Every newcomer to photography learns one thing, or should learn it at least: light is the most important factor in any photograph. With that said, there is a lot to explore in the world of lighting, and it can take years before you finally decide on your style of choice.
We've all got to start somewhere and there is a way of shooting I would recommend to every single beginner out there. If you like portraits, there is no better way to start learning than by shooting at sunset. It is one of the most basic, yet effective ways of taking photographs, and even after many years and a lot of complicated lighting setups, I still like to go out with a friend, a camera and a 50mm lens and take some shots.
(Success Tip: Master photography with a simple deck of cards here)
The light at sunset is soft and flattering. It will make your model look good and it will cast less harsh shadows. You can work with sunset lighting in more ways than one because you can use it directly on your model or you can shoot against it and still get beautiful results.
Colors will be a lot warmer which is great for skin tones, and the lower contrast will give you more flexibility in post processing.
The great thing about taking portraits at sunset is that you need a minimum amount of gear. One DSLR and a $100 50mm f1.8 lens are enough. The fact that it’s so simple will allow you to focus more on getting the right expression from the model and improving your composition. Generally, these portraits are taken at wide apertures, and that nice, soft bokeh is one of the elements that will make your portraits stand out.
Here is a video made by WeeklyImogen where she shares some interesting tips about shooting at sunset.
Learn more about shooting portraits from these recommended books:
- Portrait Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots
- Direction & Quality of Light: Your Key to Better Portrait Photography Anywhere
- Essential Elements of Portrait Photography: Lighting and Posing Techniques to Make Everyone Look Their Best