Need Sunset Exposure Advice/Help, Please: Took this picture of the setting sun on July 4th. I could see the red glow through the trees, so I walked down the driveway to get a better...

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

Took this picture of the setting sun on July 4th. I could see the red glow through the trees, so I walked down the driveway to get a better look. The sun looked so cool, red glow and perfectly clean edges. It didn't look real! Taking a picture of what I was seeing was a challenge. I tried changing my WB to "cloudy", but that didn't help with the color. I tried metering off the sky overhead and ended up underexposing quite a bit just to get it this close. So, I'm just wondering if someone can be so kind as to give me some advice/tips on proper technique. I've never dabbled in post-processing, so I'm always trying to get things right, in camera. Thanks, in advance, for your help!

July 4th Sunset

(Download)

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

PattyW60 wrote:

Took this picture of the setting sun on July 4th. ... (show quote)

I don't rely on the camera doing the correct exposure. I start with the settings the camera would use and then go to manual. Since I can immediately see the results of each attempt, I determine from that what changes to make to the settings for the next shot. It doesn't take very many shots to get what you want.

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

JimH123 wrote:

I don't rely on the camera doing the correct exposure. I start with the settings the camera would use and then go to manual. Since I can immediately see the results of each attempt, I determine from that what changes to make to the settings for the next shot. It doesn't take very many shots to get what you want.

Thanks, Jim. I haven't taken the step to using Manual; always shoot AP. I'd like to learn though, and I just need to set my camera there and start learning!! Thanks for the advice and the "nudge" to use Manual.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

The metering needs to be based on the area in the frame that you want to be the mid - tone. In this example probably the foliage would have been an option. With the metering set at that level the sun would have blown out but you would expect that given that the range of the image probably - certainly - exceeds the dynamic range of the camera.
Having the sun blow out may not be a problem - it is after all very bright. However the mid tone you select needs to reflect the sky colour that you want to capture.
A good technique is to take a range of images at different exposure settings (shutter speed setting) and then blend them together to produce an image with a greater overall dynamic range than that which a single shot from your camera can achieve.
Selecting the sky or the sun for the exposure settings results in the camera setting those as the mid tone, with the result that everything slides down the scale into darkness.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Most DSLR's have a sunset scene mode. I'd start with that, see how it looks, then go manual and adjust as needed. Camera LCD's are lousy to make analysis from. Lots of free and/or cheap computer programs out there that would show you the EXIF data for each shot to help decide what to use "the next time".

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

PattyW60 wrote:

Took this picture of the setting sun on July 4th. ... (show quote)

I think you did a pretty good job, considering the dynamic range of this scene. As someone noted, it would be nearly impossible to capture that range in the camera.

A little PP would bring this image to life.

Good question, nonetheless, and worthy of discussion. Just keep shooting!!

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

gvarner wrote:

Most DSLR's have a sunset scene mode. I'd start with that, see how it looks, then go manual and adjust as needed. Camera LCD's are lousy to make analysis from. Lots of free and/or cheap computer programs out there that would show you the EXIF data for each shot to help decide what to use "the next time".

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the sunset mode is for JPEG only. I don't recall it being available for RAW. Probably you are not using RAW. But sunset mode boosts the reds and yellows to make that sunset appear richer. The RAW has sufficient range of adjustment to be able to do this in post processing.

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

DaveHam wrote:

The metering needs to be based on the area in the ... (show quote)

Thank you, Dave. I did try metering off the foliage too, but as you noted, the sun was blown out. It's just tricky, and maybe it's not possible to get it perfect in camera. I'll practice your advice on taking a range of images at various exposures. Thanks much, for commenting.

:thumbup:

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

brucewells wrote:

I think you did a pretty good job, considering the dynamic range of this scene. As someone noted, it would be nearly impossible to capture that range in the camera.

A little PP would bring this image to life.

Good question, nonetheless, and worthy of discussion. Just keep shooting!!

Thanks, Bruce. I DO need to take time and play with some PP. I think I'll enjoy it!

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

gvarner wrote:

Most DSLR's have a sunset scene mode. I'd start with that, see how it looks, then go manual and adjust as needed. Camera LCD's are lousy to make analysis from. Lots of free and/or cheap computer programs out there that would show you the EXIF data for each shot to help decide what to use "the next time".

Thanks, gvarner. I appreciate the tip.

:thumbup:

washy Loc: Dorset UK

PattyW60 wrote:

Thank you, Dave. I did try metering off the foliage too, but as you noted, the sun was blown out. It's just tricky, and maybe it's not possible to get it perfect in camera. I'll practice your advice on taking a range of images at various exposures. Thanks much, for commenting.

:thumbup:

You could always take one or two images with your camera set on auto ISO and P program if its a Canon so your allowing the camera to choose its own settings, similar settings for other makes, using these images as a start and adjusting the settings from there.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

i'm going to second the suggestion that you shoot manual.

I'd suggest getting Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure" and read it/sleep it/learn it. :)

It talks about shots like these among other things.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

You have gotten some good advice about manual settings, I would also recommend manually setting White Balance, when set to AWB your camera will try and take the orange hue out of the image, generally not desirable for sunset shots. If you don't have the option or don't have the knowledge to set Kelvin try starting with the cloudy setting.

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

washy wrote:

You could always take one or two images with your camera set on auto ISO and P program if its a Canon so your allowing the camera to choose its own settings, similar settings for other makes, using these images as a start and adjusting the settings from there.

Thanks, Washy. I had thought this might be a good idea for when I'm trying to learn using Manual mode. Experiment with my own settings, then occasionally check to see what the auto modes show me. Thanks for the tip!!

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

rpavich wrote:

i'm going to second the suggestion that you shoot manual.

I'd suggest getting Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure" and read it/sleep it/learn it. :)

It talks about shots like these among other things.

Thank you, rpavich! I bought the book. :) Read a lot of good feedback on this site about it.

:thumbup: