Photographing Sunset or Sunrise.

Many folks I think are intimidated about photographing sunset or sunrise mainly because it is so very easy to get it wrong. And what I mean is that oftentimes we think that all that is needed is to snap the shutter at that fabulous color that we see right before our eyes. And when we do, we get sunspots, or lens flare, and it is just not attractive in a photograph. Lens flare is an overloading of the camera’s sensor, where it cannot handle all of that intense bright light much in the same way our human eyes succumb to the brightness of the sun. One thing that I like to do is simply wait until the sun has just about set, almost to the point where it has disappeared from view on the horizon. The amount of light that the sun gives off becomes less and less as it sets, allowing your camera’s sensor to be able to handle the less extreme amount of light. Even inexpensive point-and-shoot camera’s will be able to take advantage of this less intrusive light. One other benefit of waiting until the sun has almost set is the color of the sun and sky tends to intensify as the sun gets ready to dip behind the horizon, and this will make the finished product really pop with color. Another technique that I think is worth mentioning is that if you’re photographing an object or building such as a lighthouse, position yourself so that the sun is behind the building and it will lessen the light reaching your camera’s sensor. You’d be amazed at just how beautiful this can look in your finished photo, just keep in mind that because the sun is higher in this instance, you won’t get as much color in your shot as you would if the sun was very close to setting. I am by no means an expert in photography, but hopefully there are things that I have picked up over the years that can help someone just starting out. Now get out there and photograph sunset at one of your most favorite and beautiful spots. I have included here a photo of a shot I did last night, which I think shows the better color of an almost setting sun very low on the horizon. Namaste.