Post by Robin on Sept 24, 2008 13:28:34 GMT -5
Like to know how to shooti sunrises and sunsets? We've all seen the pictures – the sun setting over the ocean or rising through a city skyline. Whether you spend your summer vacation at the beach, camping in the mountains, visiting the city, or just taking a trip to the backyard, sunset and sunrise pictures are essential. But how do you take a great picture that doesn’t look like everyone else’s? Read on…
Be Patient
Sunrises and sunsets are a visual representation of night transitioning to day and vice-versa. The colors are constantly changing; early morning and late evening have the deepest tones, but there is much beauty to be found throughout the entire experience. So be patient, and fire away. Don't be afraid to take dozens or even hundreds of photos during a brilliant sunrise or sunset. You can be a ruthless editor later and narrow it down to the best shot, or you may end up with a lovely series to frame in your house. Keep shooting until it is over, and remember that the camera is capturing colors that your eyes cannot see. Just when you think you have taken the best photo of the bunch, the sky changes, and it gets better.
Personalize Your Photo
Let's be honest – sunrise and sunset pictures are a dime a dozen. The sun may be the single most photographed subject in the history of photography. Some shots are better than others, but it's not necessarily all about the colors. For instance, a beautiful rose colored beach sunset photo is nice, but if you capture your son's face as he witnesses his first beach sunset with the rose colored sky in the background, then you have a stunning personal photo. The same idea goes for family members or other subjects silhouetted against the sunset or sunrise. Maybe you can include a landmark to remember where you were. The point is to use nature's perfect background and make it your own personalized memory.
Saturation is Key During the Peak
Your camera will see the dark foreground and the bright tones of the sky. Therefore, you may be better off underexposing your photo during the peak of a sunrise or sunset so it comes out a bit darker. The colors will be much more vibrant and saturated than a photo overexposed with too much light.
Use a Tripod Early or Late
A tripod can be helpful when shooting sunrises and sunsets, especially very early in the morning or late in the day when the light is just barely visible. Because there is little available light in the shot, you need a longer exposure so the photo does not come out completely dark. A tripod allows you to apply a long exposure to your shot to yield some fantastic tones without any blur. But be careful – a long exposure during the peak of a sunrise or sunset can flush out the photo with too much light, as I mentioned above.