Shooting Sunsets???

[gryffinwings]

So I've been wanting to get some good sunset shots, not entirely sure which lens I should use, I'm assuming that a lens with good depth of field.

I'm using a tripod, I usually take a bunch of photos with different exposure compensations, I'll be shooting at a low ISO as well, I found ISO 800 was too high and I got a fair bit of ISO grain. Anybody have some tips on getting better sunset shots? Should I use a CPL filter during this time? I assume I shouldn't.

Equipment list is in my signature.

 

[480sparky41 40]

I wouldn't bother with ECs. Just shoot manual and change the shutter speed.

 

[MLeeK]

You are worried about DOF on something that is focused to infinity. What do you need to include in your focus? The beach too? Use a higher aperture. A CPL is going to cut your light coming in somewhat and so is just stopping down your aperture. If you can't get enough DOF with a fast enough shutter then use a tripod.

 

[ann]

Don't use Auto WB, shady or cloudy, check which looks best for you.

 

[Buckster]

If you need more DOF to include foreground objects, look into hyperfocal distancing.

This can help: Online Depth of Field Calculator

 

[gryffinwings]

If you need more DOF to include foreground objects, look into hyperfocal distancing.

This can help: Online Depth of Field Calculator

I'm having trouble understanding how to apply the definition hyperfocal distancing to taking sunset pictures, sense the sunset is in the background isn't the closest thing in focus and apply it using the calculator, could you explain this in a little detail?

@ann - I shoot RAW, so I can change the white balance to whatever I want in post processing.

@Mleek - Thanks for the information.

 

[Buckster]

If you need more DOF to include foreground objects, look into hyperfocal distancing.

This can help: Online Depth of Field Calculator

I'm having trouble understanding how to apply the definition hyperfocal distancing to taking sunset pictures, sense the sunset is in the background isn't the closest thing in focus and apply it using the calculator, could you explain this in a little detail?

Using a particular camera and distance to nearest subject you want in focus, you use the calculator to figure out what aperture you need and then how far away to focus in order to have everything in focus from the nearest object you want in focus all the way out to infinity, which incluldes the sunset.

So, let's just say you're using a Canon 7D with an 18-55mm kit lens on it, and you've got it at 55mm to get the composition you want. There's a rock 15 feet away from you, and you want everything from the rock all the way to the sunset to be in focus. Using the calculator, you use the drop down menus to set the camera to 7D, the focal length to 55mm, and then you look at the hyperfocal graphic image as you try a few different apertures in the drop down. When you get to f/18, you'll see that the hyperfocal graphic images says, "Depth of field extends from 14.65 ft to infinity". That includes your rock that's 15 feet away.

Now then, to achieve that, you'd set the aperture on your camera/55mm lens to f/18 and THEN focus on a point 29.3 feet away from you. Now, how in the world are you going to do that? Well, you could pace it off, put a marker like a stick or stone there, go back to where you were standing, focus on that stick or stone, then take your focus off Auto and set it to manual so it doesn't move. Or you could have a friend pace it off. Or you could use a laser measuring tool or a long tape measure, or any other means you can think of to get that measurement. You get the idea.

Once you have that measurement locked down on your focus, you can then line up your shot again, and you will get everything in focus from the rock all the way to infinity.

Does that help?

 

[gryffinwings]

If you need more DOF to include foreground objects, look into hyperfocal distancing.

This can help: Online Depth of Field Calculator

I'm having trouble understanding how to apply the definition hyperfocal distancing to taking sunset pictures, sense the sunset is in the background isn't the closest thing in focus and apply it using the calculator, could you explain this in a little detail?

Using a particular camera and distance to nearest subject you want in focus, you use the calculator to figure out what aperture you need and then how far away to focus in order to have everything in focus from the nearest object you want in focus all the way out to infinity, which incluldes the sunset.

So, let's just say you're using a Canon 7D with an 18-55mm kit lens on it, and you've got it at 55mm to get the composition you want. There's a rock 15 feet away from you, and you want everything from the rock all the way to the sunset to be in focus. Using the calculator, you use the drop down menus to set the camera to 7D, the focal length to 55mm, and then you look at the hyperfocal graphic image as you try a few different apertures in the drop down. When you get to f/18, you'll see that the hyperfocal graphic images says, "Depth of field extends from
14.65 ft to infinity". That includes your rock that's 15 feet away.

Now then, to achieve that, you'd set the aperture on your camera/55mm lens to f/18 and THEN focus on a point 29.3 feet away from you. Now, how in the world are you going to do that? Well, you could pace it off, put a marker like a stick or stone there, go back to where you were standing, focus on that stick or stone, then take your focus off Auto and set it to manual so it doesn't move. Or you could have a friend pace it off. Or you could use a laser measuring tool or a long tape measure, or any other means you can think of to get that measurement. You get the idea.

Once you have that measurement locked down on your focus, you can then line up your shot again, and you will get everything in focus from the rock all the way to infinity.

Does that help?

That was very helpful, thank you very much. :thumbup:

 

[bratkinson]

So far (two or three times that I can recall in 11 years, now), I've just snapped away at sunsets and "keep the winners". Until this past February or so, I did nearly all my shooting in "Auto", with some Av and Tv 'for kicks'. Nowadays, I shoot mostly in manual and if I don't like what I see from the first try, adjust the settings and try again, and again, ... until I like what I see on the LCD.

But when I shot these two, the first one was with my first digital camera, a Canon G3 point and shoot. I had over 30 years with 35 mm prior to that, and figured it was time to 'stick my foot in the water' of digital. A 2001 trip to Puerto Rico ended up with a nice sunset shot below - probably in 'Auto' mode:

Sunsets - The Photo Forum Photo Gallery

Back in May of '11, I upgraded to a used Canon 30D and an EF-S 18-135 f3.5-5.6 IS and took this one through the lexan window of an Amtrak train in Arizona in August '11. I was still very much in 'Auto' & JPG mode, or maybe "P" back then...

Sunsets - The Photo Forum Photo Gallery

My "plan" for any future sunsets I shoot is try 'auto' first, and see what the camera comes up with...then play with it a bit more in manual mode until I like what I see. That's the great part about digital...no waiting for results!

 

[joshhuntnm]

You are worried about DOF on something that is focused to infinity. What do you need to include in your focus? The beach too? Use a higher aperture. A CPL is going to cut your light coming in somewhat and so is just stopping down your aperture. If you can't get enough DOF with a fast enough shutter then use a tripod.

My thought exactly

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Ektar 100 in the EM, shoot at f/5.6-ish, 1/1000th of a second...You're golden.