Getting the perfect shot of a sunrise or sunset is one of the most gratifying moments in a photographer’s career. The timing must be absolutely perfect, and the picture must be flawless as well to make sure you get that once in a lifetime shot. Sunsets and sunrises are some of the most popular, and gorgeous photos that one can take. There are several tips and tricks that I can offer in order to help make capturing these magical moments easier.
One of the hardest things you have to do in order to film a sunset/sunrise perfectly is to be there on time! Check your weather app and make sure you are at least 15-20 minutes early to your shoot destination, in order to ensure you have ample time to set up. The weather app will tell you at what time the sun is supposed to rise and set during the day, making it easier. Set the alarm a little earlier, to ensure that you don’t miss the perfect moment because sunrises and sunsets come and go quickly!
The image of a sunset or sunrise can easily become cluttered due to the sheer magnitude of the horizon. In order to help combat this problem, start by filming the scene in the widest mode your camera has to offer, in order to ensure that you get the entire scene. By starting off wide, you can then zoom in the perfect amount to get the shot you are looking for and make sure that the sunset/sunrise is the focal point of your work.
If you really want to make your film pop during a sunrise or sunset, placing something in front of the whole scene may be a good idea. Flowers are a fantastic thing to add to your sunset/sunrise shot since they are just as colorful as the sky. Even doing something as silhouetting the plant in front of the setting/rising sun can lead to a gorgeous blend of colors. By doing this, you can make your shots looks more unique and stand out more.
Another absolutely vital thing to remember when filming the sunset and sunrise is to remember where the sun rises and sets! It sounds simple, but the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Sometimes in certain locations, the entire scene is not visible, so make sure that the corresponding direction is visible from where you intend to shoot. By doing this, you can save yourself the heartache of planning to go somewhere, only to realize you can’t even see the sunset/rise!
Do you have a preference as to filming either sunrises or sunsets? If so, why?