How To Get The Most Out Of A Sunset

I’ve been interested in landscape photography for about three years now, ever since my first cruise to the Caribbean and I saw the most magical sunset. During my research and my path to becoming a more educated amateur I learned there are a few things that need to happen before I dive into landscape photography that are general rules that only make sense but work!

1.      Research Your Locations

If you are planning a photography trip then it’s important to do some research beforehand. Use the internet to find as much information as you can about your destination. Try to identify potential places of interest and find out the best times of the year to go – some places are much more photogenic in certain seasons while others look great all year round. Try to avoid peak tourist seasons though, as busy places mean more people to get in the way of your shots.

There are some great tools to help you prepare for your trip. Google Maps and Google Earth allow you to get a good idea of exactly how things will look.

2.      Check the Place Out

Once your trip has started the research isn’t quite over yet. While the internet allows you to plan and prepare for your trip, nothing beats being on location in terms of finding the best spots to take photos from. Explore the area in the middle of the day when the light is too harsh to take photos. 

3.      Getting An Idea

Once you have found a good location you still need to decide how to compose your shot. This is a very subjective area and it’s quite hard to describe what makes a good composition and what doesn’t.

• Avoid clutter. Keep it clean and simple.
• Include the foreground. Foreground elements such as rocks, water, etc help to balance out the photo and also draw the viewer into the shot.
• Avoid placing the horizon or the focus of the photo in the dead center.

4.      Lighting

Once the hard work of scouting has been done, it’s now a matter of turning up to your chosen location and waiting for the right time to click the shutter. This is, however, when things become out of your control and you are completely dependent on Mother Nature.

The best times for taking photos are the hours around sunrise and sunset, commonly referred to The Golden Hours by photographers, as these are when the light is at its best.