Photons do not gain speed when falling toward Earth; their speed remains constant at c, even in a gravitational field. However, as they fall, they gain energy, which manifests as an increase in frequency rather than speed. Observers on Earth may perceive the photon as traveling faster due to time dilation effects and clock synchronization issues, but this is an illusion caused by their local frame of reference. The Schwarzschild solution indicates that the coordinate speed of light appears to slow down as it approaches a massive body, affecting measurements taken from different altitudes. Ultimately, while the speed of light is constant, its energy and frequency can change in a gravitational field, leading to complex discussions about measurement and observation in general relativity.