Any suggestions to improve this ?

[George111]

I really enjoy photographing sunsets this time of year but I always struggle to get the exposure correct, it's either got overblown highlights or too dark. The above is too dark but I've processed it a bit to bring it back but I'd really like to know what settings/techniques other people use for this sort of image.

The above was f4 at 105mm on a 5dii at 1/125 and ISO 125. I'd tried different settings but I suspect it's my technique which is lacking, not the camera

Any suggestions ?

[nellyleelephant]

Bracket your exposures then blend them.

[Rich K]

is a common problem and one I cant overcome without taking a few shots on a tripod with different exposures and them blending them on photoshop.

Im still very much a learner...........

these are both from more than one exposure




some may say HDR is the way to go with programs like photomatix

hope that helps

[JSS 911]

Try a hard grad 0.9 Holds back the sky by 3 stops so allows the foreground to get some exposure


Refected light (Explored 14/01/2013) by sinky 911, on Flickr

[George111]

Thanks for the suggestions but I was hoping to not have to use multiple images as I don't carry a tripod with me. I guess I can give it a go, see if I can hold the camera still enough for three not one shot. I even tried a mono-pod but it was still a bit bulky.

[Simpo Two]

George111 said:

Thanks for the suggestions but I was hoping to not have to use multiple images as I don't carry a tripod with me.

Shoot RAW and double process, once for highlights and once for shadows.

[RobDickinson]

HDR/bracketing can be done hand held, I'd bracket or use a filter for this.

[MadMullah]

one good piece of advice i was told was to focus off the brightest part of the sky - so the dark bits...

keep the shutter button half pressed to retain the settings and then shoot what you want to shoot.