Sunrise vs. Sunset

[slappy sam]

Which do you prefer to shoot during? I'm mostly speaking about landscape photography, but feel free to vote regardless. Personally I prefer shooting at sunrise; I feel like it is more exciting and I also feel like I have more time to prepare for the sunrise than the sunset. And after the sun rises I am able to shoot for ~1 hour before the good light goes away. Also, if I show up 30 minutes before the sunrise I can set up and start shooting then in the nice light. Plus, after I'm done shooting it is like 8:00 AM and I can go get a nice cup of coffee and something to eat... and continue with my day :P

The light at sunrise/sunset is different though; I think sunset is more vibrant but sunrise light is nice as well.

EDIT: I meant to make a poll, but whatever... can't do it now I don't think.

[Moppie]

Well to get to any decent locations I need to drive for at least an hour, personaly I would rather shoot sunsets :D

But, I have seen some spectacular sunrises before, and your right about the light, its just the getting up early........

[rhys]

I used to live near the coast in Wales and used to see some great sunsets. Then I moved to the US and now can see no real sunsets/sunrises as I'm inland. When we go to the coast, I can sometimes see some great sunrises.

[timbernet]

I like the light in sunrises - BUT I hate, despise, loathe, etc getting up so EARLY....

[rhys]

I like the light in sunrises - BUT I hate, despise, loathe, etc getting up so EARLY....

So you're not a morning person then?

[timbernet]

So you're not a morning person then?

I am fine waking up at 7am - but with the sun coming up at 6am - that means I have to wake up really early to get clean and make it to a location to take photos.

[Becca]

I'd much rather shoot a sunrise... a lot less people around to muck up the shots! :D I've been known to set my alarm for 3:30 to be on the road by 4 and drive an hour or so to be in place for a sunrise. Of course, I don't mind being in bed by 9pm either!

[20droger]

I used to live near the coast in Wales and used to see some great sunsets. Then I moved to the US and now can see no real sunsets/sunrises as I'm inland. When we go to the coast, I can sometimes see some great sunrises.
Hmmm.... Must be living in that spot in Kansas (according to Mad Magazine) where the sun never shines. I live inland (se Arizona) and we have both sunrises and sunsets, often quite spectacular.

All things being equal, sunrises tend to be softer and more pastel, often quite beautiful, and distinctly different from sunsets. This is because there is usually less dust in the air at sunrise. It tends to settle out at dewfall.

Sunsets, on the other hand, tend to be more brilliant and striking (more saturated) because of the dust (and pollution) in suspension. The most striking sunsets occur in connection with storms, especially after volcanic erruptions (even little burp-sized ones).

One of the effects of the eruption of Krakatau was spectacular sunsets worldwide for over seven years. These were produced by the dust and ash in suspension, but mostly by the sulpher dioxide in the stratosphere, which produced slightly iridecsent skies.

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

I choose which ever one provides the best light on my subject. But if I had to pick - there is something magical about the sun coming up. Or maybe I am just weird:oops:.

Shaun

[sando]

Sunsets.

Why? Because you're 99.99% of the time awake at sunset and can judge whether it'll be a spectacular one or not and worth trekking out somewhere to shoot it.

How often are you awake for sunrise? especially in England at summertime... Im not sure the sun even sets in summer!!

[johnstoy]

For me it's situational...and location is always key...

If I'm on the east coast... the Atlantic is great for the sunrise starting in the East... Inland, the lake shores make for good sunrises and sunsets too... Also wide, meandering rivers are fabulous for side lighting and afternoon light...;)

The west coast of the Pacific is most awesome for sunsets, as it seems, they take all evening to happen... and again inland in the west, the Rockies and the Sierra's offer opportunities for bright subtle sunrises from the east, and dramatic, quick sunsets, with long shadows over the western mtn. peaks...

Now that I have an DSLR, I'd love to back track to all the place I've been to in the past, and get a second shot at them...:D

[dancad]

It's sunrise for me. In the fall, when you get really fresh mornings there is many times a beautiful mist rising from the motionless mirror-like waters...that combined with the colors in the sky and clouds and reflections in those waters is well worth the early trek outdoors. You also wouldn't believe the amount of bird activity this early in the morning...and being a bird watcher/photographer this bodes very well indeed...
Now that I have an DSLR, I'd love to back track to all the place I've been to in the past, and get a second shot at them...:D

Johnstoy, I've had that very same thought many times too... :-)

[johnstoy]

It's sunrise for me. In the fall, when you get really fresh mornings there is many times a beautiful mist rising from the motionless mirror-like waters...that combined with the colors in the sky and clouds and reflections in those waters is well worth the early trek outdoors. You also wouldn't believe the amount of bird activity this early in the morning...and being a bird watcher/photographer this bodes very well indeed...

Johnstoy, I've had that very same thought many times too... :-)


Very well described... The early mornings at a quiet lake are awesome... often the water temperature is warmer than the ambient air temperature, causing a misty morning for several minutes... That's when the water fowl fly in and out and make for great spontaneous scenerey...

A bird clinging to a tall grass or cattail, water lilies, and those yellow (butter cup like) water flowers are great... a turtle on a log, a frog on a Lilly pad... all in the sun rise and mist would be ideal for me... (I'm dreaming...) should get the row boat out...:D

[rhys]

Hmmm.... Must be living in that spot in Kansas (according to Mad Magazine) where the sun never shines. I live inland (se Arizona) and we have both sunrises and sunsets, often quite spectacular.

All things being equal, sunrises tend to be softer and more pastel, often quite beautiful, and distinctly different from sunsets. This is because there is usually less dust in the air at sunrise. It tends to settle out at dewfall.

Sunsets, on the other hand, tend to be more brilliant and striking (more saturated) because of the dust (and pollution) in suspension. The most striking sunsets occur in connection with storms, especially after volcanic erruptions (even little burp-sized ones).

One of the effects of the eruption of Krakatau was spectacular sunsets worldwide for over seven years. These were produced by the dust and ash in suspension, but mostly by the sulpher dioxide in the stratosphere, which produced slightly iridecsent skies.

One word (two actually): Light Pollution. It ruins all sunsets and sunrises, here.