Freo Graphic

FREO GRAPHIC November 2020 3 Your Guide to Better Sunset Photos Fortunately, these are all mistakes that are easy to rectify with a little planning and patience. To get on the path toward taking better sunset photos, give the following tips a try! Plan the Shot As with all things in photography, your sunset shots will greatly benefit from a healthy dose of planning. Think about where you can setup that will give you a good view of the sun as it tracks across the western sky and dips below the horizon. Find an area that has subjects that will add depth or drama to the shot - landscape elements like mountains and lakes are perfect examples. You’ll also want to keep track of the weather, as it can make or break your shot. Naturally, if it’s a clear night, the sky in your sunset shot might lack a little interest given the lack of clouds. On the other hand, if fog rolls in, you’ll be out of luck. But don’t be dissuaded by clouds or stormy weather because they can add all sorts of drama to a sunset image. Planning should also include getting to your destination well in advance of sunset. Find out when the sun will set and get to your spot at least an hour beforehand. That will give you plenty of time to get set up so when the magic starts to happen, you’ll be ready to press the shutter button. Work the Exposure Experimentation with exposure is key when photographing sunsets. The beauty of a sunset shot is that you can get fantastic results with a variety of exposures, from underexposed to overexposed. This is where planning ahead will help - you’ll be at your destination with plenty of time to experiment with exposure. For as popular as sunsets are to photograph, a lot of beginner photographers have trouble producing images that reflect their beauty. It’s easy to overexpose or underexpose a sunset. The warmth of the sunset’s colours can be lost as well. Details in the foreground might be lost, your images might be blurry, or you might even miss the best vignette by simply not turning around and seeing how the sun’s light illuminates the landscape behind you. Education Extra EDUCATION EXTRA