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!

A Candid Conversation on Travel & Photography

Tales of two travel enthusiasts trying to keep up with their wanderlust.  😀
Hear us talk about how we travel while staying home and Yeah…some amazing photography tips that can help you on your next trip! *-*

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!

golden hour photography

Add Magic to Your Photographs during the Golden Hour

Have you seen photos that have a natural, soft & warm glow? Well, the photographers have captured that beautiful glow during the Golden Hour!

Let’s decode the meaning of Golden Hour in Photography

The Golden Hour aka Magic Hour occurs after sunrise and before sunset. Though it’s called Golden Hour, it lasts approximately 40 mins after sunrise and 40 mins before sunset. Depending on your location and the season, the exact duration may vary. If it’s a cloudy weather, it might not happen at all.

Protip: To capture the soft golden light as much as possible – Widen the Aperture.

Here are the photographs shot during the Golden Hour along with the DSLR Settings:

The Salt Desert – Kutch, Gujarat

Golden Hour in Photography

This pic of a carefree jump conveys feelings of excitement, freedom, happiness & thrill. The Golden Hour colours have taken the aesthetics of the photograph to the next level.

Picture was taken before sunset –sunset timing: 6:10 pm, photo was taken at 5:57 pm.

DSLR Settings – Aperture: f/5, Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec, ISO 100, Exposure bias: -0.3 step, Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average.

The Salt Desert – Kutch, Gujarat

Long Shadows during Golden Hour

The Golden Hour is a great time for you to photograph long shadows. With shadows, you can add texture and depth to your photo; they help you balance the warm yellows with their darker hues.

Picture was taken before sunset –sunset timing: 6:10 pm, photo was taken at 5:30 pm.

DSLR Settings – Aperture: f/3.5, Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec, ISO 100.

The Salt Desert – Kutch, Gujarat

Golden Hour

The warm & natural colours during the Golden Hour –yellow & orange communicate a feeling of optimism to the viewer. It depicts the magnificence of the sun at its best.

Picture was taken before sunset – sunset timing: 6:10 pm, photo was taken at 6:02 pm.

DSLR Settings – Aperture: f/5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec, ISO 100.

Bhungas (Mud Houses) in Kutch, Gujarat

Camera Settings for Golden Hour

The soft golden light from behind the mud houses depicts the rustic beauty and slow living in a remote place.

Picture was taken after sunrise – sunrise timing: 7:28 am, photo was taken at 7:46 am.

DSLR Settings – Aperture: f/4.5, Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec, ISO 100.

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 Golden Hour with the help of practical examples.

Camera settings for Golden Hour in 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!

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!