Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

It is pretty difficult to get good sunset pics in auto mode.
The Manual settings I use are:
Auto WB
Auto ISO
Shutter speed of 1/250 to 1/500.
Daylight exposure setting.
F:1/11
I use a ND Gradual filter and position the dark half over the top of the horizon. This tones down the flare of the sun.
This is a lot of information for a newbie but if you follow it carefully you should be able to capture nice sunsets and sunrises.
If you see lens flare in your viewfinder reposition the angle of your camera until it goes away. Lens flares are bright circles of red or blue light in the viewfinder.
Start shooting softer sunsets and progress to the really bright ones when you get a handle on the settings.
Last but not least take numerous shots. Out of 100 sunset photos I might get 6 or 7 that are keepers.

Kuzano

Decent post, but I find your notation for the Aperture setting (fstop) to be confusing.

the f stop you use on any shot should be state as a number of the size of the opening, simply behind f

Or

f11

A popular saying is that the most important function of photography is "f8 and be there"

I do agree that sunrise and sunsets are tricky for autofocus.

I see a very nice yellow pickup in the OP's avatar. I would suggest that truck or a similar subject on a semi sunny day, light clouds would be an excellent way to test the proper use of AF. It helps to know manual focus and manual settings to understand how the camera gathers all the information to make the aperture, shutter and ISO setting, not to mention a myriad of others.

Where the sunrise/sunset situation often does NOT provide areas of contrast or phase detection as now used by digital cameras for focus, that yellow truck in a similar setting would provide the areas of change in contrast that Auto Focus uses.

Also, group and facial snapshots should be easy to grasp how the AF works.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

If you are using your camera in one of the full auto modes, then it won't take a picture unless it can achieve focus lock. Read the manual and pay particular attention to the little side notes when reading about the full auto modes.

Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

[quote=Kuzano]Decent post, but I find your notation for the Aperture setting (fstop) to be confusing.

the f stop you use on any shot should be state as a number of the size of the opening, simply behind f

Or

f11

You are correct. It should have read f11. Slip of the fingers. Thank you for pointing it out.

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

Hi Rocketride...I've found that the small squares have disappeared to be replaced by larger, fewer ones? Still can't get it to take in dim lighting. Still working on it. I do need to watch the CD they sent...I know I'm missing some detailed instruction/s. Thank you for your input! ps...I like your cat pix!

rocketride Loc: Upstate NY

I'm trying to figure out what squares you mean. Are you talking about the boxes on the focusing screen that have the dots in their centers light up when their sensors get a "lock" or something in the images? Also, how dim is the lighting? If you're trying to get a focus lock on a wall by the light of a candle at the other end of the room, it's not going to happen with anybody's amateur-grade equipment. (I'm not knocking the T5i, I have a T4i and an SL-1, the two models closest to yours and I love them, but in low light my 6D comes out to play.)

My avatar cat's name is Kit Kat, and he is a 22lb. (10kg) sweetheart.

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

Yes, the boxes? They are supposed to help you focus, etc...this is a Rebel EOS T5? I tried to snap a sunset and it would not take it. SO disappointed. The D series are a lot more money, but maybe worth investing in. KitKat is a doll. I have a lovable little 8 pound Siamese named Riggs. She's the light of my life...Cats rule!

amehta Loc: Boston

I assure you, the camera is fine, and you are fine, but you two are having a very rocky relationship. But there is help, there are counselors who can guide you. In this case, if you can find someone who can spend a little time with you showing you some of these features which are frustrating you, you'll get past it and have a long and productive relationship. :-)

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

:) I won't give up. Thank you Amehta...