How to shoot the Sinking Sun

Discussion in 'Photography Beginners' Forum' started by norris_watkins, Jul 16, 2008.

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  1. Jul 16, 2008 #1
    norris_watkins

    norris_watkins TPF Noob!

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    I tried without muc result to take a picture of teh Sinking Evening Sun.
    No matter what I did, the resulting picture was not as vivid as the ones I ve seen. It looked very plain even compared to looking at the scene with my eyes. ( The richness of color was simply missing )
    Am I supposed to use filters ?
    When I tried to use, long exposures, I evnded up getting washed out pictures.
    Any ideas ?
    --nw


     
  2. Jul 16, 2008 #2
    Big Mike

    Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Staff Member Supporting Member

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    You can't really compare what the human eye sees to what a camera is capable of doing. Our eyes are constantly moving and adjusting, so our brain can take in a whole scene with drastically different tones. A camera only captures the photo at a specific exposure. If you set the exposure for the bright sun/sky...then the rest of the image will probably be very dark. If you set the exposure for the darker areas, then the bright areas will get blown out.

    It's a balancing act that photographers fight with all the time. But if you have an idea of what you want and what your limits are, it should be easier to get there.

    There are things you can do to help. A split or gradient filter can help to even out the exposure, or you can take multiple exposures at different levels and combine them with software.
     
  3. Jul 16, 2008 #3
    Easy_Target

    Easy_Target TPF Noob!

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    I thought the camera manufacturers advised us not to aim the camera at the sun as it would damage the sensor?
     
  4. Jul 16, 2008 #4
    Big Mike

    Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Staff Member Supporting Member

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    It would probably damage your eyes before damaging the sensor.
     
  5. Jul 16, 2008 #5
    Computer_Generated

    Computer_Generated TPF Noob!

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    Agree, can't really add much... as I've only taken a handful of these types of pictures, I usually do like a 5 stop bracket, pick the best or like it was already mentioned combine with software.
     
  6. Jul 16, 2008 #6
    Big Mike

    Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Good point...I forgot to mention bracketing.

    For shooting something like sunset/sunrise....different exposure levels can give you dramatically different results. So take a handful of shots with different exposures and then you can choose the best ones later.

    This just reminded me that I took a whole bunch of sunset photos while camping, earlier this month. I haven't even off loaded the card yet.
     
  7. Jul 16, 2008 #7
    Joves

    Joves No longer a newbie, moving up!

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    You can also use filters. A graduated Neutral Densitiy is great for it or, try a Circular Polarizer. The graduated filter is the best choice though.
     
  8. Jul 17, 2008 #8
    kcon

    kcon TPF Noob!

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    i remember reading when photographing sunsets it helps to underexpose the image slightly, this will make the oranges more vivid and less washed out
     
  9. Jul 17, 2008 #9
    Ron Evers

    Ron Evers Been spending a lot of time on here!

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    This is the first sunset of 2008, taken from our carport. Unfortunately I lost the original & only have the small version. :-x


    [​IMG]
     
  10. Jul 17, 2008 #10
    norris_watkins

    norris_watkins TPF Noob!

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    Ron Evers :
    That is a great picture. If you still have the exif data, could you post the lens/time/exposure/iso as well as whether you used a filter or not

    --nw
     
  11. Jul 17, 2008 #11
    dEARlEADER

    dEARlEADER TPF Noob!

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    in case Ron doesn't return to the thread his exif


    Camera Make: NIKON
    Camera Model: E2100
    Image Date: 2008:01:01 22:48:25
    Flash Used: Yes (Auto)
    Focal Length: 4.7mm (35mm equivalent: 36mm)
    Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30)
    Aperture: f/2.6
    ISO equiv: 126
    White Balance: Auto
    Metering Mode: Matrix
    Exposure: program (Auto)

    It is a nice shot..


    OP - I'll second the use to 2 or 4 stop ND grads for setting suns... that is if you interested in exposing the foreground...
     
  12. Jul 17, 2008 #12
    Ron Evers

    Ron Evers Been spending a lot of time on here!

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    Thanks for that dEARlEADER. I was trying to copy that from my picture but I could only highlight one line @ a time to copy.

    The camera is a pocket type point & shoot. My wife called me to the door & asked me to take a picture.
     
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