How to Photograph Sunsets and Get It Right

Unedited Sunset from One Liberty Observation Deck, Philadelphia, PA

Here's the garble-de-gook 

on taking a sunset photo. 

Background

I don't typically shoot in manual 

because I would just use the camera's meter to set my settings - 

so why not let the camera set it 

saving me the step?

  

Instead, I shoot in either Aperture or Shutter/Time Priority 

and let the camera select the alternate setting for a properly exposed image. 

For example:

If I select the aperture setting, I let the camera select the shutter speed. 

If I select the shutter speed, I let the camera select the aperture setting.

When in a pinch, 

like when I don't like the camera's selection, 

I use Exposure Compensation to adjust the camera's settings. 

It's quicker that switching to manual. 

In the case of a sunset, 

the camera almost always over-exposes the image 

giving a washed out look. 

To compensate for the camera 

not understanding that I am shooting a sunset, 

this is my quick fix: 

How To Get Rich Sunsets in Camera

1. Frame the sky above the sunset with the viewfinder. 

2. Press the focus button 1/2 way, 

it doesn't need to focus at this point 

you just want the meter reading. 

3. Hold your exposure lock button (*on Canon; AE-L on Nikon) 

to maintain that meter reading.  

4. Recompose/refocus over the sunset keeping 

the meter lock button held down.

5. Fire at will. 

Your colors will be true-not washout out. 

*Once you release the meter lock button, 

those settings will be released also. 

I do shoot in manual when the lighting is the same 

and always when using studio strobes.