I LOVE sunset photos, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in that. In fact, this was proved recently when I placed a post in a Facebook travel blogger group, asking for some sunset photos to share on my Instagram page for a feature.
The response was overwhelming, with over 168 different photos offered in just 24 hours. I closed the post at that point, but a small part of me was left wondering how many more great snaps would have arrived.
Anyway, as there were so many I couldn’t settle on just 9 for a best of instagram sunsets feature, so I decided to write a post and share some tips on how to take great sunset photos.
I recently did something similar with tips for taking photos of waterfalls, but remember, I am by no means a professional photographer but I know my way around a camera and can take some pretty good pics.
So whether you are looking for tips on getting that perfect moemnt as the sun sinks into the sea, or taking photos on safari and want to snap that hazy African sun as a herd of elephants sihiloutee themselves in front of it, you’re in the right place.
Learn how to handle a camera
The biggest bit of advice I can give before getting started is a good camera won’t take great pictures on its own. If you are looking to buy a camera for travelling, invest some time (or more money) in learning how to use it. There are some great online photography courses available or why not buy a book or two, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way!
For the best sunset pictures, it is important to know what aperture, white balance, ISO and shutter speed all is. Generally, I’ll still shoot on semi-auto, but it is good to at least understand what you are doing.
That said, on with the photos. Remember that if you see something you like? Be sure to follow these guys on Instagram, they have some talent!
Sunset Photography tip 1 – Horizon
Something that really irks me is when people don’t take the time to ensure a straight horizon (or even fix it in after processing). When taking sunset photos, the horizon will normally be one of the main features, be sure it’s straight.
Sunset Photography tip 2 – Silhouettes
What defines a sunset photo more than some awesome contrast from a great shape silhouetted in the foreground? Just be sure to choose something that is easily recognisable to the viewer, such as a person or landmark, and that it is not too big that is dominates the image over the sunset. Creating this effect is really easy. Just ensure you are using a fast shutter speed which you can do by using the S setting on the camera.
And the sunsets on #Myanmarweek (and *coughs* 4days). This is one of my all time faveourites, capturing life on the bridge as the sunsets. The teak crossing that spans the Taungthaman Lake and is a main commuter route for locals who all seem to stop and chat as the sunsets. A gorgeous place. . . . . . #travel #travelgram #wanderlust #instatravel #travelphotography #thattravelblog #thetravelblogs #TravelStoke #lonelyplanet #bbctravel #justgoshoot #earth_deluxe #travellingthroughouttheworld #letsgoeverywhere #travelandlife #instadaily #travellingthroughtheworld #Myanmar #visitmyanmar #sunset #ubeinbridge #mandalay
Sunset Photography tip 3 – Forget what I said about silhouettes
While silhouette sunset photography is great, it’s not everything. If you find a great point of interest, show it off in all its glory. Now, this is a tricky skill as you’ll need to balance the shutter speed with the aperture to ensure the camera catches the detail without overexposing the background (#geeeeeeek!). If you understood that great! If not, I go back to my intro, invest some time in learning the basic DSLR skills, it doesn’t take long and you’ll be amazed what you can achieve.
Our little 2.0l petrol camper made it up the steep winding road to the highest point in the Vosges mountains…. Well, nearly – This is the car park entrance! . . . . #grandballon #alsace #sunset #sunsets #sunsetsunday #sunsetsundays #colours #contrasts
Sunset Photography tip 4 – Clouds
Cloudy day? Fear not, some of the best sunset photos come when there are whispy little clouds in the sky. Of course, it can be that too many clouds destroy a sunset, this is where you need the most important of all photography accessories, a cool beer to sip on and remember there is always tomorrow.
Sunset Photography tip 5 – Turn off auto white balance
I know, it sounds scary, WTF is white balance and how can I do it better than auto? It took me a while to dare to do this but seriously, it makes a huge difference. The feature is there to try and remove unrealistic colour casts and adjust the temperature of the photo. I just say play around with it. While the shade setting tends to work out quite well for photos, just try each one and find what you like.
Throwback Thursday to one very cold afternoon. @royalcaribbeanuk #extraordinaryexplorer #tbt
Sunset Photography tip 6 – The sun doesn’t have to be the star of the show
It’s very easy to focus on the sun and make sure it’s there, in the centre of every picture, however, this doesn’t have to be the case. Some of the nicest photos have the sun as the side of the frame letting the scenery take centre stage. Play around with composition.
” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/svg/1f1f9-1f1ed.svg”>The only redeeming factor is that it comes with an incredible sunset Koh Yao Yai, Thailand . . . . #thailand #travelgram #traveltheworld #wanderlust #paradise #sunset #sunsetlovers #passionpassport #igtravel #instatravel #travelingyourplanet #theglobewanderer #travelphotography #traveldiaries #travelmore #travelawesome #skyporn #travel #skyphotography #sunsets #vacation #kohyaoyai #tbt #holiday #scenery #mytinyatlas #welltravelled #welivetoexplore #worlderlust #orangeskySunset Photography tip 7 – Forget tip 6, the sun is the focal point
It’s a sunset photo, make it all about the sun and make it glorious!
Sunset Photography tip 8 – Wait . . . scrap everything, NO SUN!
Often people don’t hang around for what some refer to as the second set, the afterglow or the blue hour. Call it what you like, about 20 minutes after the sun has dipped over the horizon the sky has a habit of lighting up for a second time. So hang around and enjoy that beer I already mentioned you’ll need. This is especially useful for skyline photos.
Sunset Photography tip 9 – Do your research
This is a must. Sometimes the sun makes it easy for you and just drops nicely into an ocean, however, if you want to get a landmark or iconic building into it then you’ll need to spend sometime researching and know where to be so you’ll be ready when the sun sets.
Sunset Photography tip 10 (and most important) – Have fun
Whatever you do, don’t get carried away and focus too much on your photo that you can only remember the magic moment by looking at a picture. It is easy to get so distracted that you don’t pay attention to what is happening. Put your camera down, listen to the sounds, smell the aromas, feel the air, do a weird yoga pose, sip on your drink, create a memory so that in life’s most stressful moments, you can lean back in your chair, close your eyes and be taken back to that blissful moment in your mind.
Your Turn . . .
As you can see there are so many ways to take great sunset photos which is why they are so popular, they allow for so much creativity. Do you think I missed out any important tips for better sunset photos in this roundup? Be sure to let us know your tips in the comments below.
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While clicking for the sunset image try to use a neutral density filter. Neutral Density filter helps to enhance color. Apart from this, one can use HDR and other editing techniques, if you want more artistic feel in your image.
Love the Icelandic red dress sunset photo!! Of course they are all beautiful and your tips are great. I especially agree on a straight horizon line, if that is lost the whole photo looks awful.
thanks for sharing my photos from Thailand and Portugal! 🙂 I have only seen this post now and it’s awesome, both tips and all the photos. Great!
Thanks Lara, I enjoyed putting it together and happy to have you in it!
I loved every single tip.
I would surely start practicing them as from today!. ?
Your photo with the silhouettes is by far my favorite!
Completely agree about clouds adding something special to a sunset photo!
Beautiful! Turning off the auto WB feature is best, though these are things that can be corrected in the post. Nice set of adages for sunsets!
LI’ve these tips thanks for sharing a great post
Such a great list of practical tips, Matthew! I love sunsets and I can never get enough of pictures of this beautiful phenomenon. I will definitely give all of these hacks a try!
Great selection of photos and good tips! I am following a photography course this month and will prepare myself with testing some of your advices in the coming weeks 😀
Thanks! Awesome idea about the course. I was lucky, my dad was a pro so he taught me some stuff, but it is amazing what a little extra understanding can do to your pictures. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Awesome post! Thanks for using my photo of the sunset over the London skyline 🙂 (heelstoheeledge)
Thanks for contributing, it’s an awesome photo!