Setting Sun
Aug, 2019Views
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Awards
Hidden Gem Award
2020 Choice Award
Outstanding Creativity
Exceptional Contrast
Superb Composition
Peer Award
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken near the main lifeguard station at Ocean Beach in San Diego, California. Ocean Beach is one of my favorite locations for sunsets.Time
I arrived at Ocean Beach just before sunset. I had to park away from the beach, which is always crowded in good weather, and walked down by the lifeguard stations. I set up on a ridge of sand and waited for conditions to be just right.Lighting
I wanted to throw the lifeguard tower into a silhouette and keep as much in focus as possible, so I set the camera at ISO 200, shutter 1/200 and aperture f/20. I then waited until a wave had come in and begun to go back out so there was a layer of water on the sand to create the reflection of the sun.Equipment
This photo was taken on my trusty Canon Rebel XT, which I have been using since 2007. I used a Slik tripod to steady the camera for the shot.Inspiration
I always enjoy shooting the sunset. Sometimes I even get lucky enough to have conditions for the "green flash" (which I have been able to shoot a few times). In this case, I wanted to focus on the way the sun, clouds and ocean worked to create a feeling of peace.Editing
I did some minor color balancing using my old Picasa program. I try to get my photos as close to what I want in the camera.In my camera bag
I have a very simple setup. In addition to my Canon Rebel XT, I carry a Tamron XR Di II 18-200 mm lens (my workhorse lens) and a Canon EF 75-300 mm lens. If I'm planning on anything that requires a tripod, I have my Slik in an old beach chair carrying bag.Feedback
Patience and persistence are the keys to sunset photos. You're going to have days where conditions just don't work out - maybe the clouds are too thick, or there are no clouds to reflect the colors. Sooner or later you're going to get things just right, so be ready when those days happen.
