So You F@#9ed Up Another Sunset Pic, Again?

Introduction

Sunsets are a breathtaking natural phenomenon that evokes a sense of wonder and tranquility. No matter what, you always screw them up, right? In this article, we will explore essential tips and techniques for taking the best sunset pictures with your cell phone, allowing you to preserve these magical moments and quit whining about never getting the right sunset pic and constantly annoying the rest of your friends who just want to get back to riding around or, well, anything other than another 20 mins of you staring at the sun and blinding yourself.

Part one of this two-part article is about the phone itself. Here are the top 5 tips for setting up your cellphone camera to capture beautiful lighting and shadows. In Part 2, we'll discuss timing, composition, and creating an amazing pic that tells more than 1,000 words. If you're into that kind of thing.

1. Clean Your Lens, It Might Be Nasty

Before taking any photo, ensure your smartphone's camera lens is clean and free from smudges or dust. Even tiny imperfections can affect the quality of your sunset image. Use a microfiber cloth or lens cleaning pen to gently wipe the lens clean, or your shirt if you're daring, but, that's up to you, I wouldn't.

2. Use Panorama Mode

If the stunning sunset view extends beyond the limitations of your smartphone's camera frame, switch to panorama mode. This allows you to capture the full grandeur of the sunset scene in a sweeping, wide-angle shot.

3. Use HDR Mode, and, Poof!! Now You're Set Above Everyone Else

Just to make sure you understand the importance of this next tip, I am highlighting it and marking it for you.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode is an invaluable tool for when there is a wide range of light in the scene. HDR combines multiple exposures to capture more details in both the bright and shadowy areas, resulting in a well-balanced and vibrant sunset photo.

4. Adjust Exposure Manually

In some cases, the automatic exposure settings of your smartphone may not capture the true beauty of the sunset. Take control of your shot by adjusting the exposure manually. On most smartphones, simply tap the screen to focus on the sun and then swipe up or down to adjust the exposure level until you achieve the desired effect.

I say most phones, but I mean most phones that have this function. To be quite serious and honest, this is a great way to get to know your phone's camera abilities and to vamp up your skills. Take time to play with manual exposure. Several free or inexpensive camera apps include it. Again, take time to have fun and explore images using multiple settings.

... Your friends wanted me to add: also only when you're alone, not with a group of people who just want to get to the movie, dinner, etc.

(Sure, I'll tell you. It's Jacob. He's the one complaining about you. Not sure what you did, but I don't think he likes you that much.)

5. Avoid Using Flash.

I hesitated before adding this tip, just because, well never mind. The point is getting it right, right? So, when photographing sunsets, and other images that include light, never use the flash on your smartphone. The flash will overpower the natural light and wash out the colors, resulting in an unnatural and unflattering image, like the one Jacob uses for his profile pic.

Conclusion

If this hasn't given you at least one aha, well, then I guess you wasted your time. I hope that you did get an aha. If you have any other tips to share about this, please write them in the comments.

I hope you come back for part 2 on timing and composition. Promise to be as supportive as I've been. Don't forget to subscribe and Tips are always welcome.

The Next Plan, July 2023