Photographing sunrise can yield spectacular shots, especially when you're ready to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Knowing how to handle these moments effectively can make the difference between a good and an outstanding photo.
Coming to you from Gary Gough, this insightful video walks you through a sunrise photography session at Mumbles Lighthouse, showcasing the importance of adapting quickly as natural conditions shift. Gough emphasizes the necessity of using various filters to achieve the desired effects, demonstrating the visual difference between a shorter five-second exposure and a much longer two-minute exposure. He explains clearly why selecting the right shutter speed matters, particularly when capturing water movement, which can significantly alter the mood and feel of your image. He also provides a practical example of how to leverage a starburst effect by using a very small aperture just as the sun breaks over the horizon, showing you exactly how to execute this visually striking technique. Watching this process unfold offers valuable practical tips you can apply directly in the field.
Gough also highlights the advantage of adapting your composition and position throughout a shoot. He describes shifting his camera angle lower to make use of interesting foreground elements, including reflective pebbles, to add depth and interest. This technique underscores the value of experimentation, emphasizing that even slight positional adjustments can profoundly enhance the resulting images. Additionally, he shares a useful method of combining multiple exposures in post-production to address tricky lighting scenarios, like balancing bright sunlit areas with shadowy foreground elements. Gough’s willingness to experiment and clearly articulate his thought process provides actionable insights into managing challenging photographic conditions effectively.
Beyond technique, the video discusses the creativity required when typical conditions fade, such as after sunrise has fully emerged. Instead of packing up, Gough turns his attention towards abstract photography and silhouette compositions, leveraging the unique lighting conditions available after sunrise. This part of the shoot shows how changing lenses and settings to creatively interpret the environment can keep a photography session productive well beyond the "golden moment." His approach to capturing silhouettes by intentionally underexposing images illustrates a clever technique to highlight shapes and forms dramatically, using backlighting from the sun itself.
The session closes with Gough capturing images of distant birds and highlighting how such seemingly small elements can elevate the storytelling aspect of your photography. He details specific camera settings ideal for freezing birds in flight, which you might otherwise overlook, offering valuable guidance on maximizing your opportunities even as conditions become less favorable. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gough.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
