{"id":47669,"date":"2023-07-11T13:47:26","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T13:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=42025"},"modified":"2023-07-11T14:32:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T14:32:31","slug":"top-tips-for-photographing-a-beautiful-sunset","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/top-tips-for-photographing-a-beautiful-sunset\/","title":{"rendered":"Top tips for photographing a beautiful sunset"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’ll show you the settings, tips and techniques you need for successfully photographing sunsets. <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Have you ever wanted to know how to photograph a sunset? It\u2019s certainly a rewarding astrophotography<\/a> project, as few can resist the natural beauty of a sunset portrait.<\/span><\/p>\n

The beautiful colours of a setting Sun \u2013 particularly in the autumn months \u2013 are a photographer\u2019s dream: deep blue vignetting into yellow, orange and red.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Sunset\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sunset over the Walney offshore Wind farm. Credit: Ashley Cooper \/ Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Viewing the setting Sun without filters<\/a> is not recommended as harmful radiation can still cause eye damage. <\/span><\/p>\n

A camera however, can fare better.<\/span><\/p>\n

A good challenge is to produce a spectacular image of the Sun\u2019s last moments before it slips beneath the horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re not talking about an up-close capture of the solar surface here. For more info on that, read our guide on how to photograph the Sun<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""City\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
City of London skyline at sunset. Credit: Gary Yeowell \/ Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Photograph your sunset safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As ever it pays to show caution. When the Sun is less than a degree above the horizon, the thicker layer of atmosphere its light has to pass through attenuates its output.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also scatters more of the blue end of the spectrum leaving the predominantly orange-red tones to dominate. <\/span><\/p>\n

A safe way to achieve a camera view of sunset is to apply solar safety film to a telescope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember to cap any finder scopes before pointing at the Sun, though, as failure to do this may result in their cross hairs burning out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the filter has been fitted, point the telescope at the Sun and use your camera\u2019s Live View mode to get a precise alignment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Portsmouth\u2019s\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Portsmouth\u2019s Spinnaker Tower, silhouetted by the setting Sun \u2013 taken from 22km away. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Where to aim your camera<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rotate the camera so the horizon is parallel with the edge of the camera frame.\u00a0<\/span>Focus the image as best you can, zooming into the edge of the Sun\u2019s disc.<\/span><\/p>\n

This can be tricky to get right as the solar limb often appears to boil when the Sun\u2019s altitude is low.<\/span><\/p>\n

At your own risk, when the Sun has an altitude less than an apparent solar radius it\u2019s possible to remove the solar safety filter and image directly.\u00a0<\/span>Discretion needs to be applied here and if you\u2019re not sure what you\u2019re doing, don\u2019t try.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you do decide to remove the filter, do not look through the camera\u2019s viewfinder and never leave the setup unnecessarily looking at the Sun if you\u2019re not taking photos.<\/p>\n

In such circumstances, simply reapply the safety filter until you\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n

Use your camera\u2019s lowest ISO value and set the exposure to the fastest shutter speed. Take a shot and examine for over-exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the Sun\u2019s disc is over-exposed, re-fit the filter. If the Sun is dim enough not to over-expose, adjust the exposure so the Sun appears bright but its disc shows colour and doesn\u2019t appear white. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunsets are a spectacle in their own right, but with a bit of planning or simply by monitoring how the Sun moves from one evening to the next, it\u2019s possible to enhance an image with a foreground silhouette. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you are up to the challenge, it\u2019s possible to achieve something truly spectacular.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you do manage to capture a beautiful sunset image, we\u2019d love to see it! Find out how to send us your astrophotos<\/a> or get in touch with us via Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This article originally appeared in the November 2019 issue of <\/strong><\/em>BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/strong>. Pete Lawrence<\/a> is an experienced astrophotographer and a co-presenter on <\/strong><\/em>The Sky at Night<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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