Sunsets...

kalindafarmer · Nov 9, 2005

I was just wondering if anyone could give me any tips on how to take a really good picture of a sunset. I have tried many times but something is always wrong when I finally see the picture...

KMac · Nov 9, 2005

There are lots of ways to do it but this may help:

1. Use a long lens to crop out parts of the sky that are not colourful.
2. Spot meter next to the sun. i.e. do not include the sun in the part of the sky that you meter from.
3. Dont trust your local minilab to make a great print with their default colour balance settings.
4. Dont forget to turn around and photograph things on the land that are bathed in that great red orange light.

I hope this helps,
Kevin

Alexandra · Nov 9, 2005

yeah, what KMac said's right, particularily #3!!!
But if you're using digital, check if there's a specific mode for sunsets. It's available on many cameras, actually i have it on mine, and it really works!
Also, check your film's ISO!
Btw, welcome to TPF!

craig · Nov 10, 2005

Keep in mind that film and digi can only record a fraction of what the mind and eyeballs can see. A slow ISO (Near 50) transparency film will help. Try a tripod. Of course the sun is just a huge hot spot. Be careful when including it in the frame.

SLOShooter · Nov 10, 2005

Tripod helps a lot.

Watch the sky for a while and determine what conditions make for good sunsets then when you see those conditions again BEFORE the sunset, roll out to your favorite spot and setup. Take shots during the entire sunset and remember to hang around untill it's totally dark. Some of the best colors come out after the sun is below the horizon.

voodoocat · Nov 10, 2005

4. Dont forget to turn around and photograph things on the land that are bathed in that great red orange light.

Quoted for truth. As newbies we are always fascinated by the beautiful colors in the sky and forget that those colors are lighting the landscape.

Pau1 · Sep 9, 2011

I seem to have a problem with the white balance when I shoot sunsets. I wonder if I shoot RAW if I can fix that.

GeorgieGirl · Sep 9, 2011

Yupper!

ann · Sep 9, 2011

Try cloudy or shady with your white balance, that will certainly help with the warmth.

JC1305US · Sep 9, 2011

Pau1 said:
I seem to have a problem with the white balance when I shoot sunsets. I wonder if I shoot RAW if I can fix that.

RAW is the only way to shoot. You have much more creative control on the computer esp. with color balance

Compaq · Sep 9, 2011

ann said:
Try cloudy or shady with your white balance, that will certainly help with the warmth.

Shoot RAW and leave the WB on auto. Adjust it in camera RAW when on the computer. Add warmth or whatever you want. RAW rawcks! LOL

(omg, that one was good!)

analog.universe · Sep 10, 2011

Often when doing sunsets I'll use 2 exposures and manually blend them in photoshop, poor man's HDR kinda thing. Expose one for the sky so you have great detail and rich colors in the clouds, and then expose another one for the ground so all your shadows don't get lost. Traditionally this is done with grad ND filters, but that implies that you own grad ND filters, and on top of that they only work really really well when the horizon is a straight line. In photoshop you can make your transition zone any shape you want using a layer mask. Also, when I blend them, I'll usually use "multiply" or "soft light", instead of "normal", as they allow you to pull out some extra detail without it obviously looking like 2 exposures.