Looking for photography inspiration? Well, our world is full of inspiration – sometimes we find it within, sometimes in nature, wildlife, people and so on.
To sharpen your photography skills, you visit photography tutorials websites and check out famous photographers’ works on the internet and social media.
One of the best places to get inspired is ‘Movies’; you get entertained while learning composition skills from their excellent cinematography, isn’t it? Talking about sunrise photography, I fell in love with the opening scene of a beautiful lake at sunrise in the popular Hollywood movie ‘The Notebook’.
You can capture the beauty of the Blue Hour which occurs before sunrise and after sunset; it lasts between 20 – 40 mins before sunrise and between 20 – 40 mins after sunset before it gets too dark. Sometimes, you may also see orange, yellow, pink colours near the horizon.
The Golden Hour aka Magic Hour is also a great photo op that occurs after sunrise and before sunset; it lasts for about 40 mins after sunrise and 40 mins before sunset.
Take a look at the below photographs and Camera Settings that were used to capture them:
Before Sunset
Camera Settings – Aperture: f/22, Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec, ISO: 100, Focal length: 55mm
Shining Clouds before Sunset
Camera Settings – Aperture: f/32, Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec, ISO: 100, Focal length: 220mm
Setting Sun
Camera Settings-Aperture: f/5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/3200 sec, ISO: 800, Focal length: 250mm
Dramatic Sky after Sunset
Camera Settings-Aperture: f/8, Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec, ISO: 800, Focal length: 55mm
Afternoon Sun Flare in the Dark Woods
Camera Settings-Aperture: f/4.5, Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec, ISO: 800
(Post processing was done in Lightroom to adjust exposure (brightness))
Sunrise in the City
Camera Settings-Aperture: f/11, Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec, ISO: 200, Focal length: 105mm, Metering mode: Spot
Pro tips for Sun Photography
- If you’re travelling to a new place, check the sunrise and sunset timings beforehand so that you can reach the place early and plan your composition for the photograph
- Beginners can use Aperture Priority Mode before advancing to the Manual Mode
- Tripod will help in capturing better photographs
- Go for Wide angle lens/Zoom lens depending on your creative vision or what visual story you want to convey to the viewers
We bring you ‘Jo & His Camera’ Comic Strips wherein a Magical Camera gives DSLR photography tutorials to Jo.
Click on the below Image to see the Comic wherein the Camera explains Jo, the concept of Sunrise and Sunset Photography with the help of practical examples.
When you do photography: Remember the 5E’s – Explore, Experiment, Experience, Enjoy & Express.
Do Share The Learning – Like It, Post It, Pin It, Tweet It!
So, what’s your favourite time to be out amidst nature and photograph it – is it Blue Hour, Golden Hour, Sunrise or Sunset?
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