Landscape and Sunset shots

[OldRelayer]

I have what I think is a nice camera an 800si with some nice lens and other nice things to help with the process of getting a good picture. My wife with her point and shoot Fuji which I bought for her 25 years ago takes better pictures than I can get with my nice equipment. This just won't do. So any hints I can get will be appreciated. I would love to get some of those great sunset pictures, I think you need filters but that is the extent of my knowledge.

Thanks,
Barry

 

[ann]

Put your white balance function on cloudy for sunsets, or test sunny or shady, all can make a difference.

Also, it would help to post an example.

 

[andrewleephoto]

Shoot manual, shoot manual and PP, always shoot after the sunset I hardly ever shoot the actual sunset nowadays. I always do some long exposures about 10-15 min after sunset. Use rule of thirds, do not blow out the sun, and practice a lot!

Happy shooting!

 

[OldRelayer]

Geeze, finding photos is a trick, I have no idea where they are, like most I have so much film I don't even know what I have. Although I could spend some time over the next week and shoot some and see what I get and post it.

Thanks,
Barry

 

[Desi]

For me, the problem with sunset shots is usually with the camera's light meter. The camera, on the automatic settings, always tries to expose the foreground properly, which leaves the sky over-exposed and dull. Try using a manual exposure and take your meter reading off of the sky. Your foreground will be dark, but the sky will light up. If you don't know how to use manual, then find your exposure lock button. Point the camera at the sky and hit the exposure lock button then take your picture. If you don't do this, the camera will meter on whatever you are pointing it at.

Read Bryan Peterson's "understanding exposure". It has good pictures and a pretty easy to understand explanation of this.

 

[OldRelayer]

Thanks Desi, just the kind of advice I need. I actually do mostly everything manual but the exposure, which is probably a mistake. The camera can be uses in completely manual mode. Will be shooting some this week and when I get a roll I will post the results.

Thanks,
Barry

 

[JMG]

Shoot on a tripod in aperture priority mode and use a high f-stop
Hope that helps!

 

[o hey tyler]

Shoot on a tripod in aperture priority mode and use a high f-stop
Hope that helps!

It doesn't help. It's an old film camera that doesn't have aperture priority. Coupled with the fact that simply "using a high f-stop" will not necessarily make better sunset photos.

 

[OldRelayer]

Thanks guys. It isn't that old, maybe one of the last of the real film cameras. I have to check the manual. I plan on trying anything and seeing what works for me. I do have a couple of nice Tripods. I will let you know.

Thanks,
Barry

 

[o hey tyler]

Thanks guys. It isn't that old, maybe one of the last of the real film cameras. I have to check the manual. I plan on trying anything and seeing what works for me. I do have a couple of nice Tripods. I will let you know.

Thanks,
Barry

There are a ton of more film cameras that have been produced since the K1000, and some that actually do have more modern features that you'd find on a DSLR, like aperture priority. For example, the Canon EOS-3 has aperture, and shutter priority, as well as the failed "depth of field" priority.

What part of Central Maine are you in? I'm in Southern, ME.

 

[OldRelayer]

Thanks, I guess you would call it Central Maine, near Newport north of Waterville a little town called Saint Albans. It is nice and quite for an old couple and pretty safe considering some of the alternatives. I love Maine, we came here from Mass 28 years ago and haven't been sorry for one minute would never go back to the city.

 

[o hey tyler]

Thanks, I guess you would call it Central Maine, near Newport north of Waterville a little town called Saint Albans. It is nice and quite for an old couple and pretty safe considering some of the alternatives. I love Maine, we came here from Mass 28 years ago and haven't been sorry for one minute would never go back to the city.

Ah, I see! I've heard of Saint Albans before. Never been there myself. I'm down in Brunswick. Glad you love Maine as much as I do!

 

[Jesse11]

"Shoot manual,I always do some long exposures about 10-15 min after sunset. Use rule of thirds, do not blow out the sun, and practice a lot!" I ever do it by this with my camera ,it's effective ,you can try it.

 

[OldRelayer]

I dug out the manual, which is very basic and the camera does have aperature priority. I weather hasn't lent itself very well to take an ice shot but as soon as it does, I am going to keep a notebook on what I did for a particular shot and if it worked or does it still need to be refined.

 

[o hey tyler]

I dug out the manual, which is very basic and the camera does have aperature priority. I weather hasn't lent itself very well to take an ice shot but as soon as it does, I am going to keep a notebook on what I did for a particular shot and if it worked or does it still need to be refined.

Is this your camera? Pentax K1000 - PentaxForums.com

I can't find any info on how to put it in "Aperture priority". It doesn't actually look like it has any automatic modes. Huh...