The shoot what are you trying to achieve?

A sunset what are you trying to achieve?

This time last year we published an article in response to a readers question about tricky outdoor lighting situations. Basically the beach is an ideal glamour set, yet lighting to achieve the ultimate pictures is difficult. Harsh lighting, and very harsh shadows combine to make things as difficult as possible. This previous (close window to return) article covers it in full detail and answers most of the questions, but there is one other tricky light opportunity to produce a great picture. Sunset!


This picture was taken about an hour before sunset. The raking light as the sun gets lower in the sky. The softness and warm tones bring yet another dimension to a great picture.	These two pictures capture a sunset of stunning colour and vitality. The photographer has used the model to actually block the sun in the shot and taken full advantage of the silhouette produced.

The first thing we all need to remember about sunsets is they are not guaranteed! You can go to the location for days on end, equipment, model in tow and sit patiently and watch the sun disappear into the horizon with hardly a flicker of worthwhile sky. So once you have made the decision to capture the sunset you need to be prepared for a long wait. Of course it may happen that you are there on a shoot anyway and it becomes obvious there is going to be a stunner. If that happens then make sure you have some extra rolls of film saved for the final 20 minutes.

I always survey the area I plan to shoot a sunset. I go alone and watch the sun go down so I know exactly where it is going to disappear. I walk up and down selecting where the best position for a model and myself will be to capture the best images.

Another thing to remember is that as the sun goes down the light is changing rapidly and becomes really weak so a tripod is almost a necessity. Depending on where you are in the world also affects how long it will last. So time it when you have your survey. Late evening as the temperature of the sun is warming dramatically make your start. Get some nice shots, remembering that the skin tones will be wonderful. If you use a beach and it is light sand it will have reflective qualities and help light the shadow side of your subject. This is all in the previous article.

Once the sun has reached the point it is close to the horizon it starts to get tricky. In this and only this occasion ignore your model, and take a reading of the sky. Then make sure they are in front of the sun and take your pictures. This will produce nice results, however to get that little bit of rim lighting, and produce something better than good you really will need to bracket your shots. Every sunset is different and it doesn't matter how many you take, you will not be able to guess how the pictures will look. In these particular circumstances I would suggest a full stop either side.

Also remember these are silhouette shots and need to be thought about differently. Here you are capturing the models shape so ensure she is sideways on the camera and shape is visible rather than form. You have to work fast as this last 10 minutes can lose you 6 stops in this time. Practice naturally improves your work, but unless you are lucky enough to live near a beach that produces sunsets regularly then preparation is everything.

I have used pictures on a beach because I believe that to produce a great sunset shot there needs to be water. It reflects the wonderful colours and the ripples cause a fantastic effect on the differing hues. So a beach, or a lake is really the only place to consider a great sunset. The lower half of your model would disappear into the background unless all of them is in front of something light. Notice the 2nd and 3rd picture above.

Filters?

Can anyone take a sunset without adding a sunset filter? Well if you have a good sunset you don't need a filter. The colours and reflective light will give you all you need. If it's not a great sunset you can use a filter, but it will distinctly lack the vibrancy of the real thing. Please if it's a sunset that makes you and the model go "WOW" then don't use a filter. Why try to improve on the real thing.

It will probably be one of the hardest shoots you have ever tried, but boy when it works what an addition to your and your models portfolio.

RETURN