Photographing Sunset With Digital Camera

[bangkokrick]

Hi all.

I like to photograph sunsets and just lately they have been fantastic to see over Jomtien. The problem is that they look great to the eye, but when I take the pictures they are not very impressive. Sometimes the sun seems to be missing from the pictures or is just showing as a white ball rather that the red colour. Does anyone have any tips on how to take a good sunset picture.

I have a Sony Cybershot 6 Mega pixels.

Cheers, Rick

[SeanMoran]

Take five shots, starting with the Sun at the very side of lense, and then 45 degrees, and then centre but move the focus down to the landscape, and then two more shots so that you get the whole spectrum. You can easily photoshop your pics into one award winner,

Edited February 16, 2010 by SeanMoran

[britmaveric]

Need an SLR camera w/creative filters for the lenses.

[bangkokrick]

Take five shots, starting with the Sun at the very side of lense, and then 45 degrees, and then centre but move the focus down to the landscape, and then two more shots so that you get the whole spectrum. You can easily photoshop your pics into one award winner,

Thanks Sean I will give it a try.

Cheers, Rick

[bangkokrick]

Need an SLR camera w/creative filters for the lenses.

ah! so maybe my camera is not up to the job Brit.

Cheers, Rick

[eurasianthai]

Unfortunately, cameras can't process big differences in brightness like your eyes (brain) can.

So having a very bright "subject" (the sun) in a not so bright environment requires a lot of computer post-processing, whatever the camera.

Edited February 16, 2010 by eurasianthai

[elcent]

you can add filters with photoshop or other programs.

[eurasianthai]

Well, Photoshop is VERY expensive.

If you're not a professional photographer, not worth it.

[britmaveric]

^trip to Pantip will sort out the cost.

[bangkokrick]

^trip to Pantip will sort out the cost.

I have Photoshop already due to the aforementioned trip to Pantip. I just think that using it is a bit of a cheat and would rather try to take original photos, unlike my copy of Photoshop.

Cheers, rick

[britmaveric]

Personally never taken really good photos with digital! Now my film SLR, took absolutely stunning pics especially using creative filters on the lenses. Mind you haven't really used it 10+ yrs when I did a island hopping tour in the Greece.

Edited February 16, 2010 by britmaveric

[bobo42]

I would guess that it's just a case of incorrect exposure. I had a small point and shoot cybershot (5mp, as I recall) for a few years, and I was able to get decent sunsets, you don't have to photoshop. You probably can't get good results using the camera's default (or auto) metering settings.

An quick and easy thing to try is to put your camera in spot-meter mode (the mode where only the very center of the frame is used for metering, usually displayed as a single dot). Then point your camera so that the very center of the frame is on the colored sky, but so that the sun is either out of frame, or near the edge of the frame. Push the shutter button halfway for focus and metering, then - keeping the shutter pushed halfway - frame up your sunset the way you want it and click the shutter button down to snap the pic. Try this method metering on different points (distances from the sun) for varying results.

For this to work, you'll have to make sure your camera has an exposure-lock feature that is turned on. Usually this is engaged on the half-shutter press, but some cameras have a separate button, and on some models you may have to turn-on this feature in the menu.

Also try setting your white balance to daylight instead of auto, and maybe even manually setting the ISO to one of the lower settings (maybe like 200, depends on the cam) instead of auto.

Hope this helps you.

[eurasianthai]

^trip to Pantip will sort out the cost.

Come on, Brit

[bobo42]

I just thought - I probably told you to meter on the wrong place. Try putting the center of the frame directly on the sun (or brightest spot in the sky) first, lock the meter (half-press), then frame up and snap. Then try the same process moving progressively farther from the sun for the metering step until you get the exposure you want.

Also, turn off the flash unless you want your foreground illuminated.

[bangkokrick]

I would guess that it's just a case of incorrect exposure. I had a small point and shoot cybershot (5mp, as I recall) for a few years, and I was able to get decent sunsets, you don't have to photoshop. You probably can't get good results using the camera's default (or auto) metering settings.

An quick and easy thing to try is to put your camera in spot-meter mode (the mode where only the very center of the frame is used for metering, usually displayed as a single dot). Then point your camera so that the very center of the frame is on the colored sky, but so that the sun is either out of frame, or near the edge of the frame. Push the shutter button halfway for focus and metering, then - keeping the shutter pushed halfway - frame up your sunset the way you want it and click the shutter button down to snap the pic. Try this method metering on different points (distances from the sun) for varying results.

For this to work, you'll have to make sure your camera has an exposure-lock feature that is turned on. Usually this is engaged on the half-shutter press, but some cameras have a separate button, and on some models you may have to turn-on this feature in the menu.

Also try setting your white balance to daylight instead of auto, and maybe even manually setting the ISO to one of the lower settings (maybe like 200, depends on the cam) instead of auto.

Hope this helps you.

Sounds like great advice Bobo. Thanks for taking the time to reply with a clear explanation. I will try out your suggestions tomorrow.

Cheers, Rick

[SeanMoran]

When I mentioned photoshop, I was speaking colloquially like betamax. Anyone with half a brain would know I mean GIMP, unless you have money to burn.

[wrazoru]

If your sun is a white ball, then the image is burned out. Anytime you have the white out problem, it means that the exposure needs to be lowered.

In particular with digital cameras, burn outs are tragic as there's no way to get any details out from it even with photoshop.

Use your exposure compensation setting & take the same picture with a lower & lower Exposure Compensation value (lowest being -2) until you get it what you are looking for....no more burned out spots.

This method is the same for ALL burn out situations. Just lower the exposure compensation to a suitable value for the same composition.

[tw25rw]

I would say use a wide angle with a high aperture and long exposure time. You can experiment with different EV settings. Sunsets are slow moving enough to take plenty of shots. Would probably be a good subject for HDR.

[astral]

IME just let the camera do its thing.

This shot was taken with my old Canon 10D.

No post processing, just a little cropping.

I am amazed at the detail in the shade area.

If you are not happy with your photos, make sure your monitor is properly adjusted

before you blame the camera. Check out Monitor Calibration Wizard.

Originally recommended by The Vulcan

[bangkokrick]

If your sun is a white ball, then the image is burned out. Anytime you have the white out problem, it means that the exposure needs to be lowered.

In particular with digital cameras, burn outs are tragic as there's no way to get any details out from it even with photoshop.

Use your exposure compensation setting & take the same picture with a lower & lower Exposure Compensation value (lowest being -2) until you get it what you are looking for....no more burned out spots.

This method is the same for ALL burn out situations. Just lower the exposure compensation to a suitable value for the same composition.

That's exactly the problem wrazoru.White out. I have taken note of your suggestion and will give it a try.

Thanks, Rick

[bangkokrick]

Thanks for you advice guys. I have found setting on my camera that I did not know existed, due to some of your comments. I will try them out and get back to you.

Cheers, Rick

[sceadugenga]

Sunsets are all about timing, and a little bit of smoke in the air helps as well.

Trying getting up for the sunrise, they can be really spectacular.

I took this sunset with my old digital, a Casio, probably the worst camera I've ever owned.

[bangkokrick]

Sunsets are all about timing, and a little bit of smoke in the air helps as well.

Trying getting up for the sunrise, they can be really spectacular.

I took this sunset with my old digital, a Casio, probably the worst camera I've ever owned.

OK guys with the advice you gave me i got these. What do you think?

Cheers Rick

[bangkokrick]

Sunsets are all about timing, and a little bit of smoke in the air helps as well.

Trying getting up for the sunrise, they can be really spectacular.

I took this sunset with my old digital, a Casio, probably the worst camera I've ever owned.

OK guys with the advice you gave me i got these. What do you think?

Cheers Rick

[SeanMoran]

Sunsets are all about timing, and a little bit of smoke in the air helps as well.

Trying getting up for the sunrise, they can be really spectacular.

I took this sunset with my old digital, a Casio, probably the worst camera I've ever owned.

OK guys with the advice you gave me i got these. What do you think?

Cheers Rick

Suay maak. One thing I failed to warn you about last night too, is that looking directly at the Sun through an SLR lense will cause your eye pain that takes some getting over.

But mama, that's where the fun is ...

*** plays chopsticks on piano ***

Edited February 17, 2010 by SeanMoran

[bangkokrick]

Sunsets are all about timing, and a little bit of smoke in the air helps as well.

Trying getting up for the sunrise, they can be really spectacular.

I took this sunset with my old digital, a Casio, probably the worst camera I've ever owned.

OK guys with the advice you gave me i got these. What do you think?

Cheers Rick

Suay maak. One thing I failed to warn you about last night too, is that looking directly at the Sun through an SLR lense will cause your eye pain that takes some getting over.

But mama, that's where the fun is ...

Thanks Sean, I am so pleased with the results because there is so much more colour in there than before.It's early days yet and i will persevere going forward. Thanks a lot for your advice.

Cheers, R ick

[SeanMoran]

Sunsets are all about timing, and a little bit of smoke in the air helps as well.

Trying getting up for the sunrise, they can be really spectacular.

I took this sunset with my old digital, a Casio, probably the worst camera I've ever owned.

OK guys with the advice you gave me i got these. What do you think?

Cheers Rick

Suay maak. One thing I failed to warn you about last night too, is that looking directly at the Sun through an SLR lense will cause your eye pain that takes some getting over.

But mama, that's where the fun is ...

Thanks Sean, I am so pleased with the results because there is so much more colour in there than before.It's early days yet and i will persevere going forward. Thanks a lot for your advice.

Cheers, R ick

Detone the dictaphone, hit it in its funny bone, that's where they expect it least, and wait while I Yahoo! the song lyrics...

Bruce Springsteen Blinded By The Light Lyrics

Send "Blinded By The Light" Ringtone to your Cell Translation in progress. Please wait...

Madman drummers bummers and indians in the summer with a teenage diplomat

In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat

With a boulder on my shoulder feelin kinda older I tripped the merry-go-round

With this very unpleasing sneezing and wheezing the calliope crashed to the ground

Some all-hot half-shot was headin for the hot spot snappin his fingers clappin his hands

And some fleshpot mascot was tied into a lovers knot with a whatnot in her hand

And now young scott with a slingshot finally found a tender spot and throws his lover in the sand

And some bloodshot forget-menot whispers daddys within earshot save the buckshot turn up the band

And she was blinded by the light. cut loose like a deuce

Another runner in the night. blinded by the light

She got down but she never got tight, but shell make it alright

Some brimstone baritone anticyclone rolling stone preacher from the east

He says: dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in it's funny bone, that's where they expect it least

And some new-mown chaperone was standin in the corner all alone watchin the young girls dance

And some fresh-sown moonstone was messin with his frozen zone to remind him of the feeling of romance

Yeah he was blinded by the light. cut loose like a deuce

Another runner in the night. blinded by the light

He got down but she never got tight, but he's gonna make it tonight

Some silicone sister with her managers mister told me I got what it takes

She said I'll turn you on sonny to something strong if you play that song with the funky break

And go-cart mozart was checkin out the weather chart to see if it was safe to go outside

And little early-pearly came in by her curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride

Oh, some hazard from harvard was skunked on beer playin backyard bombardier

Yes and scotland yard was trying hard, they sent a dude with a calling card,

He said, do what you like, but don't do it here

Well I jumped up, spit in the air, fell on the ground, asked wich was the way back home

He said take a right at the light, keep going straight until right, and then boy you're on your own

And now in zanzibar a shootin star was ridin in a side car hummin a lunar tune

Yes, and the avatar said blow the bar but first remove the cookie jar, were gonna teach those boys to laugh too soon

And some kidnapped handicap was complaining that he caught the clap from some mousetrap he bought last night

Well I unsnapped his skull cap and between his ears I saw a gap but he'd figured he'd be all right

He was just blinded by the light. cut loose like a deuce

Another runner in the night. blinded by the light

Mama always told me not to look into the sights of the sun

Oh but mama that's where the fun is Send "Blinded By The Light" Ringtone to your Cell

Be careful of your eyes with sunset shots.

[bangkokrick]

Will do Sean, but I think you will find that the song was originally by Manfred Man's Earthband. Check it out!

Cheers, Rick

[SeanMoran]

Will do Sean, but I think you will find that the song was originally by Manfred Man's Earthband. Check it out!

Cheers, Rick

Thanks for mentioning that mate. Mannfred Mann covered it but it was actually Springsteen wrote it from the album Greetings from Asbury Park if I recall in '73.

[bangkokrick]

Will do Sean, but I think you will find that the song was originally by Manfred Man's Earthband. Check it out!

Cheers, Rick

Thanks for mentioning that mate. Mannfred Mann covered it but it was actually Springsteen wrote it from the album Greetings from Asbury Park if I recall in '73.

I stand corrected it was indeed Bruce in 1973. I thought it was older than that. Great lyrics anyway!

Cheers Rick