just took these shots maybe 15 minutes ago. all at f8 (was thinking the sharper, the better). all done in aperture priority, but the last shot i believe was done with shutter priority.

anyways, i could use some help... before i ask my questions, anyone have any general tips? lol







is there a way to get the sunset exposed as the pictures above, or even better exposed, and also get the foreground properly exposed? or do i need to use a flash for the foreground?

when you guys take sunset photos, where do you have the lens focus?

generally, what settings do you use when taking sunset photos?

 

I don't know if photobucket is down, but I can't see the images as of this time.

 

You may have the photos set to private

 

Yea i think it is down, i can't access mine. argh.

 

Woot photobucket is back up.

 

The simplest solution would be to get a graduated filter. This will block out some of the light coming in at the top of the image from the setting sun, allowing you to lengthen the exposure to capture the foreground without blowing out the sun.

http://www.great-landscape-photograp...d-filters.html

 

Here's what my NIK Viveza software had to say on the subject:







Not too bad, just needed some point adjustments made to brightness, contrast, and a little saturation thrown in for good measure.

 

damn, good lookin' out, thanks.
i'll look into the program.

i guess the value of post processing is priceless

 

post processing is essential and should be part of your work flow. its the same thing with fixing up a car, why buy the very best parts then leave it untuned?

 

Yeah, I don't know why people try to leave that out. That's like taking professional pictures, and then having Walmart develop and print them.

 

people are inherently lazy. i am too, but as a photographer, i feel it is my obligation to put out the best work i can come up with, every time. hence i always process my shots.

 

Have you tried to take a one over exposed picture and one underexposed picture and merge them together using pshop?

I r n00b so don't tell at me too much.

 

shhhhhhh! don't say that term...

 

As you can see from Roo's work, there just isn't any data in the shadows. For landscape shots with a relatively flat horizon, I'd use a graduated filter to cut out some of the light coming from the sun/sky.

For this particular shot, a flash in the foreground to illuminate the shrubbery would help.

 

whaaddaa did i do. lol