Sunset Photography: How to Take Amazing Sunsets

Sunset Photography: How to Take Amazing Sunsets
Nikon Announces Their New Flagship DSLR: The D4S
Adding a Light to Gain Control of Exposure (Video)
Interesting Photo of the Day: Signals on a Djibouti Coast
How to Photograph a Waterfall Using a Polarizer (Video)

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 07:32 PM PST

It seems like everybody loves looking at beautiful sunsets, which is probably why sunset photography is such a competitive niche. Let’s look at some simple techniques that will help you to photograph truly stunning sunset images, the kind that stand out from the crowd.

Sunset Rule #1: Protect your Eyes and Camera

It is dangerous to your eyes and to your camera’s image sensor to point your camera directly at a bright yellow sun. Using a long lens or optical zoom will magnify the damaging effects. Play it safe and get the better picture by waiting until the sun it is sinking below the horizon or is a dark red.

“Sunset Dandelion” captured by Michael Edminster (Click Image to Find Photographer)

Sunset Rule #2: Capture the Color

Ever run out the door to photograph a brilliant sunset but then after uploading to your computer wonder what happened to those saturated, bright hues? Usually the culprit is the camera’s automatic white balance. While your human eyes appreciate those brilliant sunset yellows, oranges, magentas and blues, the camera’s automatic white balance tries to correct them, to dull them down so that they appear “normal.” The solutions are simple…

If you have manual settings, turn off the auto white balance, and then set the white balance to the warm side.
If your camera has a color lens setting or you are shooting with an SLR or DSLR, try some shots with the red filter selected or attached.
Using a compact that doesn’t offer these manual settings? Really simple solution here: set it to sunset mode. This works for sunrises too. Sunset mode automatically sets the white balance to keep the warm shift in its color balance. Sunset mode also helps the camera to automatically use the best focus and exposure (no flash) for this type of picture.
None of the above? Use Landscape mode or automatic, and then use a photo editor to adjust the white balance to reflect the brilliant colors you know were there.

“Kristina” captured by Irina Oreshina (Click Image to See More From Irina Oreshina)

You may also want to experiment with different exposure settings or use your photo editor to darken or lighten. Be sure to make changes on copies, not the original!

Often a slower shutter speed will better capture the sunset; in this case, a tripod may be needed to steady your camera.

Sunset Rule #3: Capture the Best Compositions

Use basic landscape photography techniques and patience to create stunning sunset pictures.
Not all sunsets are created equal…well actually many are, but to get a remarkable sunset photo, you need a remarkable sunset. Clouds almost always make for more dramatic sunsets. These are often found with sunsets over large bodies of water.

“Meteor Strike” captured by David Hobcote (Click Image to Find Photographer)

Allow yourself time to watch the sunset and wait for the really beautiful shots.
Take your sunset photos from vantage points that give you a composition free of clutter, such as power lines and buildings (unless the building is serving as a focal point for your photo).
Provide context and scale by composing your shots with something in the foreground such as silhouetted palms, a lone pine, a boat, a person…The sunset will almost always create the silhouettes, thus adding more drama to your sunset photography.
If the sky is the most dramatic part of the sunset, compose your picture so that two thirds of it is filled with sky. If the reflection on water and silhouettes is the most captivating part of the pictures give this two thirds of your image’s real estate.
Head to a beach where you’ll find some of the best sunset pictures. Here you can see the sun setting over the horizon, and your pictures will also get the benefits of the colorful reflections off the water. Other good places include the desert and prairie where you also often can see the horizon and where the additional dust in the air adds to the color.

This is all you need for succeeding at sunset photography so start using these tips and you’ll be happily surprised at the beautiful sunset pictures you’ll capture.

About the Author:
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames.com and loves photography. Come check out our selection of floating frames in a wide variety of colors, styles and sizes. Your Picture Frames makes it easy for you to find just the perfect frame.

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Nikon Announces Their New Flagship DSLR: The D4S

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:02 PM PST

Announced today, the new Nikon D4S establishes itself as the premier HD-SLR available to professionals; unrivaled with its combination of incredible speed, accuracy, low-light performance and exceptional image fidelity. Designed for the most demanding photographers and multimedia professionals in the world, the Nikon D4S improves upon the revered D4 to give users enhanced image and video quality, improved autofocus (AF), faster performance during and after capture in addition to an astonishing ISO range. Pre-Order Here

Nikon D4S

Nikon's D series of flagship cameras continues to push the boundaries of professional image quality, speed and features. The newly developed 16.2-megapixel FX-format sensor works in conjunction with the new EXPEED 4 image processing engine to deliver new levels of still and HD video quality and performance. A new Group AF function and overall improvements build upon Nikon's proven 51-point AF system, while the camera breaks convention with an ISO range that goes to an incredible 409,600 ISO (Hi-4) for maximum versatility in nearly any lighting condition. Overall speed and response is also enhanced, capturing full resolution at an astounding 11 frames-per-second (fps) with auto focus and auto exposure (AE), while benefiting from an overall 30% increase in processing power.

"By announcing the development of the new Nikon D4S earlier this year, Nikon has been able to work openly with professional photographers in the field to hone the cameras' core capabilities into an unparalleled tool that makes otherwise impossible images a reality," said Masahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. "The challenges of today's professional multimedia photographer go beyond simply capturing amazing content. After the shutter clicks, the workflow enhancements that the D4S provides will give Nikon users an obvious edge in the stands, the studio, on the sidelines or in the field."

Extreme Speed and Accuracy Give the Edge in the Field

Whether shooting extreme action sports or elusive wildlife, the Nikon D4S has been engineered to be the ultimate combination of speed and accuracy, giving photographers the power to capture even the fastest moving, unpredictable subjects with confidence and control. The proven Multi-CAM 3500 FX AF sensor module's thoroughly recalibrated AF algorithms quickly zero in on its intended target— no matter how near, far, or abruptly a subject appears in the frame. Additionally, the D4S includes a new innovative Group AF mode. When selected, this mode utilizes five AF points to provide increased stability while tracking subjects, and enhanced accuracy by reducing instances of background focus. In situations where the background is bright with strong contrasting colors, photographers can now feel more confident, knowing that small, distant and fast-moving objects can be rendered sharper, faster and more frequently. Nikon's AF Lock-on technology is also upgraded, shortening time in reverting from focus interruptions, such as a referee running into the frame.

Hundredths of a second can make the difference when capturing the decisive shot that graces the front page, the double-truck spread, or the client's mantel. With this in mind, the Nikon D4S also improves tracking on high-speed continuous shooting at a blazing fast 11 fps, with continuous AF/AE. Because missing the shot is just not an option, Nikon's EXPEED 4 plays an integral role in the D4S' seemingly instantaneous response and swift performance, while enhancing energy efficiency. The camera now features a processing time that is a full 30% faster, in addition to a 200-shot buffer (JPEG) at full resolution at the maximum continuous mode.

As a proven flagship for the world's most demanding photographers, the D4S retains the features that made its predecessor the professional's choice in the first place. The Nikon D4S HD-SLR aligns 15 cross-type sensors in the center to detect contrast data in both vertical and horizontal planes. In addition to detecting each AF-NIKKOR lens with an aperture of f/5.6 or lower, the camera also utilizes nine cross-type sensors that are fully functional when using compatible NIKKOR lenses and a teleconverter with a combined aperture value up to f/8, a great advantage to those photographing sports and wildlife from extreme distances.

The Advantage of Superior Image Quality

At the core of the Nikon D4S is a newly developed 16.2-megapixel FX-format CMOS Sensor (36 x 23.9mm), engineered to deliver an immersive dynamic range, with exceptionally low noise. This newly developed image sensor works in tandem with the latest generation of Nikon's powerful image processing engine, dubbed EXPEED 4, to bolster image quality, color and sharpness in both stills and video. The benefits of EXPEED 4 go well beyond high-speed image processing to provide evolved real time noise reduction, along with depth and clarity gradation rendering. The resulting images exhibit a wide tonal range, with true and faithful colors.

Thanks in part to the new EXPEED 4 processing engine, the Nikon D4S now shatters the perception of what's possible with available light photography, giving users a native ISO range from 100-25,600 expandable from 50 ISO (Lo-1) to a staggering 409,600 ISO (Hi-4). This amazing ISO range rewrites the rulebook for available-light shooting, and is especially useful for professional sports shooters, photojournalists, as well as military and law enforcement agencies. The powerful EXPEED 4 image-processing engine incorporates an entirely new algorithm for even higher ISO noise reduction and color fidelity, resulting in an enhanced overall sharpness and clarity without sacrificing subtle textures and luminous details. The enhanced ISO is also a major advantage for other professionals including wedding and portrait photographers, who can now confidently capture the darkest reception, a candlelit ceremony, or create crisp studio portraits with flawless fidelity.

Other advanced Nikon technologies also contribute to the superior image quality of the Nikon D4S, including a new enhanced standard Picture Control tone curve that gives greater depth and clearer color rendition, especially on skin tones. For additional versatility, users have the ability to toggle Face Detect AF on or off while shooting through the viewfinder, and white balance calculation has been further refined for accuracy, while spot white balance is employed for easier presetting with more options.

Nikon's exclusive 91,000-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering III system returns on the D4S to help capture true-to-life colors while solving the most challenging exposures, from sun-lit snow to stadium lighting. The system works by meticulously analyzing the variables within each scene and recognizing factors such as color and brightness values with unprecedented exactness. This data is then interpreted and compared against the camera's on-board database to implement various settings, resulting in vibrant images with faithful color reproduction and balanced exposure.

Faster Workflow During and After Capture

While shooting speed and response matter in the moment, workflow speed has become increasingly important in a more competitive landscape. The D4S delivers upon the need for that speed with features that are engineered for today's professional:

New RAW SIZE S files: In addition to shooting JPEG, full size RAW (NEF) and TIFF files, the Nikon D4S also has a new file setting to enhance workflow, RAW SIZE S. This setting allows for shooting 12-bit uncompressed Nikon NEF files that are approximately half the size (2464 x 1640) of standard uncompressed RAW files and are more easily manageable—speeding up the entire workflow process.

Faster transfer rate: When connected via LAN, users can now transmit files using Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-T LAN). This significant decrease in transfer times means more time to shoot, and less time transmitting files.

Improved battery life: Despite its processing power, the D4S is remarkably power-efficient. With the addition of a new EN-EL18a Lithium-Ion battery, the D4S can easily outlast the action with up 3,020 (CIPA rating) shots in single mode and 5,960 shots (Nikon testing) in continuous mode.

Dual card slots: The D4S uses both CF cards as well as the super-fast XQD card format to achieve the fastest possible transfer and write times.

Nikon D4S Rear View

Video Features Fit for the Modern Production Environment

With an increase in potent processing power, the D4S ups the ante when it comes to multimedia workflow and content capture. A versatile tool on location or on set, the D4S offers enhanced video quality and video-friendly features, in a compact and lightweight HD-SLR form factor. In addition to the innovative video attributes from the D4, the D4S offers the following new features:

Full HD video in variable frame rates: Users have the choice of various resolutions and frame rates, including a new 1080/60p option for increased flexibility in post. Users can also shoot at 1080 30p or a cinematic 24p, as well as various other NTSC and PAL frame rates and resolutions. By utilizing the B-Frame data compression method, users can record H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC format video with unmatched integrity for up to 29:59 minutes per clip.

Selectable image area: Users now have the ability to select an image area in Live View mode to match the glass or shooting style. To best suit the scene, FX, DX (1.5x) and 2.7x cropping is available.

Expanded ISO range for video and auto ISO control: D4S' FX-format image sensor and EXPEED 4 work hand-in-hand to render a natural transition between bright and dark scenes, all while delivering rich tones, sharp edges and minimized noise, even at high ISOs. The D-Movie mode has a wide standard ISO range — from 200 to 25,600 to shoot in nearly any lighting. Furthermore, the ISO can be pushed up to an ISO 409,600 (Hi-4) equivalent. Additionally, D4S lets you maintain manual exposure for controlled shutter speeds and aperture settings while the camera automatically dictates the ISO maximum sensitivity from 400 to Hi-4. For assignments with dramatic shifts in lighting, this can be a remarkably useful tool.

Uncompressed 1080 60p: For the purest video quality, the D4S allows direct output of uncompressed files via HDMI. Output can be recorded to an optional outboard digital video recorder, making for an efficient editing workflow.

Manual control: Like the D4 HD-SLR, D4S offers full manual control when shooting video for maximum creative versatility.

Simultaneous recording: When recording to an external digital recorder via HDMI, the D4S can now simultaneously write to the CF or XQD card. This function is ideal for creating backups and recording while live-streaming content.

Improved sound: The range of audio frequency is now selectable, with options such as Wide Range and Voice Range. Wind noise reduction and audio levels can be changed during recording.

Smoother exposure transition during time-lapse and interval-time shooting: Creating breathtaking time-lapse movies is even easier with the D4S. The camera renders exposure transitions with unprecedented smoothness. Such scenes have been difficult to capture in manual or auto exposure mode, but now users can apply an auto exposure to achieve professional-grade time-lapse and interval-time shooting.

NIKKOR lens compatibility: The highest caliber optics are vital to creating HD images and Nikon is the world leader in optics manufacturing with a legacy spanning more than 80 years. Nikon has a vast NIKKOR lens system, with more than 80 lenses including 65 FX-format lenses with a variety of focal lengths and features, including VR vibration reduction.

Pro Grade Construction and Controls

As a flagship camera for professionals, the D4S is engineered to excel in the world's toughest environments, while giving pros the features needed to get the shot. The shutter has been tested to 400,000 cycles, and the camera chassis is constructed of lightweight and durable magnesium alloy. Additionally, the camera is sealed and gasketed from moisture, dust and electromagnetic interference to resist the elements.

While shooting, users will appreciate a slightly modified control layout and ergonomics for faster and more comfortable shooting. Subtle changes increase grip and comfort, making the camera easier to hold for a wider range of hand sizes and more comfortable during prolonged use. Photographers will also benefit from composing through a bright viewfinder with 100% coverage. The D4S also features a newly designed mirror-moving mechanism, which uniformly and effectively absorbs mirror slap to minimize viewfinder blackout time. Even at 11 fps, this innovation makes it easier to track a fast subject through the optical viewfinder.

The wide and bright high-resolution 921k dot, 3.2-inch LCD screen of the Nikon D4S lets users easily change menu settings, compose and review images. Photographers have the ability to customize the color of the LCD monitor to better match studio monitors or personal preference. Additionally, the LCD monitor retains its auto-brightness function that automatically adjusts the brightness of the monitor to increase visibility and conserve battery life.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D4S HD-SLR will be available March 6, 2014 for a suggested retail price* (SRP) of $6499.95*. Pre-Order Here

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Adding a Light to Gain Control of Exposure (Video)

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 02:07 PM PST

As a photographer, you know that to create a striking portrait, you must properly expose your subject. But what about the background? Though the background may seem less important, how it is captured makes all the difference in making your subject stand out from their surroundings. In this video, Joe McNally shows us one way to make a photo’s background work to its benefit:

With Ken Collins–one of the last living pilots of the SR-71 Blackbird plane–as his subject, McNally knew that he had to use the Blackbird in the shot. He had Collins stand boldly on the needle-sharp nose of the plane, with the sun setting and a blue sky behind him. While this would have made a good shot in natural light alone, McNally used an easy lighting trick to make it a great shot.

First, he pointed a 1200 Watt/second Profoto Power Pack strobe at his subject, using a long-throw reflector for a powerful beam.
Then he added a warming gel to mimic the fading sunlight (it was approaching the golden hour as the shot was taken).
This lighting allowed him to stop down his aperture, properly exposing the subject while giving the sky a deeper, darker color, thus adding contrast and interest to the shot.

McNally’s lighting diagram

Final image. Natural lighting alone would give the image a much lighter sky and little contrast.

“The key to it is to use a light up front that doesn’t call attention to itself,” says McNally. This specific method will work great just before sunset, but try experimenting with lighting at other times of day to find new ways to change your background and make your photos more interesting.

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Interesting Photo of the Day: Signals on a Djibouti Coast

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 12:26 PM PST

John Stanmeyer was walking along the beach in Djibouti City when he spotted a handful of men raising their phones to the full moon. He turned to his translator and asked what they were doing. These are Somalian refugees, his translator explained, with Somalian SIM cards, trying to catch a signal from back home. Stanmeyer was entranced by this ultra-modern example of refugee homesickness, and quickly snapped this World Press Photo of the Year:

Somali refugees stand with their phones to the sky. (Via World Press Photo. Click for larger image.)

The image was taken as part of author Paul Salopek’s epic seven-year journey from Ethiopia across the Middle East and Asia to the southern tip of Chile, called Out of Eden, in connection with National Geographic. Stanmeyer joined Salopek through the horn of Africa with his Canon 5D Mark III, which for this shot he set to ISO 10,000 with a 1.4 f-stop to capture as much of the milky light as possible.

You can listen to Stanmeyer tell the quick two-minute story behind this photo himself as part of ThinkTank Photo’s “About a Photo” series:

“This is a perfect example of modern-day migration, and the issues related to modern-day migration, with our ability and desire to reconnect with our loved ones back home… That natural desire of needing to connect is universal in all of us. It’s a photograph of hope.” – John Stanmeyer

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How to Photograph a Waterfall Using a Polarizer (Video)

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 10:33 AM PST

Waterfalls have been a compelling subject for photographers since the the birth of the art form; they represent Mother Nature at her most powerful and beautiful. How, then, do we keep making interesting photos of something so often captured? In this video, Bryan Peterson demonstrates how, by combining the glory of nature with a bit of artistic intervention, you can do just that:

For his subject, Peterson uses the Upper North Falls in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon–a stone’s throw from his former home in Salem. The falls, surrounded by lush greenery and cascading into a wide, babbling creek, make for a beautiful photograph on their own, but Peterson shows how adding a little more visual interest can really highlight their beauty:

Set up your tripod and camera low to the surface of the water (or simply the ground).
Use a wide-angle lens, like the Nikkor 17-35mm, to capture as much of the scenery as possible.
To keep the entire image in focus while giving the falls a sense of motion, use a small aperture setting and a slow shutter speed.
Add a polarizing filter to your lens (Peterson uses the Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer). This will not only reduce glare from the water’s surface and increase color saturation, it will allow you to use an even longer shutter speed.
Since you’re using such a long exposure, use the Mirror Lock-Up setting on your camera, as well as a cable release to cut down on blurring.
Lastly, add the finishing touch: a bit of color in the foreground to make a more compelling composition. Peterson uses fallen autumn leaves–obviously, these will not always be available, so get creative!
Expose and enjoy the results!

A comparison between the image with no intervention from the photographer, and the image with added leaves. Both are pretty, but the latter is a bit more interesting to look at.

“Remember: you are in charge of your own creativity.”

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