Tag: sunrises

Predicting Sunsets and Sunrises

Everyone wants to take photos of sunrises and more want to get a good sunset. I did a quick post last weekend on how I get the colours of those, and today I thought I would give you some tips on how to predict whether you will get a sunset or a sunrise.

One of the things you need to keep an eye on for sunrises, and sunsets, is the weather.  You really need to watch the weather forecast.

LeanneCole-banyuleflats-20140525-9463

Sunrise

To get a good sunrise the weather for the day you want to take photographs has to be bad, or will be changing for the worse.  If the forecast is for a storm that day, or rain, or something that will be worse than the previous day, then the chances are good for a great sunrise.

The other thing you need is some cloud.  Not so much that they block out the sun as it comes up, but scattered clouds.  If you wake up and can see that the sky is overcast, then chances are you won’t get much.  I usually stay home then.  If you see that there are no clouds in the sky at all, you will get some colour near the horizon, but it won’t be brilliant.  Remember the colours are the sun reflecting off the clouds.

docklands-20140313-2429

Sunsets

Sunsets work the same way with the clouds, if you want the ribbons of colour, or the brilliant colours in the sky, then you need the clouds.  Overcast and too think clouds will show nothing.  scattered clouds are the best.

Unlike sunrises, the forecast has to be for brilliant weather the next day.  I think it is good if you have a good day and the forecast for the next day is even better.  The better the weather the next day, the better the sunset.

Of course this is what we predict, it doesn’t actually mean it will happen.  It can all seem like the perfect conditions, and then nothing happens, or not much. Then there will be days where you thought you woudn’t get anything and you get something spectacular. You will also get better sunsets or sunrises depending on the time of year and where you live, that is something that you will have to experiment with.

Good luck, I hope this helps you get some great photos of the colours in the sky.

On a side note, if you have enjoyed this post or learned something new, please remember this is how I make my living, so it would be wonderful if you would consider making a small donation.

btn_buynowCC_LG

Getting the Colours of the Sunset or Sunrise

  • May 25, 2014
  • Leanne Cole
  • Photography, Tips
  • Comments Off on Getting the Colours of the Sunset or Sunrise

This morning I went out early to see if I could get a sunrise, I have written a post about this already, Weekend Wanderings – Sunrise Over the Flats, but I thought I might talk about how to take sunrise and sunset photos so you get the colours of what you are actually seeing.

instgramsunrisebanyuleflats

If you look at this image, taken with my phone and processed with Instagram you can see great colours in the water, but not in the sky.  The colours were there in the sky, but they didn’t come out.  Sometimes phones and compact cameras can capture great sunsets and sunrises, but I often find it difficult with my DSLR.

I used to go out and I would be very disappointed with my images because I would get home and the colours would be so washed out.  So through experience I have taught myself how to get the brilliant colours of the sunset or sunrise.

leannecole-banyuleflats-20140525-9383

This is how I do them.  I use spot focusing and spot metering.  If there isn’t anything in the sky to focus on, I will focus on something else, then set my focus to manual.  I then move my point so that it is on some part of the colour in the sky or a cloud.  Now that point or spot will meter for that part of the image and I will get the lovely deep colours that you get with these sort of images.

If you do overall metering, then as it gets darker your camera will try to compensate and make everything lighter, and you will lose those deep vibrant colours.

I hope this helps you the next time you are out taking photos of the sunset or sunrise.

On a side note, if you have enjoyed this post or learned something new, please remember this is how I make my living, so it would be wonderful if you would consider making a small donation.

btn_buynowCC_LG