A couple of weeks ago now, myself and Dan (Our resident Videographer) headed out at silly o'clock in the morning to capture the sunrise at Northampton Sailing club.
I'm not going to lie, the temperature was freezing, to say the least, and my alarm going off at 4:30 am was nothing short of painful, but you can't get those incredible shots without dedication to the cause, so a 6 am meeting time, before the rest of the world had woken up was the order of the day. For obvious reasons, you also have to actually be there before the sun rises to get set up and plan your shot.
Sunrise is one of the most beautiful and peaceful times of day, and it's no surprise that many photographers choose to capture it in their work. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, photographing sunrise can produce some epic shots. With the right preparation, equipment, and technique, you can capture stunning images that showcase the beauty of the sunrise and the world around it. So I thought, In this blog, we could cover a handful of tips and tricks for photographing sunrise that will help you get the best results.
Plan your shot: Before you head out to take photos, it's important to plan your shot. Determine the location where you want to take your photos, the time of day when the sunrise is expected, and the angle at which you want to take the photos. This will help you to determine the best equipment and settings to use.
Arrive early: Early mornings are unavoidable when it comes to sunrise shots, so ensure that you have plenty of time to set up and get the best shots, it's important to arrive at your location early. This will give you time to scope out the area and find the best spot to set up your equipment. The sun won't wait for you to be ready, so we were sure to establish ourselves nice and early.
Use a tripod: To get the best results, it's important to use a tripod when photographing sunrise. This will help you keep your camera steady and prevent camera shake, which can result in blurry images.
Experiment with shutter speed: The shutter speed you use when photographing sunrise will have a big impact on the final result. Experiment with different shutter speeds to see what works best for your specific situation. If you want to capture the motion of the clouds, for example, you may want to use a slower shutter speed.
Pay attention to the background: When photographing sunrise, it's important to pay attention and take note of your surroundings. Make sure that the background is free of distractions, such as power lines or buildings. If necessary, adjust your position to get a better view. Remember that lighting is going to change as the sun comes up, so account for that and change your settings periodically to make sure you've got a well-exposed and clear shot.
Post-processing: After you've taken your photos, you may want to do some post-processing to enhance the final result. This could include adjusting the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels, as well as adding filters or other effects.
In conclusion, photographing sunrise can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With the right preparation, equipment, and technique, you can capture stunning images that showcase the beauty of the sunrise and the world around it.
I've popped a little gallery together below of some of my favourite shots from the morning's activities, which I think came out incredibly!
Huge, Huge thanks to Dan for picking out an incredible location!
Peace, Love and Photos.
Jono x