Sunset photography

[Agenda]

Can I just use take it with a normal dslr + kit lens only?

Need any special equipment? tripod etc?

and anything to note? such as settings? thanks!

[skeletonman]

what do you mean normal dslr? Ain't we all using normal dslr for taking photos?

[SeAnCoLd]

Usually, tripod is used for landscape shots.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by Agenda Can I just use take it with a normal dslr + kit lens only? Need any special equipment? tripod etc? and anything to note? such as settings? thanks!

Taking sunsets have to trial and error to get your desired effect. Tripod is not necessary as usually your shutter speed will have to be fast and use a smaller aperture, thus underexposing the foreground and giving that 'silouette' effect with the sunlight properly exposed.

I always use manual mode for this.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle Taking sunsets have to trial and error to get your desired effect. Tripod is not necessary as usually your shutter speed will have to be fast and use a smaller aperture, thus underexposing the foreground and giving that 'silouette' effect with the sunlight properly exposed. I always use manual mode for this.

Not true. Sunset is not only shot when the sun is still in the sky, but just after it goes below the horizon, where light will drop significantly. This time is the best time to get a nice mix of blues and oranges in the same scene, like the sample I will include below. However, shutter speeds can drop very low, especially if you are keeping your ISO to 100 or 200, so especially if you are doing HDR, a tripod will be most essential.

[clioboy]

tat is when the sky is presented in a burst of deep purple/pink/magenta etc etc..



Sun in the sky




Setting...still above the horizon..



Just below the horizon..



then the real display begins..

on both 40D and 400D..swapping btw 10-22 and 70-200 f4

don't know to shoot the fireball or wide angle..

at one point, i just stood there and stared. Using my God given lenses..

As u see..sunsets has varied conditions..and as in photography, always be prepared to adapt with existing setup.

Tripod good to have if u want to shoot at lower ISO during the later part of the sunset..

for starters on limited budget, kit lens will be good enuff.

Cheers!!

[Reportage]

no secret method actually since there are dslr users who will take picture in RAW then bring home and adjust the colors digitally. So in a sense, even a budget compact camera will do but more effort required since taking in jpeg.

[Galdor]

Yes bro, your kit lens will do fine. You may need a tripod and some filters as well.


(Taken with KM 5D handheld without filter)


(Taken with A700 on tripod with filter)

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by calebk Not true. Sunset is not only shot when the sun is still in the sky, but just after it goes below the horizon, where light will drop significantly. This time is the best time to get a nice mix of blues and oranges in the same scene, like the sample I will include below. However, shutter speeds can drop very low, especially if you are keeping your ISO to 100 or 200, so especially if you are doing HDR, a tripod will be most essential.

Well, what i've described always works for me though.