Sunsets - Tips

Gaz. · Feb 21, 2009

I can't get a decent capture of sunsets. None of the colours show up like they do in the sky and lots of bits are blown out.

I've tried different ISO settings, exposure compensation, different apertures ( I was shooting in aperture priority). The efforts are pure shite TBH, too ashamed to post them, just imagine a crap sunset pic. I did have the camera stabilised.

Any tips?

Ian · Feb 21, 2009

Take your meter reading off the sky, but a little bit away from the sun. Use a low aperture / high f-stop.

If you want to keep detail in something in the foreground move in close to it and take a meter reading and then move back and recompose.

Think that should do the job.

Gaz. · Feb 21, 2009

IanFlaherty said:
Take your meter reading off the sky, but a little bit away from the sun. Use a low aperture / high f-stop.

If you want to keep detail in something in the foreground move in close to it and take a meter reading and then move back and recompose.

Think that should do the job.

Meter reading? All I have is a little exposure bar on the D40.

Ian · Feb 21, 2009

Erm, bit awkard to explain.. when you half depress the shutter button and it focuses, the camera also takes a light reading, which is what you see on the exposure bar.

I was a bit presumptuous as I don't know if the D40 has this feature, but on my Canon there's an Exposure Lock button (or A-EL or something like that for short). You half depress the shutter to take the light reading, press the exposure lock button and then recompose. The camera keeps the original light reading but allows you to refocus the shot.

If it doesn't have this feature I imagine you will be ok as for a sunset shot with no foreground subject both the sky and the sun will be at infinity so you wouldn't need to re-focus anyway.

Hope this makes sense!

Gaz. · Feb 21, 2009

Fair enough. I've never really tried a sunset shot before anyway TBH. Not one with lots of reds and purples.

Andy_con · Feb 21, 2009

d60 on auto

Ian · Feb 21, 2009

Just keep trying pal. A few days ago I wouldn't have known what to say, but I've been reading up a lot on techniques recently. What I've told you is mostly theory, I've seen it work for other people, but only had limited tries myself!

Post some shots up when you feel happier with them, wouldn't mind seeing them.

Gaz. · Feb 21, 2009

IanFlaherty said:
Just keep trying pal. A few days ago I wouldn't have known what to say, but I've been reading up a lot on techniques recently. What I've told you is mostly theory, I've seen it work for other people, but only had limited tries myself!

Post some shots up when you feel happier with them, wouldn't mind seeing them.

I'll have to try again next weekend (away all week, and take enough s**t with me without taking camera too lol)

Oh and andy, auto is for cheats

Ian · Feb 21, 2009

Took this about half an hour ago, SOOC apart from a crop and the border. Couldn't see the sun from where I was sat, so the colours aren't that dramatic and it slightly misses the point of the thread, but hopefully it gives you something to go off. Gotta say I like those shots taken on Auto, Andy!

ISO 200 | f/22 | 20s | 50mm | AWB

If I had time to take the shot again I'd probably try it a a slightly wider aperture.. but the sun has disappeared now!

Sure I've seen some good shots out of your window on Flickr, Gaz? Were they not sunset shots?

Gaz. · Feb 21, 2009

Not flickring these uns lol

I'm just mightily disappointed, the colours were much better to the eye.

yeah I do have some out of my window at around dusk time.

unofficialPete · Feb 21, 2009

Edit: to slow!

DSLR's take flat pictures unless you change the settings for sharpness, contrast etc in camera. Stick them in photoshop, up the contrast a little and they'll look less flat instantly.

Soph · Feb 21, 2009

BluePete said:
Examples would help a lot, also what camera body?

Posting on soph's account, stupid 5 post limit.

See above matey.

Ian - previous ones from ages ago you've seen on flickr below

Ian · Feb 21, 2009

Hmm not sure tbh, only things I can suggest is that maybe your white balance is off and the sky could be a bit overexposed, so the colours are washing out a bit. I thought the tree was blurred due to movement but they are only short exposures, so maybe next time try focusing on that after taking the light reading from the sky?

A longer exposure leaves more time for light to enter so the colours will be more vibrant. Like you see in mine though you get cloud movement as a consequence and a lack of sharpness on the leaves. I reckon about f/16 would work best.

Having said all that though, I like them, they're on the way to being canvas-on-the-wall type shots!

Edit: That bottom one I love! Think it's probably the one I commented on.

Soph · Feb 21, 2009

BluePete said:
Edit: to slow!

DSLR's take flat pictures unless you change the settings for sharpness, contrast etc in camera. Stick them in photoshop, up the contrast a little and they'll look less flat instantly.

I've been playing with them in Adobe Camera Raw, but I still can't get them looking anything like it did in reality. Wish the D40 had exposure bracketing...

Soph · Feb 21, 2009

IanFlaherty said:
Hmm not sure tbh, only things I can suggest is that maybe your white balance is off and the sky could be a bit overexposed, so the colours are washing out a bit. I thought the tree was blurred due to movement but they are only short exposures, so maybe next time try focusing on that?

A longer exposure leaves more time for light to enter so the colours will be more vibrant. Like you see in mine though you get cloud movement as a consequence and a lack of sharpness on the leaves. I reckon about f/16 would work best.

Having said all that though, I like them, they're on the way to being canvas-on-the-wall type shots!

Edit: That bottom one I love! Think it's probably the one I commented on.

It was windy TBH.

Aye you have commented on that one

Ian · Feb 21, 2009

sophance said:
It was windy TBH.

Aye you have commented on that one

:approve:

Alex H · Feb 21, 2009

Lol - didn't even see this thread

Some good pics from all though!!

Soph · Feb 21, 2009

rednax86 said:
Lol - didn't even see this thread

Some good pics from all though!!

I did chuckle when you posted your sunset thread

Soph · Feb 27, 2009

Some follow up shots from gaz;

These first four were from saturday, just somehow got overlooked.

These 2 were from tonight. He's also bought "understanding exposure".

Andi-B · Mar 2, 2009

As said, make sure you haven't got the sun directly in the middle, minimises glare. For sunset shots I used either ISO200 or 400 depending on my mood, I seem to get better shots from ISO200 for things like this.

Examples of glare
ISO200 at 1/500 sec shutter speed at 55mm - f11