I used to think that this was the best sunset picture I've ever taken ~ a perfect round globe in a graduated orange sky, against an inky black sea, with just a touch of texture to it.
But although I still love this shot, taken in Cartagena, Colombia, last New Year, I've started to think that there's limited mileage in it after its initial arresting impression.
That got me considering ways in which we can make sunrise and sunset photography grab and hold the viewer's attention for longer.
Here are my top tips:
1. Choose an interesting or unusual foreground subject
The symmetrical position of these five birds and the crisp lines of the telegraph wires work nicely against the dappled pink end-of-day sky...
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Saul Junction, Gloucestershire |
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Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire |
West Norwood, London |
A good shot doesn't necessarily depend on a clear sky ~ unusual cloud formations can provide extra interest...
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Key West, Florida |
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Cartagena, Colombia |
The Golden Hour, when the sky still has some blueness to it, can give an ethereal glow to your picture and light up everything that falls in the sun's path...
Copenhagen, Denmark |
Obvious I know if you're seeking sunrises... You'll be rewarded for your trouble when you settle into a good spot which lets local wildlife get used to you and return to business as usual as the sun comes up...
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Miami Beach, Florida |
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West Norwood, London |
It's not just on the beach where you'll bag a great shot...
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Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire |
Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire |
6.Use silhouettes
The blackness of the subject against a bright sky gives a more unsual take...
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London |
Copenhagen, Denmark |
7. Remember it doesn't have to be red or orange!
The sepia yellow tones in this shot of the River Nile make a refreshing change from more traditional sunset colours...
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Luxor, Egypt |
Hello! Nice series and article. My fave at the moment is the setting sun taken taken through the window of an office block on the skyline. Blog's lookin' good btw, I have been remiss in not visiting enough and will add myself to the subscription list!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) I'm really enjoying shooting and blogging again these days after a bit of a quiet period with it all. The photo you mention was taken from the terrace of a friend's former apartment (dare I say penthouse!) in Greenwich - that was some place he had, I can tell you!
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