How to Capture Spectacular Sunsets

Sunsets are a favorite for many photographers. Sunset photography can be captured from just about anywhere, and can be a lot of fun with a little planning. Sunset photography can be challenging, but doesn’t have to be. Here’s some tips to help you capture some amazing sunset photos.

Planning for a Sunset

If you want to capture beautiful sunset photographs, you need to do a little planning.

• Scout and research your location in advance, and look for various points of interest to shoot. Give yourself plenty of time to evaluate the setting. Take some test shots with your cell phone for potential composition options.
• Sunsets don’t last very long, so leave yourself enough time. Check what time the sun sets, and give yourself plenty of time to set up. Download a good sunrise/sunset app for your phone that will give you a calendar of sunrise and sunset times.
• Check the weather. Different types of weather will result in some pretty spectacular images. Cloudy skies can be quite magical, and create some dramatic backdrops.

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What Kind of Gear You Need for Sunset Photography

• Tripod – Shooting sunsets with a handheld camera is difficult. Sunset photography generally requires slower shutter speeds, so a tripod can be a great help with changing lighting conditions, plus it will keep your camera stable. Low lighting creates a higher risk of camera shake.
• Wide Angle Lens – This lens is normally used for sunset and landscape photos. A good starting point is a focal length range of 14 mm to about 24 mm.
• Remote Shutter Release – Using a remote shutter release means you don’t have to touch your camera to trigger the shutter, which greatly reduces the risk of camera shake. When shooting with slower shutter speeds, the slightest movement can spoil the shot.
• Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter – Use this filter to boost the dynamic range in a sunset shot. An ND graduated filter goes from dark to light. It allows the sky to be darkened, while letting the camera get enough light to properly expose the rest of the landscape.

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Settings to use for Sunset Photography

• ISO – To create the highest quality image, use the lowest ISO possible.
• Aperture – To keep things in focus, use F/11 – F/16.
• Shutter Speed – This will depend on the type of image you want to create. If you want to show movement, use a slower shutter speed. If you want everything sharp, use a faster shutter speed.
• Manual Focus – Some cameras can have trouble focusing in difficult lighting conditions, so you may have to come out of Auto Focus. Switch over to Manual Focus if you want your images sharp.
• White Balance – Your camera will try to “correct” the vibrant colors of a sunset when set in Auto White Balance Mode. It usually ends up producing colors that are very dull. Try manually changing the White Balance or switching to Cloudy or Shade White Balance Setting to warm up the colors.
• RAW vs Jpeg – To preserve all the shadow and highlight details in sunset photos, you might want to consider shooting in RAW.
• Bracket Your Shots – Use your Auto Exposure Bracketing to create multiple shots of the same subject with different exposure increments.

Composition

• Find a Focal Point: Using a strong focal point can create intriguing images. Silhouettes, rocks, trees, mountains, and the sun itself, can all serve as interesting focal points.
• Rule of Thirds – Create a well balanced image by using the Rule of Thirds. Avoid putting the horizon smack in the middle. That goes for your focal points as well. Set them off toward the side.
• Foreground – Don’t forget the foreground. It adds depth, and a sense of scale to your images.

Conclusion

Get out your camera, and try some of these tips. Take the time to practice different techniques. Experiment with different settings, and you’ll soon be creating your own set of stunning spectacular sunset photos.