Sunset Photography Tips

As we were finishing up editing our Siesta Key vacation photos, I realized that I should share some sunset photography tips.

 

Watching the sunset is one of our favorite things to do on vacation.  (We’re party animals.)  Watching the sun set is a very peaceful activity.  We should do it more at home.

My tips for sunset photos are to be quiet and be the least amount of annoying as possible.  Nate’s tips are a little more complicated because he’s a camera hog.  I mean, he’s in charge of the DSLR and he doesn’t trust others to take precious sunset photos. I did ask him to explain to me what he was doing while taking the photos. I think I learned something.

Equipment (*affiliate links):

• DSLR (We have a Nikon D5000)
• Optional:
  • Graduated Neutral Density Filter (Cokin Graduated Neutral Filter)
  • Tripod  (Manfrotto)
  • Remote (Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control)  

Tip #1: Set your camera on aperture priority. 

You should have a low ISO (~100, or higher if you do not have a tripod) and an F-stop of ~8 (for expanded depth of field). A tripod and remote will reduce camera shake, which would result in blurry photos.  If you don’t have a remote, you can set your self time for 2 seconds.

Tip #2:  Plan ahead and arrive early.

The sun sets quickly.  Scope out places during the day that will lend themselves to great sunset photos.  Look for interesting places where you will be able to see the sun track all the way down and where there will also be opportunities for shots that include foreground objects (ex. sail boats, trees, rocks, mountains) and silhouettes.

Arrive about a half hour before sunset.  This will give you time to set up your camera and allow you to be able to capture the entire sunset.  Take lots of photos.  The higher quantity of photos, the higher probability that you’ll get some great shots.

Always have your camera on you at sunset. It’s hard to tell if it will be a good one or not.  We left our camera behind on our last night in Florida and missed capturing the best sunset of the week. Womp, womp. 

Tip #3: Consider the Weather

Clear days can produce some awesome color but clouds increase the types of patterns and lights in the sky.

Tip #4: Composition is key.

The horizon should not be in the middle of the photo. Shoot for the upper 1/3 or lower 1/3.

This is also where your filter will come in handy.  The filter darkens the sky to even out the exposure (otherwise the sky will be bright and the ground will be dark).

Remember those foreground objects we mentioned in Tip #1.  Use them to add visual interest to your photo.  Sunsets are pretty on their own but photograph best with a focal point.

Tip #5:  Stick around after the sunset. 

Some of the best light can come just after the sun sets.

Do you prefer watching the sun rise or the sun set?  Or do you prefer to watch New Girl instead?

Linking up to: Home Stories A to Z

Outdoor Folding Chairs

How was your Memorial Day week-end (U.S. readers)?  How was your Monday (non-U.S. readers)?

Our long holiday week-end was a wet one.  It was cold and gloomy.  The only positive was that we could blame our lack of productivity on the weather and not on laziness.  Thanks, Mother Nature.

We did get some stuff done.  Nate finished building our outdoor patio table (more on that next week).  Ike napped and barked at the poodle across the street.  I did some housewife stuff and a little painting.  I also did some successful thrifting.

A new antique store opened in town, The Antique Cartel.  The store has great displays, isn’t crammed with stuff and the items are priced well.  I shouldn’t be telling you all about this.  Don’t steal my bargains. My first visit didn’t disappoint.  I instantly fell in love with these chairs.

I have had my eye on some West Elm outdoor folding chairs.  The West Elm chairs are $98 per chair.  Yeah.  $100 to sit outside.  Did I mention that I also need eight of them?  Yeah.  Dream big, Michelle.

The antique chairs above were $8 per chair. Are they in perfect condition?  No. Are they sturdy? Yes. Do they have some awesome charm and character?  Yes.  And they were $90 cheaper than the ones I had been drooling over.  Think I’ll take that $720 and do something fun.  Like pay off the mortgage. (Being married to an accountant is hard.)

Speaking of the mutant, I sent Nate a text to stop and check them out.  He approved without hesitation.  Amazing.  That never happens.

We loaded eight of them up and hauled them home.  (I only drug four out of the garage for blog photo purposes.  I’ll blame it on the potential for a downpour and not laziness.)

I am currently working on cleaning them up. I’m also going to give them a quick coat of poly to help them hold up against the elements.  We don’t use our back patio a ton so I think we’ll store them inside beings they fold up easily.

Man, I love a good bargain.

How was your week-end?  Any great finds lately?

Weekend DIY

Who’s ready for a 3 day weekend?

Ike and I have a five day weekend.  We’re lucky kids.  We squandered most of yesterday with a side of cleaning.  Today we are going to be super productive.  Well, I am. I don’t know about Ike.  He looks pretty sleepy.  (As you can tell, he worked his way back into the bedroom.)

Speaking of luck, yesterday Apartment Therapy featured my little brother’s kitchen in a post of Weekend DIYs: 10 Wood Molding Projects for the Home.

Last Memorial Day Nate and I helped him add molding and paint his kitchen cabinets.  It was quite the upgrade.

This Memorial Day week-end will be a little more relaxed.  We do plan on busting out the saw and Kreg jig.  We’re going to mix the building with some hiking, thrifting, movie watching and a birthday party for a cool blogger's kid.  Should be fun!

What are your week-end plans?  Do tell.