Is my sunset image still too dark

To be honest I prefer the first one. maybe adjust the clarity in the clouds only if anything
 
Cathy, IMHO it is always good to try to get some definition in the sun, by locking the exposure and then re composing the shot
 
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Oh dear! I am such a beginner lol!

Jim thank you it is nice to see a different look to it. Sky maybe a tad too light for me.
Bill do you mean I should point to the sun expose by pressing half way down then take my shot?
Stuart no I don't own any ND filters yet.
 
Seajay said:
Oh dear! I am such a beginner lol!

Bill do you mean I should point to the sun expose by pressing half way down then take my shot?
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Not sure which camera/lens that you have ….. hopefully it is a DSLR as they are "safer" to take shots of the sun than compacts or mirrorless
but you still have to be very careful with your eyes

What I mean is maybe the opposite of what you said - you need to manually work out the exposure needed by taking a few test shots so that the sun is not just a blurred mass

I am not an expert in any way and don't normally take shots of the sun but I took some the other evening and if you look on the following thread you will see what I mean by more definition.

I took readings below and around the sun and then used f8 and above and looked at which gave the best results - it is a bit of "trial and error" but there is advice on the web about taking shots of the sun.
just experiment, be very careful and you will get a good shot

Once you have got the exposure correct you can then play around with highlights, shadow, clarity, whites etc., to "tune" the image - but the sun is so bright that there is not much to play with if you over expose

I'm not an expert so don't take my shots other than an example, plus there is comment on that thread which may help

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/setting-sun.552562/
 
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BillN_33 said:
Not sure which camera/lens that you have ….. hopefully it is a DSLR as they are "safer" to take shots of the sun than compacts or mirrorless
but you still have to be very careful with your eyes



http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/setting-sun.552562/
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Not quite sure where you get your information but a DSLR is the only one of the three cameras you mention that you are actually looking directly through the lens at the sun. BAD ADVICE ALERT!:arghh:
 
Craig20264 said:
Not quite sure where you get your information but a DSLR is the only one of the three cameras you mention that you are actually looking directly through the lens at the sun. BAD ADVICE ALERT!:arghh:
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Oh dear - you should not look directly at the sun through any viewfinder

You should not expose the camera sensor to the sun for anything other than very high shutter speeds - the mirror in a DSLR offers some sensor protection against the sun and the DSLR that I use goes up to 1/8000th sec

Can we have your advice Craig on taking shots of the sun to support your "BAD NEWS ALERT"
 
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Hi Cathy, I'm afraid I can't really help you with your shot, although I kind of specialise in evening/nightshots, as I must admit that I've never been successful with an actual sunset. I've found the secret is to wait a little while until after the sun has set, usually about 30 mins. You then tend to get the wonderful colours in the sky, without having to try and deal with the high contrast of the sunset itself. Alternatively, sometimes there is a much lovelier shot in another direction, away from the sun.
 
It's ok I won't look directly at the sun. I used my canon 700d and I just assessed the whole scene thought the viewfinder. I do see what you mean Bill I will bracket my shots and see how I get on next time.

Melanie good information thank you. I did remember to have a look around and even behind me but there was nothing of any interest.
I will use all the information and try taking some shots after the sun goes down.
Thank you
Cathy
 
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Seajay said:
It's ok I won't look directly at the sun. I used my canon 700d and I just assessed the whole scene thought the viewfinder. I do see what you mean Bill I will bracket my shots and see how I get on next time.

Melanie good information thank you. I did remember to have a look around and even behind me but there was nothing of any interest.
I will use all the information and try taking some shots after the sun goes down.
Thank you
Cathy
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Thanks Cathy, I'd do as much research as you can - sun sets look great in reality but getting them onto an image is not easy - some shots are impossible unless you have specialist equipment
 
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Cathy

Sunsets can have a very high dynamic range, and that can be a problem. You could try using a HDR option to try and get the result you want. I normally do a test exposure to get roughly the exposure I need and then go 2 stops either side.

Having said that I don't think your first sunset is not too bad at all.Besides if you are shooting RAW you could always drag a grad over the lake in post if you want that lighter
 
John thank you :) I have taken some sunsets before but never with this amount of colours it was beautiful.

The image is slightly darker than I remember but the sunset colours in the sky are as near what it actually was on the evening I was there.

However I am close by and will get out and try again I enjoy it even if I don't get it right. I will try all the info given next time I just need a nice evening now :)

This is why this group is so helpful as I do to have anyone to ask.
So thank you all.

Cathy
 
BillN_33 said:
Oh dear - you should not look directly at the sun through any viewfinder

You should not expose the camera sensor to the sun for anything other than very high shutter speeds - the mirror in a DSLR offers some sensor protection against the sun and the DSLR that I use goes up to 1/8000th sec

Can we have your advice Craig on taking shots of the sun to support your "BAD NEWS ALERT"
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I fear I may have misinterpreted your comment and the use of the word "safer" A DSLR is the least safe option for looking at the sun, but reading between the lines of your post ,(as you didn't specifically mention sensors originally), it appears your use of the word "safer" was aimed at sensor protection, rather than eye protection. As for my advice, Liveview is the only obvious answer for eye health.
 
Craig20264 said:
. As for my advice, Liveview is the only obvious answer for eye health.
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have you taken any shots of the sun?

eye health cannot be protected with anything that a camera, per se, has inbuilt

Liveview is NOT what you should use when taking shots of the sun, it is not only the sensor that can be damaged
and a DSLR is safer than a compact when shooting the sun, not the other way around as you suggest

I suggest that if you attempt to take any shots of the sun you get yourself a strong ND filter for the lens, (and therefore sensor), and you wear extremely strong sun glasses …… from what you have said I fear for your health and competence

maybe you should learn to read before you suggest anything

I really do not understand your originally interjection in this thread offering a BAD ADVICE ALERT ……..do you make this stuff up and often give erroneous BAD ADVICE ALERTS!
 
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BillN_33 said:
have you taken any shots of the sun?

eye health cannot be protected with anything that a camera, per se has

Liveview is NOT what you should use when taking shots of the sun

do you make this stuff up and often give BAD ADVICE ALERTS!
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I don't quite follow you train of thought I'm afraid. Using Liveview on a DSLR is the only alternative to looking through the lens when pointing at the sun, and is not going to damage your eyesight, admittedly, it's not going to do your sensor much good, but your eyes remain safe. I also never sited a camera as a means of eye protection.
To answer your question, I have indeed taken many shots of the sun, and my sensor remains intact. I'm afraid that's more than I can say for my right eye, which was removed eighteen months ago due to a malignant melanoma, (cancer in case you are struggling ) caused by sunlight, so yes I know a thing or two about the dangers of the big orange ball.
 
this is new and a cost effective way, (only one) - if you want to view the sun and go on to take images of it ……. but it is not the only way if you want to use a compact camera/telescope/digiscope ……. but you have to be very careful

http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/sofi_start_e.htm

I have not tried it yet but I am planning to - mainly to view the sun ….. not take images of it

The traditional way is by using lens filters to protect internal parts of the camera, not only the sensor

Normal sun glasses are no good for all but the a very very brief period of time

I am not a regular Canon user, but I have used Canon Cameras and still have one, I think it even mentions in their Handbook not to use Liveview to view the sun

Anyway, let's just forget it
 
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