Settings for sunsets
Mar 21, 2019 17:47:56 #
Mar 21, 2019 18:12:31 #
eagle80 wrote:
What do you use for settings of sunsets and include metering?
My suggestion is to go out and try for yourself. It's easy enough to look at the preview on the back of the camera.
What you set your camera to has a lot to do with your level of comfort with shooting raw and post processing.
I am not trying to be a wise guy - just saying that sunsets are among the most challenging subjects, and everyone has an approach that works for them. What I did back in 2006 when I got my first DSLR is vastly different from what I do today - different camera capabilities, different software, etc.
Mar 21, 2019 18:35:49 #
With my D7200 I bracket. Last time I went out it was my new Lumix G85 and I sill bracketed, but not as much because using EC with live view really gave me a good idea of what I was getting.
Mar 21, 2019 19:27:29 #
Meter different parts of the scene and use those as starting points to bracket. Look at your results. The light may change quickly, depending on how close the sun is to the horizon. Your exposures will also vary by how large you choose to make the sun in the frame (focal length and composition) and whether it's obscured by clouds or haze, and on how much land, buildings or water you include vs. how much sky.
Do you understand aperture settings as relate to depth of field and shutter speed as relate to motion blur? It seems a lot of folks new to photography think only in terms of "numbers" and neglect learning the very basics of exposure - including that different combinations of numbers can equal the same exposure.
I would set aperture first because in a sunset landscape, my depth of field is going to be most important to me. If I shoot just the sky, depth of field is less critical.
It's also important to learn about dynamic range. Sometimes compromises are necessary unless you blend exposures (in camera or in pp).
Do you understand aperture settings as relate to depth of field and shutter speed as relate to motion blur? It seems a lot of folks new to photography think only in terms of "numbers" and neglect learning the very basics of exposure - including that different combinations of numbers can equal the same exposure.
I would set aperture first because in a sunset landscape, my depth of field is going to be most important to me. If I shoot just the sky, depth of field is less critical.
It's also important to learn about dynamic range. Sometimes compromises are necessary unless you blend exposures (in camera or in pp).
Mar 22, 2019 06:01:36 #
eagle80 wrote:
What do you use for settings of sunsets and include metering?
I agree with Gene ,
Your shooting digital, experiment, experiment, experiment, It cost nothing but time.
Mar 22, 2019 06:28:20 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
eagle80 wrote:
What do you use for settings of sunsets and include metering?
I use the 45, 45 rule. Looking at the sunset, turn your camera 45 degrees left or right, now aim the camera 45 degrees up, now, lock that exposure, turn back and shoot sunset.
Mar 22, 2019 06:57:01 #
"What do you use for settings of sunsets and include metering?"
Each one of us is different and we all have different ways to shoot a specific subject. Sunsets unless the sun is too low in the sky it should not be included in the photograph for the possibility of damage to the retina. Never meter with the sun in the frame except when low in the sky because it will inflate the meter reading causing underexposure. Meter slightly away from the sun from a middle tone sky, use the meter reading and recompose to shoot the sunset. Matrix metering, evaluative metering or multi pattern metering will open the shadows with extra exposure, not desirable if you want a silhouette. I tend to use center weighted or spot metering for sunsets. If I use spot metering I tend to meter just above the horizon from a middle tonality in the sky and usually follow the meter recommendation.
Setting the aperture of the lens to f8 or f11 works very well for more depth of field if needed.
I set the camera to the Manual Mode when I shoot sunsets. That way I am in total control.
Each one of us is different and we all have different ways to shoot a specific subject. Sunsets unless the sun is too low in the sky it should not be included in the photograph for the possibility of damage to the retina. Never meter with the sun in the frame except when low in the sky because it will inflate the meter reading causing underexposure. Meter slightly away from the sun from a middle tone sky, use the meter reading and recompose to shoot the sunset. Matrix metering, evaluative metering or multi pattern metering will open the shadows with extra exposure, not desirable if you want a silhouette. I tend to use center weighted or spot metering for sunsets. If I use spot metering I tend to meter just above the horizon from a middle tonality in the sky and usually follow the meter recommendation.
Setting the aperture of the lens to f8 or f11 works very well for more depth of field if needed.
I set the camera to the Manual Mode when I shoot sunsets. That way I am in total control.
Mar 22, 2019 07:09:56 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
I agree with Gene ,
Your shooting digital, experiment, experiment, experiment, It cost nothing but time.
Your shooting digital, experiment, experiment, experiment, It cost nothing but time.
Mar 22, 2019 08:21:35 #
billnikon wrote:
I use the 45, 45 rule. Looking at the sunset, turn your camera 45 degrees left or right, now aim the camera 45 degrees up, now, lock that exposure, turn back and shoot sunset.
Just wondering, Bill. If the 45 left/right meter reading is different from the 45 up reading, do you take 2 images or do you average the two? I've always been happy with my sunset pics but am always open to improving them.
Mar 22, 2019 08:22:10 #
I start with a shot of what the meter states and adjust from there after seeing how it looks in the review.
Mar 22, 2019 09:10:23 #
Here's a starting point for you.
https://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-sunrises-and-sunsets/
https://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-sunrises-and-sunsets/
Mar 22, 2019 09:14:02 #
billnikon wrote:
I use the 45, 45 rule. Looking at the sunset, turn your camera 45 degrees left or right, now aim the camera 45 degrees up, now, lock that exposure, turn back and shoot sunset.
I have been shooting for 54 years, and this is the first time I have heard about the 45, 45 rule. It makes sense to get an averaged exposure. Thanks for the information. I am eager to try it.
Mar 22, 2019 09:23:58 #
Jack 1939 wrote:
I have been shooting for 54 years, and this is the first time I have heard about the 45, 45 rule. It makes sense to get an averaged exposure. Thanks for the information. I am eager to try it.
I'm guessing that the 45/45 thing is a composition guideline.
Mar 22, 2019 09:26:03 #
cameraf4 wrote:
Just wondering, Bill. If the 45 left/right meter reading is different from the 45 up reading, do you take 2 images or do you average the two? I've always been happy with my sunset pics but am always open to improving them.
Try it. If they look improved, go with the new method, if they don't, well...
Mar 22, 2019 09:26:17 #
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