In this article, we discuss the best filters for shooting sunset photos. As well as sharing my thoughts about the best filters to use, I also answer the question do we even need to use lens filters. If you check the DxO Mark database, you will find many can capture more than 13 stops of dynamic range in the landscape.
Typical the dynamic range of a scene is much higher at sunset or sunrise, especially if the sun is in the frame or just below the horizon. For example, it may be easy to recover highlights in some RAW files but not others. You find the same problem if you want to recover detail in deep shadow areas. Some camera RAW files are fine, but others reveal poor detail and unwanted noise in the shadows.
It really depends on the type of sensor used by the manufacturer as they will usually favour one or the other scenario. Digital filters try to simulate the effect of lens filters, typically the Graduated Neutral Density filter.
They work by darkening the sky, and sometimes simultaneously lightening the ground. Most RAW converters include a Gradient or Graduated filter and there are also several third-party plugins of this type.
When this happens the histogram of the image is said to be clipped and the detail is lost in those areas. But when you do capture the full dynamic range in a scene, they prove to be a great way to fine-tune the exposure as in this image. In this scene a Reverse ND Graduated filter was used to control the exposure of the sky.
This allowed the camera to capture the entire dynamic range in a single shot. The exposure was then correctly balanced across the frame using the Gradient and Radial filters in Lightroom. Whilst it may not be possible to capture the full dynamic range of a scene like the one above in a single shot, it is possible to use multiple exposures.
Shooting multiple frames, you can capture the same image but at different exposures. Then using Exposure Blending techniques you can combine the images to create a single image with an extended dynamic range. Using exposure blending techniques can be extremely effective and is sometimes a good alternative to lens filters providing:.
In the example above, the waves on the sea may cause problems when exposure blending as they are in different positions in each shot. That said, they are so small that it may be possible to still create a good blend. I have yet to find software that can successfully automate the process and produce consistently high-quality results.
Dust spots will be obvious when viewed against the bright sky when you're stopped down to high aperture values. Use a graduated neutral density filter to darken the sky and allow the camera to get enough light to expose the landscape.
The darkening of the sky will also add color to the scene. Watch for Reflections! The photo above shows me holding the cover of Shutterbug Magazine where I was lucky enough to get the cover shot.
Shooting that picture, there wasn't that much color in the sky, but it was just enough to bathe the water in the foreground in a little color that made the photo feel rich and interesting. Always look for ways you can reflect the sunset colors, which makes it feel like you had more of a sunset than you really did. Before you run off, I want to share with you some of my very best Youtube videos. These are all on-location videos where you can see how I'm using the color in sunsets, choosing my compositions, etc.
Enjoy, and don't forget to hit subscribe so you can see my future Youtube vids! The light change fast after the first sunset. I tried shooting handheld and found hand shake blur on my monitor without raising the ISO. I want all the color and dynamic range so my tripod is always with me during sunset. A variation on tip 8: I agree with no auto white balance.
A variation on tip If you add flash from the camera, its cool light will conflict with the warm light of the sunset.
Put a piece of white tissue paper over the flash to warm it up. Even though the paper looks white, it photographs orange. Michael W — Most filters will do more harm than good in taking a sunset photo, but a graduated neutral density filter will darken the sky and leave the foreground bright, so it adds color to the scene since it will not be overexposed. Clear as mud? The cloud type you talk about is stratus, also when you talk about shooting after it rains i would recommend that you go in search of the subset if the weather is forcast for thunder storms or convective showers as these will dissapate as the sun goes down.
Be familiar with your camera controls. Thanks a mil for the tips. I am busy with my professional photography course and must do 3 landscapes. I think I will do fine now after reading this great info. Thank you!!! More an anal retentive point, but on point 12 it was stated that the suns rays become more clear at the smaller aperture. The suns rays that are captured by the camera is actually a form of distortion that arises from an imperfectly round aperture the little points that form the corners of the overlapping blades.
The more acute the angle of these corners, the more accentuated the rays become. This is the reason that the number of blades a lens has determines the number of rays that are actually seen you can count this yourself. You can then HDR if you choose or select the exposure you like best and pitch the rest.
Give yourself options. Skip to content. I shot this picture in Iceland. Having a remote trigger whether attached to the camera, using an app, or other is important to have in setting up for the perfect long exposure of a sunrise or sunset. Adjust your timing for how extensive you want any kind of motion to be in your image to obtain your desired look. Hopefully these things help you in improving your sunrise and sunset images to create beautiful and dynamic photos that bring more feeling and passion to them.
For more by Kenneth Hines, check out his website. Show me: Hit enter to search. Stay up to date Enable browser notifications to stay up to date with all the Alpha Universe Updates! Let's do it!
An ND filter is like sunglasses for your camera. It darkens the scene to varying degrees based on the strength of the filter. This can be as subtle as the clouds moving in the sky or it can be as obvious as waves crashing against the shore. In addition to the movement, it also helps to have something stationary to anchor the movement in the scene. The best sunset shots with an ND filter will have a combination of movement and a stationary object to provide contrast to the movement.
Touching the camera when shooting at slower shutter speeds can cause blurring of fine details in the image. So ideally, you want to avoid this altogether.
The best way to do this is with a remote trigger or intervalometer. Take into consideration some of the basic principles of composition like the rule of thirds when composing your image.
Your goal should be to create a good sunset landscape photo that uses elements of motion blur to enhance the image rather than just using an ND filter to show that you can do it. How fast things are moving in your frame and how much you want to blur that movement will factor into which shutter speed you choose.
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