Ever tried to photograph an absolutely stunning sunset only to find that the images do not do the sunset justice and simply pale in comparison.
Capturing the beauty of a spectacular sunset is not as simple as it seems but is possible if you follow these easy steps.
Step 1 – Choose A Spectacular Beach Sunset Destination
Some places in the world just have much more spectacular sunsets than others. Obviously, to capture a beach sunset, you would need to find a beach. The top 5 beach locations to visit where you are likely to experience awesome sunsets just about everyday include the following:
- Dingli Cliffs in Malta,
- Oia in Greece,
- The Isle of Eigg in Scotland,
- Kizkalesi in Turkey,
- Mount Srd in Croatia.
Don’t feel limited to these options as there are many other spectacular beach sunset destinations that will give you great opportunities to capture the perfect image and don’t forget to enjoy Malta’s top beaches during your holiday. However, before spending a large amount of money on a travel destination, check the seasons and what time of year is best to visit the location and snap that shot.
Step 2 – Get The Right Equipment
A regular phone camera is simply never going to do the beauty of a sunset full justice. Even the most advanced phone cameras are no match for a high tech digital camera with a lens that are designed specifically to photograph Mother Nature in all her glory. It may also be a good idea to invest in some filters and experiment with these to find the one that present a specific sunset in the best light. For example, you would apply a different filter to a sunset that has predominantly purple hues to one that has warmer golden or honey colors.
Step 3 – Practice Makes Perfect
It is definitely a good idea to get some practice shots in before heading out to the ideal beach sunset location. Photograph sunsets in different local locations from different angles. For example, a sunset can appear very different from the top of a cliff than it would standing on the beach. Even of there is no beach near you, there is at least one opportunity to practice photographing a sunset every day.
Step 4 – The Right Timing
Timing is absolutely essential when trying to capture the beauty of a spectacular beach sunset. There are only a few moments from when the suns starts painting the sky in all it’s glorious colors to when its edge dips below the horizon and the moment is lost forever.
So first and foremost, check the exact time at which the sunset is expected at the preferred beach location. Remember that this time is when the sun has actually set and not when it starts displaying its beauty so compensate for this. The best time to start clicking away is about 5 minutes before the actual sunset.
However, depending on weather and other conditions, the sky can start displaying the splendor of a sunset as long as 30 minutes to an hour before the time of a sunset. So get to the perfect beach sunset location early. This is also important to prevent any delays that could occur in travel and also to ensure the best photography spot. Be assured that multiple tourists and photographers will be at the best location vying for the best view of the sunset at the top sunset locations in the world.
Step 5 – The Focus
Don’t peer constantly through the lens when photographing a sunset. While focusing on a specific area of the sunset, there is the chance of missing out on something far more spectacular happening elsewhere. Although there is such a limited amount of time, choose a focal point, take a few snaps, look away from the lens and then start photographing another area of the sunset. Remember not to focus so much on the sunset that the beauty of the other surroundings are lost. The reflection of the sunset off the water, a silhouette of a person or a tree and the stunning white beach sand can all add that unique aspect that will make the image special and memorable.
Step 6 – Share The Moment
Take along a loved one, friend or other companion with whom to share the sunset. The beauty of a moment is doubled when it shared with someone else. A buddy can also be put to work to look for those special photographic opportunities that could be missed or to simply see the sunset from a different perspective.
Capturing the beauty of an exquisite sunset can seem intimidating, especially when those first few attempts are less than spectacular. However, even the most amateur photographer can take the perfect snap by following some hints and tips from the experts. Always remember that capturing an awe-inspiring beach sunset is about creating a memorable image rather than simply taking a shot.
