How to capture spectacular sunrises and sunsets in photographs. Sunset Photo Shoot: How to Plan a Successful Portrait Shoot

To get unique and mesmerizing photos of sunsets like the professional ones, you need to follow certain shooting rules. First, try to look at familiar things from a slightly different angle. Plan your sunset shoot in advance so you have time to choose not only right time and place, but also the composition in the frame, and also think through in detail both the foreground and background, as well as the plot. Remember that in this case time is not in your favor, and in a fairly short period of time you need to manage to take several successful shots.

However, if you don't work with your camera settings, your photos may disappoint. This is why it is so important to choose not only the shooting point, but also the ideal focal length. This feature is available on most modern smartphones. In addition, they have a pre-autofocus mode. The flagship also features hybrid autofocus, which uses a special sensor to measure distance. It selects the most appropriate value: close autofocus, contrast autofocus or analyzing the depth of the scene.

Along with focusing, exposure metering occurs at the same time, allowing you to correct the image, brightening or darkening it. Setting the exposure when shooting sunsets is no less important, since you need to take into account the specific lighting conditions and make the picture the way you expect it to be.

Also, don't forget to take care of the ISO sensitivity value. Low values ​​increase shutter speed, while reducing the level of image “noise” and providing a softer rendition of colors and shades. Increasing the ISO, on the contrary, leads to a deterioration in quality, but it is important to use it when shooting off a tripod. In this case, the automatic sensitivity selection mode is more suitable; it will compensate for rapid changes in light intensity as the sun sets.

Adjusting white balance values ​​will also help achieve the most natural and warm color rendition without causing color cast in your photos. Play with the settings to find the best option.

When photographing the sun during sunsets, pay close attention to your exposure. If the sun is still too high above the horizon, the intensity of its light can overextend the frame. In this case, try using some object (house, mountainside, lighthouse, ship, etc.) and hiding the sun behind it. This way you will get an interesting shot where you capture bright colors sunset with rays of light escaping from under the object and soft color rendering.

If you want to capture the sun in all its glory, you should wait until it sets. The lower the sun, the less intense the light radiation.

Another valuable tool when photographing sunsets is a gradient ND filter. It allows for more detailed elaboration of the scene in natural darkening conditions, in addition, it is very relevant in conditions of rapidly changing lighting. There is a huge selection of such filters for smartphones, but on some advanced models, such as, you can apply various effect filters both during the shooting process and after it at the photo editing stage.

In addition, shooting sunsets in RAW format with further elaboration of all possible problem areas may be as relevant as always.

Beautiful pictures of sunsets are also obtained with the participation of various silhouettes (people, animals, trees, sculptures) in the frame. Place these objects in the foreground, they will give the photo even more depth and expressiveness.

Don't try to capture the horizon line in the middle of the frame, use the rule of thirds. Passing at the bottom of the frame, the horizon line gives you the opportunity to emphasize as much as possible more details in the sky. If you're shooting a sunset on the beach, also try playing with the water and capturing the sun's reflection in it.

Continue to practice and shoot even immediately after sunset: within a few more minutes you will get equally interesting and colorful photos.

Do you want to emphasize your lyrical nature, to capture an animated colorful landscape with the glow of the rising (setting) sun? Then go on a romantic trip to take stunning pictures with your camera, armed with the knowledge of professionals! So how do you photograph a sunset or sunrise? If we talk about composition, then this plot is completely no different from any other photograph. Of course, you are filming a sunrise or sunset ceremony, but you also want to capture those incredible and magnificent colors of the clouds, the shadows that open up a different perspective on objects, in a word - the entire extraordinary sunny landscape. It will be just perfect if some interesting silhouette suddenly appears in the frame. Perhaps it will be something big - like mountains or several palm trees standing in a row, or a pier, or maybe a human silhouette. The same compositional rules apply here: the rules of three-thirds and other laws work simply perfectly in this plot.

Before dawn

As dawn approaches, the “cool” shades of the night disappear, making way for warm light, which increases the overall light temperature. And in the east, where our star is expected to appear, you can see incredible beauty shine. So don't oversleep! In these magical moments for the photographer, the light is incredibly soft, like a little lamb, shadows do not overshadow with their presence, straight Sun rays for now they are just stretching, and at this time our stage is illuminated only by the reflected gentle light. Such conditions, as many photographers say, are conducive to masterpiece photographs. In such moments, you have the opportunity to work out the texture in detail, for example, pebbles and large stones on the coast. We especially recommend photographing the sea while the sun is about to wake up and paint the sky with wondrous colors. Thanks to the overall low-light conditions, scenes can be adjusted long exposure and how to magically turn sea water into a mysterious fog.

How to photograph sunrise

In order to capture the dawn glow in your camera’s memory, you need to take the time to tear your mortal body away from the soft pillow and arrive at the photographing location chosen the day before about twenty minutes before the sun begins to appear over the horizon. In summer, dawn begins from approximately 4:05 to 4:25 in the morning, and by 5 o’clock the sun is already high and the colors are completely different. To successfully photograph a sunrise you will need:

1. Digital camera with manual (M) and/or semi-automatic mode.
2. Optics: wide-angle lens. For example, a fixed lens is 18mm, or a zoom lens with a lens hood;
3. And, of course, a tripod.

There aren't many ingredients to getting an unsurpassed result, right? If we talk about settings, we recommend sticking to the following parameters:

• Select mode A - aperture priority.
• White balance (WB) settings, in principle, do not matter much: you can set Cloudy or enable automatic mode. There is no need to worry, because you are shooting in RAW anyway and will be able to correct the image during conversion.
• We recommend setting ISO to the minimum – 100. But if your camera supports lower values, for example, ISO 50, then set it.
• You don't have to worry about the shutter speed - aperture priority mode involves automatic selection best value excerpts.
• The aperture can be any, but it is better to set the average value, for example, 8f.

It is worth remembering that the first 2 hours after sunrise are simply ideal for landscape photography. And therefore, even if you didn’t hear the alarm clock or couldn’t get out of bed, missing the dawn itself, it’s still possible and even necessary to get to your intended place in these few hours. With every minute the brightness of the light will increase, and at the same time the difference in the illumination of the earth and heaven will increase. In order to properly expose the frame, we advise you to use a gradient filter or take a couple of photos in bracketing mode, and then combine the pictures into one unsurpassed masterpiece by processing the images in the editor.

How to photograph a sunset correctly

Rule one - do not focus exclusively on the heavenly body. Rule two - the most unusual sunsets in terms of lighting occur during a change in weather. Rule three - the more you close the aperture (don't overdo it), the longer and more expressive the sun's rays will be as a result. We set the following camera settings:

• Aperture priority mode (AV, A).
• The shutter speed value is not less than one divided by the set focal length.
• Set the light sensitivity (ISO value) to the minimum possible, but do not forget that the movement is always somewhere nearby.
• As for white balance, it is simply impossible to give a specific recommendation, because the best advice in this situation is to shoot in RAW, and only then, when converting to JPEG, set the necessary settings.

And on the way (we are going on a romantic trip), a little advice: if, when photographing a sunset, it seems to you that everything is... best time It’s already passed – still don’t rush to fold up your lenses. An hour after sunset, you'll be able to catch a brief window of blue-blue skies just before the night takes over and turns the colorful sky into a moody, empty black.

Photos of sunrise and sunset

Here are some photographs of the most wonderful sunsets and sunrises for inspiration romantic exploits. sunset photos

The sea, the sea is a bottomless world,” as it is sung in famous song. It has a magical effect on people. Everyone is drawn to being photographed and photographed. Especially those who recently bought a DSLR and decided to conquer this world with their photography. What should you know about professional and semi-professional photography at sea?

At sea you can find a lot of points for shooting beautiful scenery. Light plays a special place in this genre. Light has three main qualities - intensity, direction and color, all of which depend on the time of day. If you take pictures on a bright sunny day, avoid direct sunlight so that the picture is not overexposed and there are no unnecessary glares.

In photography there is such a thing as “golden hour”.

• Golden hour- this is the hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. At this time, the sun is low above the horizon and gives soft and diffused light. Warm tones add a cozy element to the composition, while long shadows give the image additional volume and texture. Charm seascape or a portrait will be emphasized and enhanced with the help of the “golden hour”.

Midday sun gives sharp shadows. The rays fall on the model from top to bottom, which is why they can poorly emphasize facial features.

• Arrange a photo session on white sand, the sand reflects the sun, this will make the shadows softer. Also, the built-in or on-camera flash will soften the shadows. Another option is to work in monochrome mode in the scorching heat; it will emphasize the deep shadows.

At sea you can find many places with big amount straight lines and the most important of them is the sea horizon. When photographing a landscape, it is very easy to get confused and “overwhelm” the horizon, especially if your picture includes elements such as mountains, an embankment, or architectural buildings. Lines can also be found on a bridge, pier or embankment where the lines lead - that is where the focus of the photo is. Use diagonal lines, they bring dynamics to the frame.

What is better to take for filming at sea?

Lens. If you want to photograph urban landscapes and nature, you will need a wide-angle lens. For portraits against the sea, lenses with a long focus (from 50 to 200 mm) are good.

Tripod. If you shoot at short shutter speeds, you can do without a tripod. For long ones you will definitely need it. The main requirements for it are strength and stability. Tripods are available in carbon fiber and aluminum. The first ones are lighter in weight. This should be taken into account if you plan to walk a lot to find a location. They rarely film at sea full height, this should also be taken into account when choosing a tripod.

Filters. One of the most important filters is the polarizer. It helps to avoid unnecessary glare on the water and makes it transparent. You may also want to use a gradient filter to darken the sky. A protective lens filter is also a good idea when shooting at sea.

How to photograph a sunset at sea?

Each of us perceives the sunset differently. The sea only contributes to the number of wonderful refractions and metamorphoses.

Many poets wrote about the sea sunset, many artists made it the theme for their paintings. Each photographer also has a chance to shoot the sunset in a special way, to capture his own sunset. In order to come to own style, you need to know a few simple rules.

Plan ahead. Look in advance for a location where you can get more interesting pictures. You may need more than one day to explore the most “sunset” places. Once you have decided on a place, come to it in advance, at least half an hour in advance. Come up with a plot, decide on the composition, think about the foreground and background.

Here's what to look for if you want to capture the perfect sunset:

• 25 minutes. Experienced photographers note that the brightest phase of sunset occurs 25 minutes after the sun goes below the horizon.
• Focal length. If you're going to take close-up shots of the sun, take a long lens. If you shoot with a wide angle, the sun turns out small and inexpressive.
• Skyline. Don't place it in the center of the frame. If the sunset is dim, place it in the upper third, if bright - in the lower third. To avoid blocking the horizon, use a bubble level (like a construction level) and focus on it.
• Diaphragm. It is better to photograph sunsets in aperture priority mode (AV, A). There are several reasons. The most important thing is that each lens has a certain range of aperture values ​​at which it produces best quality pictures are usually f/5.6-11.
• Image format. Use RAW, not JPEG. You will simply lose many of the finest nuances, halftones and transparency if you are guided only by saving space on the card. In addition, at the processing stage you will be able to extract the maximum from RAW, whereas with JPEG - alas...
• Various lighting conditions. IN different cases, on the LCD screen the sunset may look either darker (at the very beginning) or lighter (at the 20-25th minute). It is better to focus on the histogram rather than on the screen. And don’t rush to delete pictures while you look at them on your computer.

How to photograph children at sea?

To say that children are the most capricious models would not be entirely true. It is difficult to force them to pretend if it is not an element of the game, if they are not interested in it. They are not interested, first of all, in staring at the camera with a forced smile or taking an artificial pose.

Children, like wild animals, are best caught “on camera” in their natural environment a habitat.

The key rule is that the child simply forgets about the existence of the photographer, or perceives him “in the background.” And a few more points:

1. Focus on maximum naturalness. Emotions, smiles, antics, running around against the backdrop of the sea. Avoid posing and serious mines. It's great to capture the moment of hugs between baby and parents in the rays of the sunset;
2. Contrary to stereotypes, you can get nice shot when the “model” does not look into the frame;
3. Children are very active. To ensure that your photos are not blurry, set the shutter speed as fast as possible;
4. Shoot so that the sun is behind you or to the side of you, so that it illuminates the baby’s face;
5. Try not to shoot at adult height. Squat down so that the child does not lift his head. Alternate between close-ups, long shots and medium shots;
   • Mentally divide the frame into three equal parts lengthwise and crosswise. The subject being photographed is located either along the lines that divide the frame, or at the points where they intersect. If you're shooting close-up, make sure your subject takes up 70% of the frame. Try not to place the child's face in the middle of the frame. The photograph should “breathe”, there should be free space in it, especially in the direction of the child’s gaze.
6. Remember the classic rules of composition. For example - the rule of the “golden ratio”;
7. Don't focus on the face or figure as the center of meaning. Sometimes it’s worth shifting the emphasis and making the ball he plays with or the sand castles he’s built like that.

Ideas and poses for photographing at sea

A trip to the sea is one of the best incentives to get yourself in order, go to the gym, and change your hairstyle. The photo shoot will become a kind of moment of truth, the final exam in your personal “beauty school”.

A good photo shoot is one of the keys to a successful vacation. The recommendations below will be useful both for models and photographers, and for those who decided to experiment a little, tired of tasteless photos that highlight all their flaws.

• Portrait photography in water. The model carefully enters the water, trying not to wet her face and hair. We work on contrast: the girl is in the water, but part of her is dry.
• Try to photograph the model so that the line of the dress is on the horizon line.
• More expression. Let the model run along the shore, wave her arms, and roll in the sand. Take as many shots as possible so that you have plenty to choose from.
• Have the model wear a dress with a long hem so that it flutters in the wind.
• Take a photo of her with the lifebuoy.
• Take a photo of your model at sunset to get a silhouette.
• Nobody canceled the photographs on the embankment.
• Love-story. There can be a lot of options here. Romance against the backdrop of sunset is a win-win option.

1. Low exposure. When photographing a sunset, we want to convey the richness of color, all its diversity and depth. A bright frame will not allow this. The exposure compensation or exposure settings, if you are shooting in manual mode, must be set so that the image is darkened. Only then will all the beauty of the sun sinking below the horizon appear.

2. Foreground. The sunset itself is a very beautiful sight, but the whole atmosphere is not felt in the photograph, so it is advisable to fill the photograph with meaning. In the foreground, in the backlight of the sunset, there may be lonely tree, building or human figure. Maybe an entire residential area or city. Almost anything The outline of an object will add a point of interest to a photo. The black silhouette will not allow you to see the details. Thanks to this, the viewer will be able to dream up.

3. Position of the horizon line. It shouldn't be in the middle of the frame. According to the rule of thirds and the rule of the golden ratio, the photograph is divided into three horizontal parts and the dividing lines of these parts are the place where the horizon should be located. Thus, if the horizon is on the top line, then we will see more detail on the ground, and if on the bottom line, then the sky will become the object of view.

4. Not just a sunset. If you're into sunset photography, take a look around. The landscape behind you in the rays of the setting sun can be much more interesting than the sunset itself.

5. Aperture priority mode with exposure compensation. This mode is most convenient to use when the sun is still visible in the sky. As soon as it slips out of our sight, it is better to switch to manual control. This will allow you to achieve better results in poor lighting conditions.

6. Haste is bad. Not many people know that after the sun has finally set below the horizon, 25 minutes later it again reminds of itself with a bright glow in the sky. This moment may look even more colorful than the sunset process itself.

7. Silhouettes. It is important to photograph silhouettes that are easy to recognize. This silhouette adds meaning and subject matter to the photo.

8. Working with white balance. If the sunset looks dull, you can select the “Shadow” mode in the white balance settings and the colors will become rich and golden.

9. HDR technique. When photographing sunsets, HDR allows you to achieve stunning results with foreground detail while maintaining the captivating colors of the sky.

10. Clouds as a plot element. The clouds themselves can be very beautiful, but when cirrus or cumulus clouds cover the sky and the rays of the sunset break through them, the photo becomes unique.

11. Shooting with a closed aperture. An aperture opening with a value close to f/22 will create a beautiful drawing rays of light.

12. We take photographs without filters. Any filter will dull the colors. It is also better to remove the UV filter. A polarizing filter will not make the colors saturated.

13. The view is yours and the camera's. You should see the same way the camera will see. Take off your glasses and don't use them to see clearly color scheme And the smallest details plot.

14. The unspoken rule of focusing. Focusing on clouds is interesting, but in landscape photography it is common to focus on the area that is located within the lower third of the frame.

15. RAW is the key to quality. The sunset has many gentle tones. JPEG may simply cut them out during compression. You shouldn't take risks. Get the most out of your camera.

16. Reflections. Shooting near bodies of water will allow you to capture the reflection of the sunset in the water. This will greatly enhance the depth and charm of the photo.

17. Sunset, portrait, flash. A portrait against a sunset background looks very impressive. To take such a photo, you will definitely need a flash, since otherwise the camera will not be able to adjust the exposure to the front and in the background simultaneously.

18. Experiment with lenses. A telephoto lens will allow you to get a close-up view of the foreground and narrow the background. Shiri will distort the perspective. These are all creative moments that can radically change the look of a photo.

19. Birds to help. Birds flying in the sky can make the atmosphere of a photo so enchanting that the photo will become your favorite in your portfolio or collection.

20. Lighting conditions. When the celestial body has not yet set below the horizon on the camera display, the picture may look darker than it actually is. And when the sun goes down completely, pictures may appear brighter on the display than they really are. This should be taken into account.

Sunset is an impressive end to the day. This is an enchanting celebration of farewell to sunlight. And this is exactly the time when the sun allows us to enjoy its power and grandeur without the risk of going blind.

How to capture the magnificence of this moment in a photo? Let's try to figure it out.

The camera allows us not only to capture the sunset, but also to enhance the visual impact of sunset photos. To do this, first of all, you should work with the camera settings. We think you have no idea how easy it is to get stunning, dramatic sunset photos just by setting up your camera correctly. But let's talk about everything in order.

The sun is a constant source of light. And this kind of light source is the easiest to control. All camera settings that affect exposure will affect intensity sunlight, and its reflection. The beauty of this is that you have the ability to control the exposure of a constant light source through all available means: through aperture, shutter speed, etc. Except that each of these controls will affect exposure individually.

So, let's get straight to the tips that will help you take spectacular sunset photos:

• Set the camera to manual mode (M).
• Start by setting the ISO sensitivity you need. Remember the truism: the lower the ISO, the lower the noise level in your photo. If you want a smooth image, set it to ISO 100; if you want a grainy image, set it to ISO 800 or ISO 1600.
• Set the aperture. When photographing a sunset, control the depth of field using your aperture. For example, an aperture between f/11 and f/22 will allow you to get sharp details across the entire frame. At the same time, the f/5.6-f/2.8 aperture will allow you to use the selective focus technique. For example, if you are using a sunset as a background, you will of course want to have your subject (a person, a boat, rocks, etc.) in focus, and the sky may be blurry. After setting your ISO and aperture, it's time to think about controlling the intensity of sunlight.
• Excerpt. By making your shutter speed faster, you reduce the intensity of the light and increase the richness of the colors of the sunset. Try reducing the exposure by 1 or even 2 stops and take test shots. If the result completely satisfies you, start shooting.

Note: if the shutter speed is less than 1/30 sec you will need.

If you want to photograph moving people against a sunset background and avoid motion blur, use a shutter speed of 1/60 sec or slower, or use a flash.

Another tip: when shooting on the beach, try using a neutral density filter (or polarizing filter) - this will allow you to reduce the exposure by almost 1 stop, and increase the shutter speed to 1/15 sec. Among other things, this will allow you to get blurry, dreamily smooth waves in the photo.

That's all. Nothing complicated, right? You can see what can happen if you follow these tips in the video below.