bangkokrick Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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,
britmaveric Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Need an SLR camera w/creative filters for the lenses.
bangkokrick Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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.
elcent Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 you can add filters with photoshop or other programs.
eurasianthai Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Well, Photoshop is VERY expensive. If you're not a professional photographer, not worth it.
britmaveric Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 ^trip to Pantip will sort out the cost.
bangkokrick Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 ^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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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.
bobo42 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 ^trip to Pantip will sort out the cost. Come on, Brit
bobo42 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 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 ***
bangkokrick Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 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 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 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
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