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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Need a few last minute tip for sunset/sunrise pics
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05/07/2011 02:18:05 AM · #1
So Im leaving for Maui tomorrow morning, and I need some tips on taking good sunset/sunrise photos. Im not sure how long to expose for, for the most part. I know that to keep everything in focus, I need a small aperture, and I plan on using ISO 100 or 200, but what do I do for the exposure time? Ive always just guestimated, and its been hit or miss.

05/07/2011 02:35:00 AM · #2
Well, your exposure is determined by three things...Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed. So, in your case if you choose a small aperture to get the best depth of field (DOF) and you have your ISO set on a low setting in Av mode (aperture priority) the camera will set the shutter speed for your exposure.

Once thing that is very helpful in obtaining nicely exposed sunrises and sunsets with details is the use of a Graduated Neutral Density filter that attaches to a coupling ring and filter holder on your lens (not the circular filters). With this you can drop the brightness of the sky which will even out the exposure of both the ground and the sky. You would want to use a tripod in that case.

Dave
05/07/2011 02:47:11 AM · #3
Yeah, ideally you either need to use a grad filter or bracket your exposures and combine them in post for essentially the same effect. If you do bracketing, make sure you get a capture that holds highlights. At least on my Nikon the reds and oranges blow SUPER easy.
05/07/2011 02:48:18 AM · #4
Ok, I guess that makes sense. One more thing, where would be the best point to meter off of? Ie// clounds in the distance, or the foreground?
05/07/2011 02:48:52 AM · #5
HDR would probably work good for sunrises/sunsets right?
05/07/2011 03:00:55 AM · #6
Originally posted by kawana:

HDR would probably work good for sunrises/sunsets right?


Yeah, that's what I'm getting at.
I'll spot meter for the lightest, take a shot, spot for darkest, take a shot and then fill in the gaps as needed. If I'm feeling lazy I'll just bracket 9 exposures with 1EV spacing, particularly if I don't have my tripod, since I can just fire them off and suffer minimal frame movement. Canon bracketing works different though, you can do fewer exposures but with greater EV difference between them. Make sure you don't have a gap in the middle of your darkest and lightest exposures that exceeds the dynamic range of your sensor.
Lazy 9 exposure bracket
Light + Dark + Middle spot meter

Otherwise, the grad nd is your other option. Either way you need to close the variance in exposure from the light to the dark, which is typically very high (unless you're okay with silhouettes, then it doesn't matter, just make sure you nail an exposure of the sky).
You could also do a single exposure RAW hdr, where you +1 -1 it, but I wouldn't be surprised if you need more range than that.If you do that, you'll have to meter off of something that is as close to the center of the exposure as possible.

ETA: If you're shooting with your Sigma, be ready for those -EV comp exposures to take a gooood deal of time.

Message edited by author 2011-05-07 03:24:23.
05/07/2011 03:17:25 AM · #7
Remember to use your tripod, or set the camera down and use the timer because your best shots of sun sets are after the sun goes down, after it seems the camera will see much more than you do. Some of my favorite shots are in the gloaming, to the eye it looks way too dark, to the camera it looks like rich colors and nice even tones without the extremes when the sun is still up.
05/07/2011 03:21:02 AM · #8
Shooting sunrises and sunsets takes a little experimenting and normally involves using spot metering or at the very least center weighed average metering. You don't want to exposure on clouds because if they are very white it will push your exposure too dark. If you are shooting a very early sunrise where the sun is not quite up yet or just barely the foreground will be pretty dark so exposing for that will push your sky too bright in most cases. If you are going to shoot a single shot you want to set your camera to spot metering and take a reading on an area of the sky that does not include the sun, but near where it will be when you recompose to include it. Pick a nice medium tone patch and then press the exposure lock on your camera, recompose and shoot. If it's really early light or really late light you can get mostly silhouettes so since the DOF won't really be a concern shooting at an aperture of f/8 or f/11 would be perfect. If it's light enough in the foreground to get some detail then shoot with the smaller aperture. You should also experiment with your camera profiles using either daylight, cloudy or shade. If you shoot using cloudy your photo will warm up more than daylight and bring out the reds, yellows and oranges more. If you really want that kind of hot steamy Africa Lion King kind of scene (especially with when you are getting silhouettes set your camera to shade and you'll get blazing orange sunsets. :)

To get richer colors try adjusting your exposure compensation down -1/3 stop to -2/3 stops to add more contrast and make the colors pop more.

As Derek mentions...HDR is always an option as well.

It takes some trial and error, but that's half the fun and you'll get the hang of it.

Dave
05/07/2011 02:31:24 PM · #9
Originally posted by DCNUTTER:

To get richer colors try adjusting your exposure compensation down -1/3 stop to -2/3 stops to add more contrast and make the colors pop more.

It takes some trial and error, but that's half the fun and you'll get the hang of it.

Dave

I agree, I find to get good color and avoid blowing highlights I have to underexpose by a stop or so from whatever the camera meters. I then heighten the contrast and push the colors using Curves.

05/07/2011 04:28:49 PM · #10
Here's a tutorial I wrote on how I shot and prepared this. Maybe helpful.

All These Worlds Are Yours
05/07/2011 06:06:28 PM · #11
Shoot in RAW if you don't already. That will give you more play in processing. And HDR is a great tip but if you dont want all that you can always just meter the sky and foreground separately and combine those two with layers in PS. Look for interesting foregrounds to use as well. Have fun and dont forget to actually enjoy the sunrise/sunset while you are shooting.
05/07/2011 06:12:22 PM · #12
If you have ND's or GND's and are next to the ocean, try slapping them on for some sunrise/sunset seascapes. You can also use the GND filters to help with bright light to keep your foreground nicely lit. Good luck and have fun! :D
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