Joshua shows us the best tips and tricks for getting that perfect sunset picture!
Trying to get that perfect sunset picture? The ones that look so surreal it makes you do a double-take? We have all been there. Turns out, sometimes it’s not as simple as just clicking the capture button. But not to worry, The Shutter School knows what to do.
Sunset Colors
The key to sunset photos is capturing the most color from the sky that you possibly can while still focusing on the subject. In the video, Joshua was in a great position for this. Being on top of a mountain surely helped achieve the vibrant color palette we’re looking for.
Primary tip: the best way to accentuate the beautiful colors of a sunset is by underexposing the scene completely in your camera’s settings.
Secondary tip: wait about 20-30 minutes after sunset (twilight) for the most vibrant color. This is when an abundance of color is coming from the sky, and minimal light is coming from the sun.
Add Flash
Now that the sunset is doing its thing ever so naturally, it’s time to incorporate the subjects. Unfortunately, since we underexposed the scene to get the best color, the subjects are almost impossible to see.
Thanks to equipment, we can fix this. Joshua brought his MagBox 24″ to add flash to the couple. Once the flash is set up, the couple becomes visible and the colors are breathtaking. Using flash adds just the right amount of light to the subjects while still keeping the environment dark.
When editing, you can enhance the contrast of the portrait to really bring out those colorful areas and keep the dark ones more obscure.
Go Watch the Sunset
Practicing this tip at home shouldn’t be much of a burden if you ask us! You get to watch a sunset in the process. Taking pictures during sunset or twilight is a great opportunity to get familiar with your camera settings and your equipment. Try it out, and good luck!
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