D17: Capturing the Setting Sun

Tasra Dawson —  September 17, 2009 — 8 Comments

tasra365 sunset D17: Capturing the Setting Sun The sun has set on the international video convention in Orlando. This sunset seemed apropos on the last night of the event.

I’m a workshop junkie and love to learn, engage, and be inspired by the other creative professionals pursuing their dreams. One of the many joys of being a published author and speaker is the opportunity to attend conventions and conferences across the country. On Wednesday at 8 am, Ron and I had an amazing room full of video producers eager to learn all about social media and marketing. Then today we were part of a distinguished panel of experts talking about the social media explosion. Had so much fun bantering on stage with the other guests.

But I must admit that by the end of the conference, I’m usually more than ready to head back to the peace and quiet of my own home. I enjoy the routine and familiarity of my own surroundings and look forward to returning every time. Not to mention how much easier it is to be consistent with challenges like this one when your schedule isn’t overloaded and you aren’t dealing with down internet!

(Everything for my daily challenge was completed on time, but this post was late due to internet issues. Processed this photo by sharpening in Adobe Lightroom. Then used Kubota Action—Fuji Snappit to brighten the color. The colors look much brighter in Photoshop before I saved for web. Not sure why they aren’t showing up as brilliant as they were on the blog pic.)

Manual: Read page 41 in the Nikon manual—Exposure. I loved this page! It was all pictures demonstrating how exposure and shutter speed affect aperture. I wish more pages in the manual were like this. I think more people would study their manuals if it was less writing and more images!

Images: Since I didn’t have internet or books, I searched on my computer for professional images to view. Fortunately I found a PDF in my “To Read” folder that I downloaded months ago. It’s from Kevin Kubota called Bring Your Imagery to Life. I browsed through the images and suggestions in that PDF for my viewing today.

Tasra Dawson

Posts

Author, designer, photographer, teacher... just an artistic curious girl learning to live insanely great and sharing what I learn along the way.
  • http://gallow-photo-year.blogspot.com/ Steve Gallow

    I really like the silhouette of trees on the right side of your sunset photo. Keep up the great work.

    I cannot remember where I read it, but one photographer suggested to try various white balances on sunsets. Sometimes I like to use the flash preset white balance. This causes the colors to be more brilliant. It's usually not a true representation of what you see, but it has a neat effect. Of course if you shoot in RAW format, you have a lot more options with playing with the white balance after the shot.

    I found it an useful tip, so I thought I'd pass it on.

  • http://gallow-photo-year.blogspot.com/ Steve Gallow

    I also wanted to say that I really enjoy the layout of your blog/website. Excellent work. I would imagine that you have a lot of experience with web design.

  • karenjohnson

    I love your blog and look forward to your daily posts. Your are a GREAT photographer and inspired me to take the challenge too. I love how you captured the setting sun with the clouds and tree line. Press on!

  • Josh Nelson

    Great tip. With my old crappy P&S camera, I would have to try and trick it into doing that. Now I love to get the colors just right in post. It's also fun to switch to other sunset colors that weren't even there in the first place (ex: bring out purple/magenta when it wasn't really purple).

  • http://nattysfamily.blogspot.com/ npbradshaw

    I love how the sky just above the trees almost looks like the sea. This is a really cool picture.

  • http://tasra365.com tasra

    So excited you have embarked on the challenge as well. Do whatever it takes to stay inspired. That is truly the key. Would you believe I captured this image while driving in the car on the freeway!?!

  • http://tasra365.com tasra

    Thanks for the compliment Steve. I do actually have experience with web design and did design for Apple, as well as my own photography site. However, this design is thanks to a WordPress theme called Autofocus.

  • http://tasra365.com tasra

    You noticed! My husband noticed that too and it's one of the reasons I chose this photo over all the others that I captured. Kudos to you for your keen eye!