Help with sunset shots.

[shawnrgr]

I just got my first digital camera in december. (Fujifilm FinePix E550) Once I got the hang of it my pictures were coming out great. However this evening we had a beautiful sunset sky. I wanted to take a few shots of it through the trees in our back yard. I must have tried all the settings I could think of. I've attached an example of what 99% of my shots looked like after I took them.... If anyone can help me out, I'd be greatful.

[John_Reed]

I just got my first digital camera in december. (Fujifilm FinePix E550) Once I got the hang of it my pictures were coming out great. However this evening we had a beautiful sunset sky. I wanted to take a few shots of it through the trees in our back yard. I must have tried all the settings I could think of. I've attached an example of what 99% of my shots looked like after I took them.... If anyone can help me out, I'd be greatful.That's an odd result, for sure. I sometimes see lines like that in my EVF or LCD when I'm pointing into the Sun, but they don't show up in the image. Tell me, were you shooting in the highest quality mode? (i.e., 12MP images) Were you using RAW or JPEG image format? Maybe it would help if you listed all your camera settings when you took the shot?

[D70FAN]

I just got my first digital camera in december. (Fujifilm FinePix E550) Once I got the hang of it my pictures were coming out great. However this evening we had a beautiful sunset sky. I wanted to take a few shots of it through the trees in our back yard. I must have tried all the settings I could think of. I've attached an example of what 99% of my shots looked like after I took them.... If anyone can help me out, I'd be greatful.

Actually, it looks like you were shooting through a window and caught some reflections.

if this is the case then you need to put the lens on, or very close to, the window to avoid reflections.

[shawnrgr]

I wish that was the case, but I was outside when taking the pictures. I can't figure it out.

[shawnrgr]

That's an odd result, for sure. I sometimes see lines like that in my EVF or LCD when I'm pointing into the Sun, but they don't show up in the image. Tell me, were you shooting in the highest quality mode? (i.e., 12MP images) Were you using RAW or JPEG image format? Maybe it would help if you listed all your camera settings when you took the shot?


I changed the settings so many timestrying to get a good result, so I can't really remember any specific setting that gave me problems. However I was shooting in 12MP N mode (jpeg). I will have to take some shots tomorrow and remeber the settings.

Anyone now what good settings are for outsite sunset shots at dusk?

[TheObiJuan]

how about the exif info?
if you shoot at f8 or a smaller f-stop it could be causing this.
i know that i get a twinkle in my suns when I do that. I understand that yours is not exactly a twinkle, but still close.

[speaklightly]

Hi Shawnrgr-

Sunsets are fun. Let me share with you a few techniques, if I may please. First, let's ignore the first example, as there was some confusion and many settings were used to a point on not remembering. Not to worry I have done the very same thing myself.

When you see a beautiful sunset, I would like you to automatically think of the exposure compensation feature on your E-550. It is the plus and minus symbol just on the left hand side of your camera's LCD screen.

Here is what to do for a sunset shot:

(1) Make sure that the sun is low in the sky. About 10 degrees above the horizon line. If the sun is higher in the sky, be on the lookout for something to reduce the sun's brightness. For example, is the sun covered by clouds, or obscured by a tree etc, thus reducing the sun's brilliance? If it is, you can take the shot. Otherwise wait for a bit until the sun gets lower in the sky to about the 10 degree point.

(2) Turn your E-550 on, and using the blue Fotometry button to the right of the LCD, set your camera to the ISO 200 position. Now place the Mode Selector in the "P" for program position.

(3) Now press and hold the Exposure Compensation button to the left of the LCD screen.

(4) At the same time, click your 4 way controller in the 9 o'clock position 3 times. Now, release the Exposure Compensation button. Please notice that the EXP Comp scale screen stays displayed on your LCD and is now at the midway point on the minus side of the scale. Your camera can set as much as -2.0 EV (exposure value) or +2.0 EV. By using the four way controller in either the nine o'clock position or the three o'clock position, you are able to either decrease or increase the exposure that your camera computes in 0.3 EV increments. By clicking your four way controller three times in the nine o'clock position, your are now telling your camera that you want to us -1.0 EV. Therefore we are reducing the exposure that the camera will use for the next shot by -1.0 EV. That -1.0 EV is the equivalent to reducing the camera's computed exposure by on F stop, because each full EV is equal to a F stop. What you have done is you are now using a tiny bit LESS light to take the photo. Your camera can use either plus exp comp or minus exp comp. For a sunsets, we want to use minus exp comp because by using minus exp comp you will darken the image slightly and enhance the color saturation.

(5) Leaving the camera's Mode Selector in the "P" for Program position, take your sunset photo.

(6) Look at the photo that you just took on your camera's LCD screen. If the sun in the photo is too bright and it overwhelms everything in the photo, do this: repeat step (4) and increase the amount of minus Exp Comp. If only the sun is showing and no other detail can be seen, do this: reduce the Exp Comp, by using step (4), but pushing your four way controller in the three o'clock position, instead of the nine o'clock position. So please understand this; there is a degree of trial and error process involved in this procedure. You are going to adjust the light using your Exp Comp feature until you get a photo of what you are seeing with your eyes.

(7) When you have the photo that you want, push the Exp Comp button to the left of the LCD again, and hold it. Using the four way controller return the Exp Comp to the zero point on the scale. You do this step because your camera will retain the Exp Comp command and you want to return your camera to its normal exposure mode.

Because I conduct digital camera workshops all over the world, I am not here all the time. Thus I don't have a fancy service that lets me display sample photos on screen on this website, like my good friend, John Reed. However, if you will send me a private message with your e-mail address, I will send you a link to three sample sunset photos that I have uploaded to www.webshots.com and we can discuss exactly how each was taken. Perhaps that will give you a better idea of the "desired look" in some typical sunset shots.

Anyone else who is reading this, can do the same thing and we will make this a group lesson. Good luck with your sunsets, and I will look forward to hearing from you.

Sarah Joyce

[John_Reed]

I use a more "seat of the pants" approach, taking advantage of the fact that you can generally point these digital cameras into the sun without hurting them. I usually use "spot" metering, and I just "dial in" the color contrast I want by scanning the scene through the LCD/EVF, freeze it by half-depressing the shutter button, re-framing the shot, and shooting it. Here are a series of shots like that:
Sunset from barge on Burgundy Canal (Nikon CP990, 2001):
http://newton-i.usefilm.com/5/6/5/565/144854-large.jpg
Sunrise over the Sea of Cortez (FZ1, 2003):
http://newton-i.usefilm.com/9/8/3/983/251744-large.jpg
Sunset over the Hudson (FZ1, 2003):
http://newton-i.usefilm.com/1/2/4/6/1246/319090-large.jpg
Sunset over Lake Chautauqua (FZ10, 2004):
http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/13492350-M.jpg
But I still think there's something wrong with the original poster's camera, if maybe only the fact that he's shooting in the "12MP" mode, where the camera is creating half of the image pixels for the shot.

[speaklightly]

John-

Thanks for the great sunset photos. Yes, I think it has to do with the 12mp setting as well. I try the formula approach because there was no indication of his/her experience.

I pulled out the Fuji E-550 so I could give specific instructions. As long as it is out I will try a sunset this evening in 12mp anf see if I can duplicate the "effect."

Sarah Joyce

[D70FAN]

Hi Shawnrgr-

Because I conduct digital camera workshops all over the world, I am not here all the time. Thus I don't have a fancy service that lets me display sample photos on screen on this website, like my good friend, John Reed. However, if you will send me a private message with your e-mail address, I will send you a link to three sample sunset photos that I have uploaded to www.webshots.com and we can discuss exactly how each was taken. Perhaps that will give you a better idea of the "desired look" in some typical sunset shots.

Anyone else who is reading this, can do the same thing and we will make this a group lesson. Good luck with your sunsets, and I will look forward to hearing from you.

Sarah Joyce

While your methodology above is very good, I tend to use the same method as John. I shoot primarily in AP mode and on-the-fly, so I try to let the camera do all the work when possible. This was the case with all of digitals I've had over the years starting with a Kodak D50.

I think Jons posting method is just cut-n-paste, as this site allows you to import/attach pictures. I prefer to post up on smugmug.com for $30 a year, and then just direct viewers to that site. I'm not sure why you can't direct viewers to www.webshots.com and let them cruise your warez. :)

There are a few on-the-fly sunsets here. Not great, but passable. Feel free to wander...

http://d70fan.smugmug.com/gallery/148551/1/6655913

[speaklightly]

It was a pleasure to wander through the gallery. Thanks, Geoge!

Sarah Joyce

[D70FAN]

It was a pleasure to wander through the gallery. Thanks, Geoge!

Sarah Joyce

Thanks.

I just wish I had time to do more. I have used the smugmug site mainly for people wanting to see what the Tamron 28-300 and Sigma 18-125 lenses can do on a D70.