Camera Settings for Sunrise Photography, Sunset Photography and Everything in Between

Camera Settings for Sunrise Photography, Sunset Photography and Everything in Between

Camera Settings for Sunrise Photography and Sunset Photography

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.

Sunset on Beach Photography

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’.

Blue Hour Photography

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.

Golden hour photography

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 for Sun Photography

Camera SettingsAperture: f/22, Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec, ISO: 100, Focal length: 55mm

Shining Clouds before Sunset

Camera settings for sunset  photography

Camera Settings – Aperture: f/32, Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec, ISO: 100, Focal length: 220mm

Setting Sun

Sunset Photography

Camera Settings-Aperture: f/5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/3200 sec, ISO: 800, Focal length: 250mm

Dramatic Sky after Sunset

DSLR Camera settings for sunset  photography

Camera Settings-Aperture: f/8, Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec, ISO: 800, Focal length: 55mm

Afternoon Sun Flare in the Dark Woods

Sun Flare photography

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

Sunrise Photography

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
  • 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.

Camera Settings for Sunrise and Sunset Photography

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?

Did this blog help you with some ideas to improve your photography skills? For more useful photography tips, examples, ideas & inspiration, please subscribe below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email. Thank you!

blue hour photography

How Blue Hour Can Help You Create Amazing Photographs

The Blue Hour is a wonderful time to step out, experience the enigmatic beauty of nature and click some breathtaking pictures!

Understanding Blue Hour in Photography

Blue Hour Photography

The Blue Hour occurs before sunrise and after sunset. Though it’s called Blue Hour, it actually 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.

Take a look at some of the reasons why you should capture photographs during the Blue Hour (along with DSLR Settings):

To Evoke a Feeling of Tranquillity/of Faith: Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)

Blue Hour in Photography

This was photographed after sunset; sunset timing: 6:10 pm, photo was taken at 6:33 pm.

DSLR SettingsAperture: f/4, Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec, ISO 800.

To Capture Beautiful Colours of Nature: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

What is Blue Hour in Photography

An after sunset picture; sunset timing: 6:10 pm, photo was taken at 6:35 pm.

DSLR Settings – Aperture: f/5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec, ISO 3200.

To Enhance your Pic with a Mix of Natural & Artificial Light: Kala Ghoda Festival, Mumbai 

How to use Blue Hour in Photography

This was photographed after sunset; sunset timing: 6:36 pm, photo was taken at 6:55 pm.

DSLR Settings: Aperture: f/4, Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec, ISO 800.

To Avoid Crowd & Get a Good View of the Place: Dawki, Meghalaya

Camera Settings for Blue Hour in Photography

In this picture – you can see the moon as well, it was clicked before sunrise.

Sunrise timing: 05:19 am, photo was taken at 05:10 am.

To give a 3D Feel to the photograph, Foreground Composition was used (Rocks & Stationed Boats serve as Foreground).

DSLR Settings: Aperture: f/5, Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec, ISO 3200.

To Appreciate the Beauty of Nature in Solitude: Kutch, Gujarat

How to click photographs during Blue Hour

Picture was clicked before sunrise; sunrise: 07:28 am, photo was taken at 07:07 am.

You will notice Rule of Thirds Composition was also used in this image.

DSLR Settings: Aperture: f/3.5, Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec, ISO 400.

Protip:

Since, it will be dark during the Blue Hour, you will need a slow shutter speed so that more light enters the camera sensor. So, use a tripod to avoid a blur image.

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 Blue Hour with the help of practical examples.

Blue Hour in Photography explained

Do Share The Learning – Like It, Post It, Pin It, Tweet It!

Did this blog help you with some ideas to improve your photography skills? For more useful photography tips, examples, ideas & inspiration, please subscribe below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email. Thank you!