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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Predicting 'good' sunsets
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Showing posts 26 - 36 of 36, (reverse)
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 01/21/2006 08:04:12 AM · #26
Here is one of my favorites. I get more than half of my best shots after the sun has set. The clouds need to be above the horizon to allow the sun to illuminate the underside of the clouds.
01/21/2006 08:07:58 AM · #27
yes, clouds help, but i think the key is finding things to make the sunset unique and interesting.
01/21/2006 08:23:53 AM · #28
Someone else here talked of Florida. I find it a bit difficult in Florida to get a decent cloud formation for day or for sunset. As you can see by this photo, I considered myself lucky to have any clouds in the shot. They mentioned Dece. through April. I personally think the summers will be more fruitful. In summer, a storm arrives nearly every day at 3pm and usually after the storm is the best open clear cloud formations.

I did see one last week that was amazing though. An entire sky of pillowy red clouds. Problem was, I had just come from an outing with my son and husband and we were all anxious to get home. I had already taken about 200 shots and to ask them if they minded I stop for one more would have not gone over well. :) So I had to let that one go. But there will be more, I am sure.

Of course, nice subjects also make great sunsets. Silouettes, and some examples given here are amazing. I have a few favorite spots I have found so far, but not many. I intend to explore more in the future.

Rose
01/21/2006 08:31:08 AM · #29
This was an extremely hazy day in Oklahoma.

01/21/2006 08:38:08 AM · #30
Originally posted by doctornick:


Truly an excellant capture.

I turned 50 the day this was taken ;-)

Message edited by author 2006-01-21 08:54:15.
 01/21/2006 08:46:24 AM · #31
Originally posted by jhonan:
Are there any signs one should watch out for in the hours leading up to sunset which would identify a spectacular from a mediocre one?

For example, clouds high in the sky, or close to the horizon? - Haze or clear sky? - Changes in temperature?

Or is it a matter of just sitting there and being patient? :)


Sunny days are a good pre-requisite.
Next would be clouds for drama.
Then would be a good vantage point with potential focal points to include should you choose. Lastly is the preparation (setup) prior to sunset and the patience to shoot through dusk. The afterglow often has the best colors.
 01/21/2006 09:41:41 AM · #32
Another Florida camper here ~

I agree with fadedbeauty ~ december, january, february tend to be the best months. I live in Deland, but one of my favorite places to go for sunsets is Palm Island Park in Mt. Dora, Florida (Lake county). The position of the sun at this time of year just gives a great framing to the sunset. And usually, there's something interesting about it.



Elsewhere, I'm a big fan of JB's Fish Camp south of New Smyrna. You can often catch a splendid sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway. It seems like there's always clouds in the summer at sunset (from New Smyrna), but I like the variations that come from that.



My favorite, though, has gotta be from Key West. I've seen so many absolutely splendid sunsets from Key West. Just phenomenal. If only I could see more! LOL. Even when the sunset is "ruined" and clouded over, it comes out somewhat lovely to me.



All this talk has got me thirsting to go out this afternoon and catch a good sunset! LOL ~ great stuff on this page!

~ bacchus
 01/21/2006 09:46:25 AM · #33
Wish I could join you! Thunderstorms here for the next two days. UGGH. This also puts a "damper" on my wildlife shot as well.

Rose

Message edited by author 2006-01-21 09:46:36.
 01/21/2006 06:23:52 PM · #34
Forget sunsets, shoot nightscapes. Go somewhere north, nice and cold and away from light, and go wild.
 01/25/2006 06:03:23 AM · #35
biggest killer is low clouds. definitely need middle or high clouds. Haven't been in smog area but heard it does make great effects. Of course all that has been said (plus face east).

One trick I've learned is you can redeem so-so sunsets with a zoom of 200-300mm AND 5-10 minutes after sunset is often best. Exposure is easier b/c you don't deal directly with the sun. By zooming, you crop out the bad and get to pick the heart of the sunset.

Now, I'm shooting at sea so I don't ever have foreground/background elements to add to/distract from my photos so I can zoom to match the sunset. Occassionally I'm luck enough for a ship at the right spot on the horizon.
 01/25/2006 07:22:56 AM · #36
LA: Reminds me of Key West, actually. Even when you have a clouded, busted sunset ~ you can usually still get a great photograph out of it! But I do like to get somekind of foreground subject in those shots . . . a ship, or at least a dude in a kayak (who has all the right ideas)



Oh, to go back to Key West...

~ janson!
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