Sunset Frustration

[CarlTN]

I am a inpatient photographer. Last night, there was a brilliant red sunset lighting up half the sky. I went into the house, mounted my 16-35mmL, and back out to the front yard. By then, it was mostly gone. I took 4 or 5 shots a few seconds apart.

I admire those who wait and capture that right moment, but I never seem to make it.

Here are the examples, not processed or enhanced. you can see how fast that sunset goes away. less than 30 sec, and I missed about 2 minutes of it.

I'm surprised you would have any trouble shooting sunsets. A sunset is one of the most photographed subjects there is. I once had an exchange on a Photo magazine's website, with a photographer who judges photo contests...and had posted an article about how he was extremely tired of looking at sunset photos!

I don't think it takes that much patience, you just have to be ready to shoot a bit before sunset. Patience comes when you're standing out there without having applied deet, and you get bit by mosquitos! It happens to me, sometimes even when I apply a ton of it...

Here's a recent one I shot at 120mm in portrait mode with my Sigma 120-400 zoom lens and my 6D, on a monopod with IS switched off. I've done better sunset images than this (at various focal lengths from wide to telephoto, and with various cameras), but I still like this one. It needs a bit more tweaking but it basically looked like this to the naked eye. I kind of want it to look slightly more extreme...so far edited only in LR.

As you note, timing is the issue, and I'm too impatient to sit down and wait for that golden moment, usually the sky is too clear, and just the right amount of clouds really helps reflect those bright colors.

Sure, If I were determined to get the image, I could do it, but living on a small farm, there is always work to do, particularly in the morning and at sunset.

Even so, I just don't place a high priority on capturing the sunset.

That's too bad.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

I am a inpatient photographer. Last night, there was a brilliant red sunset lighting up half the sky. I went into the house, mounted my 16-35mmL, and back out to the front yard. By then, it was mostly gone.

I still remember my first attempt at a sunset photo (back in 1995) ... I saw this beautiful sunset from home ... so I thought it'd be awesome to make the image at the beach and drove 1.5 miles on my scooter ... only to feel like a dumb ass to see the beautiful sunset disappear :-[

 

[Halfrack]

Mother Nature is a downright tease - gives you the best look and when you get your camera out, it's gone.

 

[ams2d]

I can understand your frustration. I've grabbed my camera and heading to one of my favorite spots only to be too late or the conditions changed.

But sometimes ...


Eagle_Creek_106


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SunsetEC_20July2013-3

 

[cpsico]

I like to check sunset times and plan to be there 30 min ahead , also check the forecast for storms coming in or out for the really interesting sunsets

 

[cpsico]

This was planned, it turned out well this time. Other times have. Been duds, too cloudy, people in the way etc