Ever wondered how photographers can capture such amazing landscape images? It truly is a combination of skill, equipment, the individual talent, and the time of day. Good photographers know the best times to shoot just as much as they know the best places to shoot. Their are magic times to create images and the moment the sun peaks over the horizon is certainly one of those times.

Dawn is a photographer’s time to capture the light and one of the most amazing times to take images. Landscape shots are some of the most amazing at dawn whether you are looking to capture the sun breaking dawn, water droplets on grass, of the mist that rolls in every morning. Of course the hardest part of shooting at dawn is being awake to capture the magic! Take a look at the inspirational photos we have found on Flickr and use them as motivation to set your alarm for extra early and go out shooting dawn images. Scout in the days ahead for the perfect location to shoot your dawn images, arrive before the sun breaks the horizon, and see what magic YOU can create!

There is something about the serenity of early morning hours that can make your images magical. Get out there and shoot! You never know what you can get until you try. Let us know what you come up with. Feel free to comment on your experiences shooting in the magical morning hours.

PS: Did you know that if you click on an image it will take you to the photographer’s Flickr account? Check out more dawn Images!

Looking for another magical time of day to shoot? Sunset Photography is another magical time of day to capture images. Pick up your camera and go make magic!

Check back for more amazing Dawn Images!

Coastal landscapes are considered to be one of the best subjects of most landscape photographers. Because of the sheer beauty and magnificence of the location, it is easy for photographers to produce stunning images using their camera. Nevertheless, there are several guidelines that photographers must consider when it comes to doing coastal landscape photography. This will help them produce striking photos of the coast and become experts in coastal pictorials.

Coastal Images Tip #1: Getting Pictures at the Right Time

Although coastal photos can be taken anytime of the day, most photographers who consistently produce amazing images of the coast typically favor the golden and the blue hour to shoot. Getting coastal photographs before sunrise or after sunset enable photographers to utilize the wonderful lighting conditions making it effortless for them to capture a beautiful image.

Coastal Images Tip #2: Make Use of an ND Grad Filter

One of the secret ingredients in capturing a wonderful coastal landscape photograph is the use of an ND grad filter. This is a vital tool that most landscape photographers use to have a striking image of the coast. This makes it easier for professional photographers to get the right exposure of the skies and as well as the fore and mid-ground.

Coastal Images Tip #3: Minimize Camera Shake

Shooting an image in a low-light setting requires coastal photographers to have a stable hold of the camera. Because of this, advance beginners and neophytes can always rely on using tripods. Aside from this, photographers can also employ a remote shutter release, which is standard in most DSLRs.

Coastal Images Tip #4: Always Remember the Importance of Foreground

Most coastal photographers concentrate on capturing the beauty and the wonderful colors of the sky. This makes them forget about the importance of foreground and how it can add interest and uniqueness to the coastal landscape picture. This is why photographers must first scout for the perfect location to shoot so that interesting foregrounds can also add substance to the picture’s composition.

Coastal Images Tip #5: The Shutter Speed and Water

Coastal photographers should keep in mind that taking pictures of the coastal landscape bathed in low lighting should be used with fast shutter speed. This will prevent the water from looking blurred or misty. Although some photographers would like to have that kind of effect, it is necessary to know how to adjust the shutter speed and as well as the other camera settings in order to come up with the preferred lighting effect for the photograph. This can be a challenge for some photographers; however, they can always select a location where there is more light around. Aside from this, photographers can also try shooting with wider apertures or enhance the ISO. However, neither of these options can provide wonderful effects for coastal landscapes.

Coastal Images Tip #6: The Beauty of Black and White

A lot of photographers like to shoot coastal landscapes because of the wonderful and vibrant colors of the location. However, stunning images can also be produced with the use of simple black and white photography. Photographers should always do test shoots in order to master the effects of black and white. This will help them capture wonderful pictures of the coast without having any color.

Coastal Images Tip #7: Turn Around

Most photographers capture photographs looking towards the sun. This is common especially during sunsets and sunrise periods of the day. However, wonderful photos can also be taken in other directions especially if there are clouds in the area. This can produce lights that register beautifully behind the lens and can create a wonderful effect to the picture. Because of this, it is important to consider the rest of the sky to locate a perfect setting to capture a breathtaking coastal landscape photograph.

Check back for more tips on Coastal Landscape Photography

Sunset Photography Tips and Tricks:

Sunset Photography – Tip #1: Think Ahead

Occasionally it is possible to take a spontaneous photograph of a stunning sunset or sunrise and get beautiful results without trying. Planning your sunset photography for best results leaves a lot less to luck and ensures that you’ll get better results more often. You can scope out the best places to capture your sunsets before you shoot – perhaps even taking a day or two to search out the best spots. The most interesting places for sunset photography are not always the ones where you can see the whole of the sunset, but perhaps places where you can include interesting silhouettes or other foreground elements in the pictures. The sunset might last only an hour or so, so be prepared or you might actually miss the best shots in your hurry to get them.

Find out about where you can watch the sun rise and set and get there at least half an hour before the event; the real magic often happens before the sun is actually in sight, or after it has disappeared over the horizon.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Different sunsets, with very different light patterns and colors, are reliant of different weather conditions. Unsettled or cloudy days often allow for the best photo opportunities so don’t just head out on the clearest day and hope for the best. Interesting effects also happen when there is dust or smoke in the air – just be aware of the conditions and experiment for the best results.

Sunset Photography – Tip #2: Vary Your Focus

A variety of different shots, taken at different focal lengths, make for an interesting collection of sunset photography. Shoot with wide angles for sweeping landscapes and zoom in to make the sun the central feature of the photograph.

Image by Ahmed Zahid

Always remember that the sun is only half a degree across. When you shoot with a wide lens it will be taking up a quite small part of the frame so, if you want to make it the main feature of the picture then zooming in (with a lens of at least 200mm) is essential. Support your longer lenses properly with a tripod to avoid blurring.

Be very careful when setting up the shot – looking directly at the sun, especially when it is magnified, can be harmful to your eyesight.

Sunset Photography – Tip #3: Use Silhouettes

All photographs need a point of interest and one of the best to use in sunset photography is a silhouette. This can be anything from a range of mountains to a tree in the foreground, a building, pier or even a person. Silhouettes add something extra to a plain sunset shot changing the mood and adding context to make the picture more interesting to the viewer.

Sunset Photography – Tip #4: Use the ‘Rule of Thirds’

The rule of thirds applies to all photography and should never be forgotten. For sunsets or sunrises it is often a good idea to place the sun, or one of the other features of the picture, off centre in the frame.

Exposure Techniques

Sunset Photography – Tip #5: Use a Variety of Exposures

Leaving the camera on automatic and letting it select the best shutter length for the shot doesn’t always produce the best results in sunrise or sunset photography as the light can vary so much across the sky. The shot will often end up being over-exposed and look washed-out.

This is the ideal time to start experimenting with your camera and switch off the auto mode. Switch to shutter or aperture priority mode and take a selection of shots at a variety of different exposures.

There is no one ‘right’ way to do this. Stunning results might be achieved in several different ways and the only way to find out is to try them. When the sun is sinking slowly there will be ample time to experiment and take a selection of different shots for a variety of results.

You might try using shutter priority mode and begin with a relatively fast shutter speed. Work down to slower ones as you go along.

Image by Thomas Hawk

Sunset Photography – Tip #6: Bracketing

Bracketing is a technique used to achieve variety and make your shots just that little bit different. Look at the cameras suggestions for the shot (eg. f/8 for 1/60th of a second) then take several shots around that mark – both over and under (1/60 at f/5.6 and then 1/60 at f/11). You end up with a whole series of shot, giving you a selection of different colors and results. If you don’t know how to do this manually then check your camera – some have a built in facility for bracketing so you don’t need to do it manually. Check your camera manual and use it.

Sunset Photography – Tip #7: Use Auto Exposure Lock

If you don’t have an auto bracketing mode and don’t feel comfortable in doing it manually then check your camera for the ‘auto exposure lock’. This allows you the focus your camera or a darker spot and ‘lock’ the exposure it selects for that spot. When you then reframe the picture to include the lighter elements you will get a more over-exposed shot.

Image by Farl

Sunset Photography – Tip #8: Don’t Use Auto White Balance

Setting ‘auto’ in your camera’s white balance mode means that you risk losing some of the warmer tones in your sunset photography. Try using the ‘cloudy’ or ‘shade’ settings, which will encourage the camera to add warmth to the shot. On the other hand, you can experiment with the ‘cooling down’ effect of white balance to achieve the opposite effect.
Other Sunrise and Sunset Photography Tips

Sunset Photography – Tip #9: Using Your Tripod

Longer shutter speeds and the heavier lenses used for longer focal lengths mean that a tripod is essential to keep your camera completely still.

Image by Peter Bowers

Sunset Photography – Tip #10: Try Manual Focus

While it’s easy to let the camera do the work of focusing it’s not always the best idea in extreme lighting conditions. If your camera has trouble focusing your sunset shots properly, try switching to manual focus and doing it yourself.

Sunset Photography – Tip #11: Look Around

Sunsets create an amazing focal point for a photograph, but it’s always worth keeping an eye on the surrounding area too. The soft golden light cast by the setting sun can add a lot to a scene that might have been bland by day. You might find that there are beautiful shots around or behind you as the light changes so stay aware and don’t miss an opportunity.

Sunset Photography – Tip #12: Don’t Stop Shooting Sunset Photography!

A sunrise or sunset changes very quickly and can continue to produce new colors after the sun has gone. Keep shooting your sunset photography until you’re absolutely sure it’s all over.

Check back for more Tips for Sunset Photography!

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