During the last few weeks, we have been enjoying viewing some incredible sunsets. This is by far the best time of the year to view sunsets, as the days are longer, the weather tends to be better, and the skies are clearer. I'm not sure if this applies to others, but watching sunsets has a real calming effect on me and always helps to put a smile on my face. The magnificent beauty, the amazing colours, and the tranquil atmosphere all help to increase one's mood. Noticing the positive impact sunsets have on my overall state of mind led me to want images of them in my home. It was, therefore, time to take some photos of these wonderful sunsets.
How to take photographs of sunsets
Preparation, as with most things in life, is the key to taking the best sunset photography shots. Arriving early at where you plan to view the sunset from enables you to pick the ideal position to sit or stand, set up any camera equipment you have, and adjust the camera settings. It also enables you to view and enjoy "the golden hour" glow before the sun dips.
With regards to the camera settings and the ISO (the ISO controls the amount of light your camera lets in, and therefore how dark or light your photos will be), it's advisable to keep it quite low (100-200) as this will lead to sharper images. It is best to vary the shutter speed depending on the light. As you may already know, a slower speed can help to create sensational effects.
Using a tripod is standard advice with nearly every type of photography. The benefits of doing so are fairly obvious in the fact that it helps to keep the camera steady. This is especially important during low-light conditions. A steady camera helps to reduce blur and allows for longer exposures.
If you are taking the photographs using a smartphone, it is best to avoid digital zoom as this can lead to a lower quality of image. It is simply best to move a bit closer or to use an editing app to crop the image later. It is advisable to use the HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode as it helps you get great shots in high contrast situations. HDR enables your camera to create an image that captures the range of contrast in a scene, from the depths of the shadows to the highlights of the brightest areas. It is also beneficial to use gridlines. This is where your smartphone overlays the lines over the screen before taking the shot and is known as the rule of thirds. These gridlines do not appear in the photo.
After taking several photos, I then had the difficult task of deciding which ones to print and put in a picture frame. It may have been somewhat difficult to decide, but I massively enjoyed looking through all the photos and remembering just how amazing it was to see the sunset "live".