Sunset settings

SpikeK6

SpikeK6

Messages
3,546
Name
Spike
Edit My Images
Yes
Here is Guernsey we have some lovely back drops for sunsets, I have never tried this sort of photography before and would like to know what sort of settings I should be looking to use and also is there any filters I might need??

Thanks

spike
 
This was my first ever sunset last week.


Setting Sun by TCR4x4, on Flickr

I used f/22 to get the starburst and metered for the sky above the sun which gave me 0.3 seconds at ISO 200. I had to put some fill light in, on Lightroom to get the foreground a bit brighter. I actually did a 3 frame bracket, cos I wasnt sure which would be best, I used the -1 EV as it looked the best with a little PP.
I had a 9 stop and polariser with me, but didnt use either for this shot.
 
Lens choice just comes down to what you want to include Id suggest, if it’s a long way away you’ll need a long lens . Something like a church spire surrounded by shimmering setting sun,.hmm that sounds cool doesn’t it.
...mostly though you'd want to go wide side, not massively but a wide lens will offer plenty of scope for hyperfocal focusing at almost any f stop. As long as not focusing on anything real close in foreground type thing (as in Toms shot above. Nice. ) .. all distant stuff will be easy to get sharpness otherwise.
 
Last edited:
sorry it is a ND Grad filter, it is quite dark at the top though.

So how is best to use this filter, to get the best results, I got it given to me so think its about time I used it.

spike
 
SpikeK6 said:
sorry it is a ND Grad filter, it is quite dark at the top though.

So how is best to use this filter, to get the best results, I got it given to me so think its about time I used it.

spike
Click to expand...

You want a Reverse ND Grad for sunsets, not a normal ND Grad. Unfortunetly, that's quite expensive unless you take a lot of them...!:shake:
 
SpikeK6 said:
That is a beautyful picture, will keep them settings in mind, did you use a filter at all

I have a ND10 filter I can use, but not really sure how I should be using it.

All help appreciated.

Spike
Click to expand...

Thanks spike , because the setting sun is behind the cloud I didn't need to use any filters . If the sun had of been full in shot I would of needed some kind of filter to stop the sky from blowing .

It's just practise , that is just one of about 70 shots of that sunset with different settings and the fact the light changes all the time .
Some work some don't but that's all part if the fun .
 
Last edited:
Flossie I will have a look at them thaks.
Ok sounds like its the same as the rest of the photography I do, pick a setting take a pic look at it and adjust to suit, trial and error lol, well you know what I mean.

Ok waiting for the next good sunset to happen now.

spike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top