People often comment on the photos on my instagram @tjvvin12. Many of them are sunrises, as I walk the beach near my home most days. Capturing stunning photographs of the sunrise can be easy.
Whether you're using a professional camera or a cellphone camera, there are certain things to keep in mind to ensure that you capture the best possible images. Here is a short guide on how to take great sunrise photographs with a cellphone camera:
1. It’s not about the sunrise. The “pre-show” starts as early as an hour before the sun breaks the horizon, so get there at least thirty minutes before. Rays passing through the low atmosphere will illuminate the night sky and the clouds. Colors will shift from black, royal purple, grey, pink, red, orange, and yellow, to blinding white. Don’t miss the best part.
The pre-show is my favoirte time
2. Take many pictures. I often take over 100 pictures per day, and most are not worth sharing.
3. Don’t let the sky overhead determine the potential of the morning. What matters most is the clarity of the eastern sky. The best mornings are cloudy. Often clouds will produce better color and photographic interest.
Clouds are your friend
4. Adjust exposure and focus: Sunrise photography can be challenging due to the high contrast between the bright sky and the darker foreground. To avoid overexposing the sky or underexposing the foreground, use exposure compensation to adjust the exposure settings. Start with a -1 or -2 exposure compensation to darken the sky and capture more detail in the foreground. Many cell cameras adjust the light automatically when you change focus points. Focus on both the foreground and directly on the sun, and then adjust the exposure until you get the light you like.
5. Use the rule of thirds: To create a balanced and visually pleasing composition, use the rule of thirds. Divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and place the horizon/sun at one of the intersecting points.
Look for balance in the scene
6. Shoot in the highest resolution possible. Shooting in RAW format allows you to capture more detail and provides greater flexibility in post-processing. If your cellphone camera supports RAW format, use it to capture sunrise photos. This will allow you maximum flexibility but consumes the most storage. Check your camera settings to use a resolution that will allow you to blow up a poster-size print. You can always save at a lower resolution for online posting.
7. Find something other than the sun. The waves, rocks, animals, people, fences, and structures add visual interest. Treat the sun as one prop in a world filled with interesting detail.
Get creative
8. Avoid too much zooming: Digital zoom on your cellphone camera often degrades the image quality. Instead, try to get closer to the subject or crop the image later.
9. Experiment with different angles: Don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives to capture unique and creative sunrise photos. Shoot from different heights and positions to get a variety of shots.
Walking down the beach moved the sun to a more ideal location.
10. Don’t forget landscape mode. Turn that camera wide and cover way more of the horizon. Panorama mode can be even more dramatic.
Wide is wonderful
Sunrise photography requires patience, preparation, and practice. Follow these tips to capture stunning sunrise photos with your cellphone camera and create lasting memories.