest reviews (16 of 372) ### 2/5 — Not happy *2026-08-27, version 4.16* I got this app hoping to predict where the moon will be at a specific time so I can plan moon photography locations in advance. Unfortunately, even while pointing my phone directly at the moon, the app’s predicted position is way off. Very disappointing, especially since I paid for the app. ### 2/5 — Skyfire not working *2025-12-01, version 4.15.1* Skyfire wont work after i updated the app. Yes im subscribed to it. Yes im signed in. Yes its enabled but no skyfire. WTHeck?! Its the only reason i have this app! Im out if its not fixed ### 3/5 — No topographical data for cities or any way to view depth. Image was completely warped *2025-09-24, version 4.15.1* . ### 3/5 — Minor GUI issues *2025-02-11, version 4.15* I’ve used this app before and glad the weather was added. However it is a bit odd that the app will not both center you and show the direction you are pointing without having to engage the compass in the app. Other such apps not only show you where you are but help with the compass direction of an object without having to first locate the moon/sun or app compass (look down). The video help files default to Vimeo, even tho author indicates YouTube available elsewhere. ### 5/5 — Planning *2024-10-18, version 4.15* This AP is great for planning a photo in advance of how to photograph your favorite location. ### 4/5 — Great for Ground Based, Could be improved for drones. *2024-10-13, version 4.15* I got this 2 years ago after I drove to location for a sunset, only to find the sun was setting behind a hill, 15 minutes earlier than I expected, when I arrived. I use it religiously ever since, especially for sunset photos. Love it. I also do drone photography and with is where I think the app can be improved. It would be nice if I could set the red pin height up to 5000 FT AGL. [Note: Anything above 400’ AGL requires an FAA Waiver and a UAS NOTAM.] This would be helpful in two ways. First, for normal sunsets, it helps with the true placement of the drone to the landscape. Second, I like to take inverse sunset videos by starting low at the moment of sunset and climbing vertically cause the sun to rise. This can be tricky to time and a tool that would calculate the angles 50’ to 400’ AGL would assist in calculating start and rate of climb. ### 5/5 — Extremely helpful!! *2024-10-13, version 4.15* I use TPE all the time when I am doing a photo shoot. It has been spot on and and an invaluable tool! ### 5/5 — Good For Photography and More! *2024-09-14, version 4.15* Beyond knowing where the sun/moon will be for photos…see if morning sun will hit your hotel room, or when will the sun move behind you at the ballpark, etc. Use the AR tool to stand in the yard of a potential new home to see if trees would provide useful shade in the summer. Such a tremendous tool! ### 5/5 — Still going! Amazing *2024-09-02, version 4.14.5* I don’t use this app much but when I do, I’m glad it’s still here. When something has been around for this long you know it’s the best. ### 5/5 — Love this app *2024-08-07, version 4.14.5* This app is by far worth the $ that they ask for, has definitely taken my photography skills to the next level by letting me know when and where I need to be for those amazing sunrise and sunset shots! If you contemplating getting this app, don't hesitate just buy it ### 5/5 — Photographer’s best friend *2024-07-23, version 4.14.5* Unbeliavable how the app is kept live and adding functionality after all the years. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Sehr hilfreich. *2024-06-23* Super Tool, wenn man verstanden hat wie es funktioniert. ### 5/5 — One of a kind app for photographers! *2024-06-17, version 4.14.5* I have been using this program for years when shooting professionally as an event photographer. Lets me plan out my photo shoot for the best natural lighting as well as setting up full flash. Now since retired, I use it to plan my astronomy viewing. The latest update is fantastic for this! This app is absolutely worth its cost! ### 5/5 — My favorite app for sun/moon data for photo taking *2024-06-08, version 4.14.5* Been using it now for over 5 years. Nothing beats it. Nothing comes close. Easy to use. And my go to app for all blue hours. Golden hours. Sunrise. Sunset. Moon. Etc. ### 3/5 — Good but *2024-06-01, version 4.14.4* For me it’s good to see where the sun goes up and down etc. The app can’t find all the places I’m looking for even though the places are quite common where I live. Better if you live in America I assume. I can’t email the screenshot/photo and can’t add it on my calendar. I have to do everything manually which was not what I expected. ### 5/5 — A wonderful surprise after many years! Eclipses too! *2024-04-09, version 4.14.4* I've been using TPE for many years now, to do mundane stuff like help people plan weddings so the photos would work. And yesterday I discovered it also predicts eclipses. Beautifully and precisely. Great stuff! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Forced re-purchase *2026-05-29, version 4.15.2* New version is worthless. Old version used to have ray tracing to view the light at various hours. New version has deleted that functionality & forced me to re purchase the app after using the old version for years. ### 1/5 — too complicated *2025-10-17, version 4.15.1* if you use the most basic functions, it’s useful to figure out where the sunrise sunset, moonrise, etc. is happening. And it works great for a while until I accidentally clicked on the wrong button and now I can’t figure out how to get back to the default settings, even after you delete, and reinstall the app. So now it’s useless to me. if there was a way to go back to the default settings, I would’ve given it five stars. ### 1/5 — App subscribed me to Skyfire *2025-08-05, version 4.15.1* I don’t know what happened but I downloaded the app, look at it once, then it subscribed me to Skyfire without my knowledge. Cost me $9.99. ### 1/5 — Keeps crashing *2024-04-07, version 4.14.4* Any time I have TPE open for planning and try to get the info to TPE 3D or transit, it always hangs or crashes. ### 1/5 — Awkward, un intuitive to use *2024-03-04, version 4.13.1* While this may be the go to app it isn’t because it is easy to use. Yes if you use it a lot bla bla bla but what if you dip in and out twice a year. Just frustrating to use. I’ve googled how to save a location, you shouldn’t have to. It needs starting over again. I received a sarcastic reply, but how do I save a location that I’m currently at? Or one I found using the map, Not one I’ve searched for assuming it’s in the database which many places aren’t. ### 1/5 — Skyfire doesn’t work at all *2023-01-23, version 4.11.2* This morning, skyfire has the entire San Francisco area dark orange. Every forecast app shows 0% chance of clouds. How is skyfire saying there is going to be 85+% chance of photogenic clouds when all the forecasts say 0%? In reality there are no clouds this morning, clear skies. This scenario is repeated over and over again. ### 1/5 — Sky fire is NOT included. *2022-09-23, version 4.11.2* Was under the impression for $10 that sky fire was included. It is NOT. It’s another subscription on top of this. I can download sky fire for free on my android tablet and then sign up for the same subscription. Not worth the $10. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t load sky fire even though paid subscription *2022-08-20, version 4.11.2* Speaks for itself ### 1/5 — Robbery that you have to pay £8.99 for this!!! *2022-02-04, version 4.10* If you already have Photopills don’t bother with this. PhotoPills does more and it’s free. The extra stuff like predicting sunrise/sunset, that may be of use that Photopills doesn’t have, you have to subscribe to, they don’t mention that in the description and as such I have asked for my money back. Maybe the 3d version is better but you can’t even pay a little more to upgrade you have to pay another £9.99 for that. ### 1/5 — Elevations *2021-12-05, version 4.10* How are elevations determined? The numbers for various properties are off. In one case the center of a pond is 43' and the adjacent property is the same elevation even though the property land is approximately 10 feet higher. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — An amazingly useful App! *2026-08-17, version 4.6.1* This is my go-to app for planning photo excursions! This helps me figure out ahead of time where to position & orient myself ahead of any event. Thanks for a great app and keeping this up to date!! ### 5/5 — The BEST app!!! *2026-05-19, version 4.15.2* This app is an absolute must have for any Landscape Photographer! The first thing I did after getting familiar with the apps controls was to get on the map and Pin, and save all my favorite places, and places I plan on shooting in the future. That way I can use my ipad offline at any of the locations and still be able to use all the calculators for sunrise and set, and moonrise and set. And also be able to track the stars! You will be able to plan when and where you want to shoot months ahead. ABSOLUTLEY INVALUABLE!!! ### 5/5 — Indispensable for photographers *2026-04-03, version 4.15.2* This is where i plan my locations and consider the incidence of lights, sunset, moonrise times and direction. ### 5/5 — Amazing! *2026-04-01, version 4.15.2* This is an essential App if you want to plan your photographs beyond “f8 and be there.” There’s nothing wrong with going out and finding photos you love by being in the moment and catching your flow. That’s still the majority of my photography by far. BUT if you want to pre-visualize what a location has to offer TPE is an astounding tool. Especially when you’re making a photo trip to unfamiliar areas. It’s also killer for rolling out in the moment to guide you to a shot you feel is possible if only you can look into the future, even if it’s just an hour from now. Get it. You’ll love it. ### 5/5 — Indispensable, unique *2026-01-26, version 4.15.1* J'utilise cette application depuis de nombreuses années pour programmer des séances de shootings; paysages, portraits, heure bleue, dorée en extérieur. Maitriser l'orientation du soleil et des ombres projetées est essentiel en photo. (Photographie => dessiner avec la lumière) Cela permet de programmer le jour et le moment très précis où il faut être sur place à tel endroit. Cet outil est indispensable. Grand merci et bravo au developpeur ### 5/5 — Photographer’sDream *2025-11-25, version 4.15.1* Just what I needed ### 5/5 — También para Arqueologia *2025-11-12, version 4.15.1* Además de su gran valor para fotografía, es útil para comprobar posibles orientaciones astronómicas de monumentos. Seria fantástico que pudiese medir en tiempo en BP o Antes de Cristo para poder utilizarla con megalitísmo. ### 5/5 — The Best *2025-08-15, version 4.15.1* This is the best app for any photographer. Had it for years. As and it never disappoints. ### 5/5 — Super zum Planen von schönen Outdoor Fotos *2025-06-11* Ich verwende die App jetzt schon mehrere Jahre und sie wird nicht unwichtiger. Möchte man den Lichteinfall und die voraussichtliche Lichtfarbe planen, kommt man an der App m.E. nicht vorbei. ### 5/5 — Great History Tool *2025-05-16, version 4.15.1* I only infrequently use this for photography, I mainly use it for find out the position of the moon back in history. I cover the musket wars in NZ about 200 years ago. For any battle or dawn attack it good to know where the moon was, was there a full moon. What time did the moon set, what time did the sun rise…this app provides me with all the answers. If only there was something similar for the tides… I love this app! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-04.*