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Posted 2/27/2009 @ 10:00:00 am by photographyblogger.com
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Photographing sunsets is a specialized type of landscape photography. All the rules of landscape photography apply, including the use of a tripod. Sunset photography has some unique challenges. One of the mainstays of sunset photography is to keep the horizon in the lower third of the photograph. Clouds can add a colorful affect to the sunset. A sunset keeps changing as the sun moves toward the horizon, so you will need to keep shooting with different focal lengths and exposures as the colors change and move around the setting sun.
Do not look directly at the sun through your viewfinder, especially if you are using a magnifying lens. The sun is so bright that it can damage your eyes, and a magnifier can increase the amount of eye damage. Using a filter is one way to alter the sun's glare. A magenta filter will enhance the purple hues that occur naturally with a sunset. Because of the brightness of the sun, do not use an automatic exposure. Experiment with using manual exposures to try to capture the sun and surrounding colors. You will notice that, during a sunset, everything around the sun will have a golden glow. Use objects such as trees, fallen branches, or other parts of the landscape in the foreground to add dimension to the photograph. Experiment with the sun slightly to one side of the photograph, rather than in the middle.
Photographing the sea at sunset is considered a seascape, but the principles are the same. Arrive about half an hour before sunset and start shooting as the sun descends into the sea. You may get the opportunity to photograph a sailboat or other image passing in front of the sun. Many beautiful sunsets are taken over the sea.
