Golden hour photos could be what you post on social media nowadays. Sharing these has now become a common hobby. But how do you ensure that these snapshots will be eye-catching to everyone?
Weather Factors
Always keep an eye on the weather. Of course, wet photos always want to be avoided, you will require a clear view of the sun. Most would think that a perfect day would be ideal. However, a mix of clouds can add atmosphere, patterns, and more feeling to the sunset view. The days where dust and smoke are in the air would produce quality results as well. It is a good idea to arrive 30-45 minutes before because the time between darkness and sunset is really important, and to get a good idea of where the clouds are likely to be.
Composition
When taking the photo, make sure that you have a composition in mind. The sun does not have to be the center or focus of the photo, nor should anything else, following the rule of thirds. Instead, looking for natural frames for the image: in the form of tree or branch lines. The sunlight should be cast on nearby objects or the surrounding landscape to create a full and unique atmosphere. The sun does not even have to be in the photo to show its influence on nature. Lakes and rivers are an amazing addition, playing around with the reflections of sunlight and the surroundings, adding an entirely new dimension to the photo. A good rule for the horizon line is to place it at the top third or bottom third of the photo, depending on how pretty the sunset is.
Site Seeing
Looking around is important in finding good angles. Not only can the sunlight be used for sunset photography, but the golden light can be used for other types of photography as well. Never forget to turn around, sometimes the best view could be found behind you. Remember the timing for taking photos: there is usually a second light-up of the sky half an hour after the sun drops below the horizon, likely more beautiful than the first time. Incorporating a silhouette into the photo will add mood and a point of interest in the photo. These silhouettes could be anything, cast from mountains, trees, etc.
Camera Techniques
Knowing some shooting techniques could always help for touchups. Dynamic range is a key in taking good photos, which is the amount of detail able to be captured in the light and dark areas of the photo. That would allow you to choose if you would prefer more details in the darker or lighter sections. With sunsets, there is no ‘correct’ exposure, the key is experimentation. Some cameras may have trouble focusing in extremely bright conditions, so manual focus might get better results. Lastly, before the sun completely sets, try using HDR mode to capture most of the dynamic range.
Other Notes
If you are taking a photo of someone in the sunset, using flash will help make their faces clear. As well, the position of the person is important, it is always awkward when the person’s neck is in line with the horizon. Instead, the horizon line should be somewhere near the person’s chest or stomach area. Do not use any filters, not even the polarizer filter. This filter tends to block light from reaching the camera and will not saturate the colors.
Bibliography
Format Team. (2019, February 13). The Complete Guide To Sunset Photography. Retrieved September 16, 2020 from https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/sunset-photography
Team, Format. (2018, November 19). 10 Awesome Landscape Photography Tips. Retrieved September 16, 2020 from www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/landscape-photography-tips
Harmer, Jim. (2020, February 25). 30 Tips for Stunning Sunset Photography. Retrieved September 16, 2020 from www.improvephotography.com/416/30-tips-sunset-photograph
Rowse, Darron. (September 29, 2015). 12 Tips for Photographing Stunning Sunsets. Retrieved September 16, 2020 from www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-sunrises-and-sunsets/
Written by The Nine Eves
The Anonymous Helpers (TAH)
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