Visual Wilderness
  • Get Started
  • Shop
    • SPECIAL OFFERS
    • STREAMING SERVICE
    • Browse by Topic
    • Learn To Shoot
    • Post Processing
    • Online Classes
    • eBooks
    • Landscape Photography Guide
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Guest Photographers
  • About
  • My Account
    • My Account
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart
Landscape photography with sharp focus from Death Valley by Varina Patel

Do I have to shoot silhouettes at sunset?

April 16, 2014/in Fieldwork, Post Processing, Q and A/by Varina Patel

I recently received the following question from a frequent reader:

“The foreground of my sunset photos turns out completely black. I’ve tried changing my aperture and shutter speed settings but with no luck. What am I doing wrong?”

This is a really good question, and it’s a problem that every landscape photographer runs into eventually. It’s important to realize that, on its own, a camera can’t handle the broad range of light in a sunrise or sunset photo, especially if you are shooting towards the sun. You have a few options for resolving this issue. First, you could use a Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter to help reduce the overall range of light. A GND filter can reduce the brightness of the sky without affecting the lower portion of the scene.

Flood on Fire - Varina Patel

A graduated neutral density filter reduces the brightness of the sky so that I can capture the entire range of light with a single exposure.

Secondly, when a GND filter won’t work, you could bracket your shots and combine them later in Photoshop or other photo editing software. The image below required three exposures blended together in Photoshop before the final image properly reflected the scene as I personally viewed it.

Enlightenment - Varina Patel

Sometimes, a GND filter won’t work. I blended three exposures in Photoshop to produce a finished image that represents the scene as I saw it.

Finally, if you don’t have access to a GND filter or photo editing software, consider shooting in conditions where the range of light is reduced. If the sun is setting, try shooting with the sun behind you. Sometimes colors are just as beautiful in the opposite direction of the setting sun. And your camera can handle that range of light far more effectively than when shooting towards the sun.

Coloring Book

You can capture all the detail you need in a single exposure if you shoot away from the sun. No need for filters or blending.

The colors in nature are absolutely gorgeous during early morning and as the sun sets in the evening. Don’t hesitate to try these different techniques to create sunrise and sunset photos that more accurately reflect your personal experiences of nature’s true beauty.

About Author Varina Patel

There is nothing more remarkable to me than the power of nature. It is both cataclysmic and subtle. Slow and continuous erosion by water and wind can create landscapes every bit as astonishing as those shaped by catastrophic events – and minuscule details can be as breathtaking as grand vistas that stretch from one horizon to the other. Nature is incredibly diverse. Burning desert sands and mossy riverbanks… Brilliant sunbeams and fading alpenglow… Silent snowfall and raging summer storms… Each offers a unique opportunity. I am irresistibly drawn to the challenge of finding my next photograph, and mastering the skills required to capture it effectively.

Website | Google+ | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Tags: Exposure
You might also like
Multiple Camera Exposure - Fun, Creative Techniques to Try Blog Post by Josh CrippsMultiple Camera Exposure – Fun, Creative Techniques to Try
When To Use High ISO for Nature Photography Blog Post by Kate SilviaWhen To Use High ISO for Landscape and Nature Photography
Cover for tips for creating the perfect sunstar for landscape photography blog post by Erin BabnikTips for Creating the Perfect Sunstar for Landscape Photography
Storm in Canadian Rockies by landscape photographer Charlotte GibbWhy Landscape Photographers Should Expose To The Right
A Beginner's Guide to Histograms in Photography Blog Post by Kate SilviaA Beginner’s Guide to Camera Histograms in Photography
Cover for landscape photography blog about exposure in photography by Jay PatelIndispensable Lessons for setting Exposure in Photography
2 replies
  1. William
    William says:
    January 5, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Since purchasing several of you videos, I have become a follower of your work and enjoy the tips. Thank you for sharing your experience.

    • Jay Patel
      Jay Patel says:
      January 11, 2015 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks William…This means a lot to us.

Comments are closed.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER

Join 45,000+ Nature Photographers and get the free eBooks, free creativity course & discount codes right in your inbox.

loader

Note: We never share your email address with anyone. More Info.

Blog | Shop | About

 Email Policy  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms

INFOCUS NEWSLETTER

Join 45,000+ other photographers and get the Free eBooks, Free Creativity Course & Discount Codes right in your inbox.


loader

Note: We never share your email address with anyone. More Info.

All Rights Reserved, © Copyright Visual Wilderness

VW Monthly Roundup – March 2014VW Weekly Roundup – 21st April 14
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OK

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy
Learn More
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY NEWSLETTERJoin 45,000+ Nature Photographers

Unlock Your Photography Potential! Get Free Webinars, Tips, eBooks, and More Delivered Straight to Your Inbox! 📸✨

We never share your email address with anyone. More Info.

Enter your email address