DSLR Tips: How to take perfect sunsets

[dalv086]

That is nice, BUT what about the bottom of the picture which is coming too dark? ! The same if I want to get a blue sky in my picture with nice clouds , some parts of the pictures are very dark. Or else the sky will be white . Any suggestion for this Gordon?

[UnitedFragFront]

Exposure compensation? No RAW? No full manual mode? Please go back to shooting weddings because this is the worst guide ever.

[cameralabs]

@UnitedFragFront No, this guide is meant for complete beginners, who want to achieve an effect with the minimum of adjustments and no processing on their computer afterwards. The tips that I give here on Youtube are not meant for any kind of expert of experienced user. Only complete beginners.

[UnitedFragFront]

@cameralabs ow I am sorry then. I though this is a complete guide

[imperatorpublicus]

Hi! I´m heading for Phuket 10.1.12 and I´m definitely taking my dslr with me :) now I want to capture sunsets/sunrises and I belive that in 90% of the pictures the sun will be setting with water in the horizon... Now does my Carl Zeiss POL filter do any good to the pictures? or should i just shoot whitout it? btw, thanks alot for your dslr tips, now i know that i can´t use a camera properly xD

[cameralabs]

@imperatorpublicus You won't need your polarising filter when shooting directly into the sun for a sunset, but afterwards it might be effective for other parts of the sky. Always take it off when you don't need it though as it can cause glare and unwanted reflections.

[imperatorpublicus]

@cameralabs roger that, thanks... got a lot of learning on my "to do list" :) I´m pretty excited with all kind of acc. to dslr´s :) maybe I just should enjoy my vacation by taking it easy :)

[ZeTaEXiSTeNZ]

Thanks for these videos, really helpful =)

[areyoujauntyandgay]

thanks, great tutorial but i really find it funny the way you say www

[CameraTenshi]

I think is better to shoot in Manual mode ;)

[papalof]

RAW???



[komputeronik1996]

I have the same camera as you its the Canon EOS 400D (Digital Revel Xti) Right ?

[drianschultz]

Or you just set a higher shutter speed and don't play around with exposure compensation....

[tugatomsk]

@drianschultz I was thinking the same thing.

[MrJohnkb]

After 2 days, and 40 videos you got my subscription:) Also great fo a Brit like me not to have to hear another bloody yank chatting shit

[alvinjason10]

canon

[UrgentUrge]

what do you really prefer to bring with you on an island you cant leave, a nikon or canon dslr?

[cameralabs]

@UrgentUrge I don't care which brand, but I would need a very large card and somewhere to recharge the batteries!

[UrgentUrge]

@cameralabs really.. canon or nikon.. seriously?

[cameralabs]

@UrgentUrge seriously I have no preference. In my job I have to be unbiased.

[UrgentUrge]

@cameralabs ok isee.. but you prefer japanes camera than american right?

[cameralabs]

@UrgentUrge Nope, I like them all equally.

[Randomize2008]

thanks for the useful information. Your tips are greatly valued.

keep up your great work helping amateurs become a lot better..

[visceralzen]

why use exposure compensation when you have dslr? Seems like a point and shoot method 2 me.

[alvinjason10]

@visceralzen how do you do it manually sir? thanks

[ipadize]

WHY NOT USING A POLARIZER???

[cameralabs]

@ipadize TRY IT AND SEE...

[CameraKid500d]

Which camera do you use?

[hauz1life]

YOU SERIOUSLY LOOK LIKE THE FOOTBALL PLAYER ROONEY

[cameralabs]

@hauz1life er, really?! I wish I had his money...!

[apoel94]

@cameralabs i am sure if you had his money you would probably have bought the best lenses and accessories for your camera...i wish to had his money!

[zunefreak101]

i love how skilled you are. you actually say useful and true stuff where others just think they know what theyre talkin bout

[jpschubbs]

Excellent!  Thank You!

[smoursy94]

i love your videos!!!! please keep making more!!!!!!

[esaskhan95]

Thumbs up if youre here because this guy goes real slow and detailed with things. :D

[raferalstoncruz]

how about the flash settings of the camera??

[iwannabaduck]

you are wonderful! keep the videos coming! you explain things so thoroughly that even I can understand! you have helped me greatly and I thank you very much.

[mizzfinest1]

when you shoot in M mode for low lighting do you always leave you ISO @ 100 and do you use a flash?

[MicroWare1]

For shooting sunsets, is it best to use AWB, set the WB manually with a wb card, or use one of the settings in the camera such as cloudy?

If the sun has not quite set, do you have any tips to prevent lens flare such as using a hood, or pointing the lens directly at the sun?

[damx1993]

what camera are you using?

[jhuan0]

I love you Gordon.

[lilmissrom]

Love your workshops Gordon! Can I assume the camera you use to demonstrate is a Canon? Haha, Canon seems to be the most common brand nowadays. Go Pentax!

[RyaniPhoneReviews]

love your videos man

[filmito10]

Excellent, thanks very much.

[cornbeefnrice]

great workshop. thx a million

[PhotogNT]

The method I use is to set the ISO to 100 set aperture to F11 to F16 choose a shutter speed to suit but here is my tip set the manual white balance to K then set the manual white balance to 8000K or 9000K this will boost reds and yelloews in your sunsets. no extra equipment needed. Works very well for sunsets in Darwin Australia, Good luck

[Fakeblad]

I'm subscribing. These Video's are really good. I've learnt alot! :)

[jomsison22]

Thanks for the tips because i just bought a Canon 60D my first DSLR camera

[jaypee112233]

You're videos are just great! Explained very easy and also understandable for DSLR beginners! Thanks a lot!

[phonedrn8]

Very good info ..

[ktfx5]

Gordon is one of those guys that can explain something very easily to DSLR beginners like me. Subscribed

[claviclemt]

man, you´re the best:)

[SVnerd]

I've been watching your videos for a while now. Thumbs up for the excellent reviews, tips, and tutorials! :-)

[cypriotkikos]

HALLO! Can you make a video please how to do this in Nikon d3100?? Thanks! If is possible!!!

[mastermindzh]

I liked the first picture as well, guess I'm used to point and shoot camera's

[tronicevil]

You're Awesome:) I subscribed.

[teobe03]

precise, simple, and straight to the point, excellent tips on all your video, GREAT JOBS.

[dicksantos]

Hi Gordon,

I'm very new to this things and so lucky to see your videos...and it was really great.. I've been following your tips and getting good results...

Thank once again..

[CYNFELYN23]

Really love your videos. They are all informative and interesting.

Can you do some videos for medium/advanced users?

Or just make some more videos. They are really enjoyable.

Please Gordon!

[DylanTheHammer]

Or you could HDR shit up!

[drvaibhavchapara]

Hello Mr. Gordon, i recently got a Canon EOS Dslr 1000D and found your videos really helpful, thank you very much. keep your good work going.

[ohdangchang]

I watched your video on the taking pictures at night, and you used the example of the christmas decorations on the houses, why can't you just use the exposure button instead of changing how shutter speed and aperature, since it was underexposed and this one was overexposed.

sorry for the dumb question, im just starting to get into photography.

[beeble2003]

Setting the white balance is also crucial! On auto white-balance, the camera will try to 'correct away' the orange light of the sunset, defeating the whole point of taking the photograph. Manually choosing 'cloudy' white balance (you could try 'daylight' but I find that a bit extreme) has almost as much effect as setting exposure compensation.

[maphotosful]

Thanks for helpful video. I really enjoyed watch it

I have bought a Canon EOS 50D and I do not know why ISO 100 is alwys give me a terrible photo but if I use ISO AUTO my photo look ok much better than ISO 100. Can I know what's the reason???

[AlexBrown52]

How do you capture the camera screen like at 2:37?

[iansofty22]

what kind of camera will i buy for a beginner like me? i want cheaper dslr cameras that has good resolution and specialization., is it nikon or canon? sony or pentax? huhuhu.. pls help me.. i want to become pro someday!

[michaelnguyen2611]

dude what accent is that, sounds really cool lol

[cameralabs]

@michaelnguyen2611 Thanks! Erm, I'm from the North West of England...

[fenderman21guitar]

@cameralabs

lol im from chorley, I dont think i've ever heard anyone say the north west accent is 'cool'!

[cameralabs]

@fenderman21guitar Well the world is finally realising the truth!

[boojitsu]

@cameralabs I also love your accent. You sound very friendly and authentically nice. Love your videos and greatly appreciate your help as I am new to photography. Thanks and have a great 2011 :)

[ABHSProductions]

@cameralabs are you from cumbria?

[cameralabs]

@ABHSProductions No, originally near to Manchester. But I love Cumbria and used to visit a lot. In fact that's much of what influenced a move to Queenstown: Lakes and hills, but more Sun!

[ABHSProductions]

@cameralabs oh right well im up in cumbria and its a great place like

[Zakikhan588]

@cameralabs I am from far east , MALAYSIA . You are doing a wonderful job .KEEP IT UP.

[cookiepwnsU]

on my way to school this morning i was hitting myself that i didn't have a camera with me.. misty water and a gloomy red sun over a field of corn :(

[rodrigrap]

You are simply GREAT!  What a great IQ on language skills.

[rodrigrap]

You are simply GREAT! What a great IQ on langueguage skills.

[AETrainingDavid97]

These have been so helpful, thank you! I'm looking into the 550d, and all of these videos have teached me a lot before-hand about DSLRs.

[rodbo]

Thank you for your help. Your tutorials are clear and easy to follow and understand...! Bravo I look forward to more tutorials.

[artsv22]

awesome tutorial good job

[hellldriver]

hello im a new to photography and i have learned alota stuff so now i wannaa start my photography career and im reallly confused which dslr to buy , i want to know which camera will best suit me between Nikon D90 , Canon EOS 550D or the SONY ALPHA A550 , any otha suggestions ? please help !

[BaukeHaagsma]

@hellldriver

All of them are old.

Search for the newer ones or ones who are coming now

I don't know your budget but the best thing to have is a very good lens.

Personal I have a Sony and I like it

and carl zeiss lenses wich are available for a sony Alpha (I cant buy them lol)

And remember Sony=Minolta so you can use old minolta lensen they are cheap and really good.

Personal I have seen much canons with a broken Sensor after 3 years so.. yea I won't take a canon but its your decision.

Good luck!

[ZurichMr]

thanks 

[minicars13]

hey man...

you have great vids. they have helped me alot with my canon reble stxi. what camera do you use in your tutorials?

[Noobstate]

Thanks mr.Gordon! your videos are all very helpful! ^^

[SingHouse]

I should get my nikon d40 tomorrow can't waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait !!!!!

[candeestore]

I've watched a lot of tutorials...... but I gotta say, GORDON has the best and most resourceful videos. THANKS!!!

[sjaianand]

Extremely articulate Gordon!! great job on the videos, first covering the concepts and moving to the practical application... I have just ordered Canon 500D, my first dSLR and have visited umpteen partner sites thru your pages.. my camera shd arrive tomorrow.. looking fwd to implementing your tips and suggestions.. Thanks a lot once again!!

[cameralabs]

@sjaianand thanks for your support! Feel free to ask any Qs on the cameralabs forums,,,

[Chrisjr2007]

@sjaianand did it arrived???How was it?:D

[sjaianand]

@Chrisjr2007 : Oh yes.. it did! Its an awesome experience .. The ergonomics are great and the pictures quality is amazing. I am stuck with just one thing.. In manual mode the exposure compensation does not move out of '-2' in I am doing something wrong I guess..

Any pointers from anyone?

[Chrisjr2007]

@sjaianand AWESOME!Can't wait to get a Nikon D5000 :)

Nah,that's the max. for it.Don't worry :)

[Mrljohnl]

hello, amazing video! but I have one question, can you make video how to use infrared filter. I bought "Hoya72" and I am using Nikon D90 , my photos come up red and blurred, please help...

[mike081270]

@Mrljohnl

I got the same filter and get the same results as you.

Try reading this review

This might answer your question.

[mike081270]

@Mrljohnl

wrotniak.net/photo/infrared/#C­AMERA

[ianmmc]

thank you for all information

[Q8Police777]

Why dont you make a video on how to take pictures underwater? Im currently a scuba diver and really interested in shooting pictures underwater. If you have any tips according to that subject, it would be appreciated that you help us out.

[cameralabs]

@Q8Police777 Sorry, I'm no expert on going underwater - why don't you do one!

[NorfolkWestern34]

Just bought a Nikon D60 and an 18-70mm lens...loving these videos! Probly would have bought it without these videos! thanks man

[air171]

Gordon, I'm searching for my first DSLR and I'm not sure which one to buy Canon EOS 550d or the Nikon D90. But your videos have guided me a lot and I understand this complex world of photography a lot more. And you site is amazing! Keep up the good work!!

[vishwas3230]

Great Job gordon ,love all the tips that u have given.keep up the great work. I am from india & would be my pleasure to meet u & learn more stuff.

[psychosomatic333]

keep up the great work...i'm loving my canon 50D slr even more

[ThinkFast2006]

useful information thank you

[TheLivingMessage]

When I put ir in the P mode it will only take B&W??

[yas]

no.

[heatherboo74]

thank you

[susanbunch1980]

Excellent video! Expert advice! You should upload your video to Ewisdomtv

[ithree6mafia]

nice dslr tips, when are u coming out with more, u should do ur next ones with a nikon dslr

[DTxOctavariumx]

@ithree6mafia Or just buy a canon

[ithree6mafia]

@DTxOctavariumx nah i would never torture myself by doing something like that

[DTxOctavariumx]

@ithree6mafia Why?

[denversnowboarder]

@ithree6mafia he probably uses canons because he likes them more than nikons

[lynx0331]

I'm glad I stumbled upon one of your videos. ^^ Thank you for making really good videos that are easy to follow.  I'm a DSLR newbie. This really helps!

[nickeldridge21]

Gordon, I would like to thank you for all the time and effort you put in your videos. I purchased the rebel xs last month (my 1st dslr) and if it weren't for you I'd be lost! You give ALOT of good tips and your accent is pleasent on the ears. Keep up the good work!

[cameralabs]

You're welcome! Er, did you buy it through one of the partner stores at dslrtips . com or cameralabs . com? If so, thanks! if not, please consider doing so in the future as it's the only way I get paid!

[pikachuthesquirtle]

@cameralabs amazon is cheaper.

[cameralabs]

@pikachuthesquirtle If you buy anyhting at Amazon, please click through to them from the partner stores page at cameralabs . com - it's the best way to support me!

[crizellereina]

thanks for your time doing these vids! it is very helpful! ;) keep uploading!

[2007omi]

Also - what should I set my ISO, white balance and metering?

[2007omi]

Does a polarizing filter do the same thing as exposure compensation to bring out the colors in a sunset? Thank you for your tips, they have helped this beginner!!

[sambelsha]

Tnx gordon 'been looking for these tips for a while now, learned & well understood.

[rsalamun6147]

Sweeeet

[MrBenjaminlundin]

Thank You! I have a little question :).

If it's dark and I don't wanna use the light, what i the best thing to do?

1. Have a high ISO

2. have a high +/- . (Like +2)

[ArcticAlex]

@MrBenjaminlundin

Setting EV to +2 for example is a bad idea.

That means you will lighten your picture und the exposure time will be longer.

So the picture will be to light and your picture is shaken...

So...set an high iso! And of course open your aperture!

[MrBenjaminlundin]

Thank's!

[abadeizer]

@MrBenjaminlundin This is what you need to do:

First of all, go on manual.

Zoom out as much as you can,

Use your lowest F-stop/aperture possible,

Shoot with the slowest speed without blurring the image (usually 1/125 when handheld, and infinitely slow when stable)

Once you've done what you can with THESE settings and if it's still too dark, you can move on to bringing the ISO up.

The reason for this is that bringing ISO up lowers your image quality while using the other settings can refine it

[JoNaShOeFi]

For Sunsets, dont't use high ISO...Too much noise...just edit it on the PC....

but +/- is way better than high ISO !!!

[lloomoo]

He looks like the scientist from The Nightmare Before Christmas :D

thanks for the workshop!

[1stAjay]

...great all of ur videos are very informative...

[Three3WiseMen]

You give sound advice Gordon, much respect to your generosity. These techniques will be implemented.

[ispaniola]

The other tip is HDR

Make several shots (preferably with tripod and in RAW-format)

-one normal

-one underexposed

-one overexposed

Use Photoshop or Photomatix to combine them into one HDR image where you can exactly choose how vibrant the sky must look and how much you want to see of the foreground, it'll look amazing!

I have a tutorial on my channel to do this with even a single image, check it out if interested! :)

[Poi159]

Thanks Gordon! Thats a great tip!

[CrazyJimKU]

Hello Gordan,

What if, let's say you're using an film camera.

does that mean you'll just have to try it out and see if you're lucky?

since you cant see the picture right after you took it.

[MixyBoy]

Just tried it on light bulb :D...

What\s interesting I have +5 -5 settings on my d90.. cool ;)

[nykkchick]

thank you for the tip, i got the canon xsi which is like the one in the video and i have no idea what im doing with it so im taking notes.

[smalltownkid2004]

Got the xsi about a month and a half ago... Excellent Camera you should take a look at some photo's Ive taken so far on my myspace. new_age_fireman

[beteltree]

Very good advice @3:44. Underexpose the background then use flash to highlight the person standing in front of the sunrise or sunset. I'll be sure to try this asap.

[manen6]

Which camera is that? 1000D?

[Tinewashere]

probably the 400D, both the 450D and 1000D weren't out at that time :)

[iArtemis708]

400d, the 450d has a bigger screen and no buttons on the left

[cedricnocon]

That's the same camera I have!

[rithoo56]

fantastic gordon

thank you

[fatpaws]

Thank you for posting. Great tips!!

[b4rn1k4]

thanks! i didn't know what that EV was until now:D

[domxxx999]

should i take out my polarizing/uv filter for these shots? or will the picture remain unaffected?

[tropicallanterns]

I know you weren't asking me, but I thought I would help out =). No, polarizers have no affect on sunrises/sunset. Polarizers reduce rays of light coming from angles and in sunsets and sunrises, the light comes straight into your dslr. Although polarizers won't affect the quality of a sunrise/set, it's important to know that they eat up light--as much as two stops. So it's best to not bother using a polarizer for these types of shots. As for the UV filter? Has no effect, just leave it on.

[Cewyyy]

thanks so much :)

[sainatraj]

Very useful tips. Thank you.

[ibanezguy431]

Is there a way to change the exposure in fully manual mode?

[cameralabs]

Yes, you just change the aperture or shutter!

[princeof88]

thank you so much. now i know my dslr much better

[iamplayer1]

Gordon , srry if i mispell your name, i love you thanx for your videos

[cameralabs]

You're all very welcome! And yes, the spelling is correct! PS - don't forget to visit dslrtips . com!

[changiz110]

thank you.

[FillePelt]

THANK YOU!

[xStevieVentura]

Is this camera good to make a time lapse?

[kmedia1983]

u can make timelapse even with a compact camera...but if u want for timelaps, u can buy a EOS 350d , u will find in internet cheaper..and yes, this is also good for timelapse

[jonnyfivem1]

Very helpful, thanks!

[Axelga2112]

Thanks

[stevenshizzle]

Looks like a good opportunity for HDRI.

[vh280495]

Great video! Thanks

[kuujjuaqlb]

Your videos are great, I have learned so much so far.

[nismoau]

Top video, many thanks!

[cameralabs]

Exposure Bracketing involves taking photos above and below the 'recommended' metered setting. So yes, bracketing is a good technique to use for sunsets as you'll typically get one normal shot, one that's brighter, and one that's darker.

[ek9715]

These are great programmes, Gordon; well done, and thank you!

[cameralabs]

You're very welcome! Don't forget to check out dslrtips . com!

[liveevilclan]

I have a D60, how do i turn on bulb setting thanks

[lo0lo0007]

thank god finally I found a video that I can understand

very useful

thank you very much

we need more videos like this one :)

[amywy]

Thank you so much for the explanations. Your videos are great.

[shakateer]

Just got into dslr photography and I have to say that your tips have really saved me time and thought me so much. Enjoying your videos. Thanks a lot,

[mattutubematt]

Great tips! ive always wondered what that was for :)

[sushigurl]

WOW,canon is so different than Nikon(i am using Nikon). Anyway,I always wanted to take sunset photo,but never find a right time for it.I guess i will try it out since i got a proper explanation from you,that's a nice tutorial.THANKS.

[Collin1985]

Continuing on from before: Thirdly, since metering and AF are often together in the half-press, you're *assuming* after I wholly compose only the sky that there is something contrasty enough for me to AF on. Bad assumption. If there isn't, all I'd be left with is correct metering but no AF, which means I'd end up having to play EC or Manual mode anyway. What bollocks.

Gordon, great video. Keep em' coming.

[TAMMYANGEL777]

i have a qestion about macro lens for canon eos rebel xti which one is better more zoom/magnification,60mm or 100mm plz i need to know before i buy one

[myvessels]

funny but your voice makes me relax...really!!! thank you so much for these tutorials!!!