While
sunrise or sunset photos are a staple for photographers on the road,
it's not exactly the sun that they are after. It's the dramatic change
in colors and hues in the horizon during the break of dawn or setting
sun. The sun projects a horizontal light which can sometimes be at eye
level with the photographer, it does well in casting shadows, and
bathing everything in sight in throes of different shades and colors.
It's the time of the day when light is naturally saturated in colors.
While
I mentioned that its not the sun that photographers are after.
Composing a great Sunrise or Sunset photos are a challenge for
composition. The first and obvious trick is for the photographer to
realise that the sun is not the central focus here, it is merely the
source of ambient light. Like many landscape photographs, finding a
great foreground and subject also works here.
What
is there to look out for when capturing the sun, is the rays that it
cast. Shadows on cloudy horizon can make your pictures less boring or
the sun's reflection over the water. The changing temperatures from cold
to warm also works wonders even when you are shooting on the same spot,
you'll get a different photograph altogether.
In
ambient light, this photo looks cold. In different hues of blue and the
boats shadows making up for a good foreground over the waters, with the
horizon in shades of purple.
Capturing
the sun's reflection in the water, is probably the only exception to
the rule of thirds. This type of setting can allow you to put the
horizon of the subject in the center while keeping the interest in the
photo. In this photograph, I waited for that moment when the slow moving
boat would make contact with sun's reflection in the water. To capture
movement and direction, I decided on the last second to pan the photo a
little to the right so as to capture the water ripples that the boat
leaves behind.
Capturing
silhouettes and shadows is another trick that can be done. Silhouttes
give your photo that boost of drama. I have many jump shot photos where
the subject is hidden in shadows. Placing the focus in front of the
light source does the trick, you just have to look out for the shapes
making sure that it is interesting.
A
change in temperature can change a lot. See that the foreground in this
photo is the same as the first photo, but this time the sun is already
peeking in the horizon, casting warm light. As it does, the shadows
intensified, making the corners of the photo darker but still capturing
shadows.
Since
I am using a kitlens, the maximum zoom in still allows the chance to
capture distant movement. Though movement depends on the location
itself, this photo shows the different hues in the sky, while the people
on the boat cast a perfect shadow, the trails in the water provides a
sense of direction.
Francis Balgos
is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker,
Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast,
Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, True Explorer...
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