Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)?

doidinho · 20th of June 2008 (Fri)

I was thinking about this today and I have come to the conclusion that I prefer sunset over sunrise. I know that in many situations it will depend on the exposure of your subject; however, if I'm going to go out shooting and don't know what I will be shooting I much prefer sunset.

Is it me or does the good light last longer at sunset than at sunrise? In addition there is more light to see with to compose your photo before the shot, it's warmer, and you don't need to wake up at 3:00am.

PhotosGuy · 21st of June 2008 (Sat)

Same difference, except if you're shooting cars, you may have condensation problems at sunrise.

A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated

slappy sam · 21st of June 2008 (Sat)

I've seen a lot more dramatic (red/purple) skies at sunset than sunrise. Dunno though, maybe its just because I see many more sunsets than sunrises.

williamfriggle · 21st of June 2008 (Sat)

I voted sunset. I can not get up early enough to see the sunrise anymore. LOL. At least not up enough to function enough to take pictures.

I shot this at sunset. Nice lighting I think.

Shutterbug Doug · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

I chose sunset but it really depends on what kind of sky you're looking for. There may be no difference but I feel that the sunrise sky can be/seem darker than a sunset. Call me weird....LOL

Moppie · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

Depends which way you want the light to hit the subject.

iamaelephant · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

I prefer to shoot sunrises because I love early mornings, but as far as light goes I say sunsets. There tends to be a lot of mist in the air during sunrise which gets burnt off during the day leaving the air clear for sunset.

Molnies · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

I voted Sunrise. It's no question here where I live, the sunrise has a magical light to it that the sunset just can't match. At sunrise you will almost always have some morning fog as well which adds depth to your photos.
I don't mind going out at 3am if it means I can catch that morning light.

jde95tln · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

I gotta go with sunrise as well, mostly due to these photos that I had just taken yesterday morning on my way home from work. It was beautiful. But of course it does matter what you are trying to photograph, some things look better at certain times of the day as opposed to other times.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...20#post5768620

chauncey · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

One of my best shots ever was at sunset in Colorado.

The forest fires off to the west from Utah created a really stunning sky. That "look" never happens at sunrise.

Hermeto · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

I am too lazy to write, so I’m waiting for somebody else to write a post that I could agree with..

Voted sunrise, BTW..

Eagle · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moppie

Depends which way you want the light to hit the subject.

This would be the correct answer, IMO.

doidinho · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

This would be the correct answer, IMO.

Read the second sentance im my original post.

chauncey · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

The sun goes round and round, the earth goes round and round.

Why might the light take longer to exit than it does to enter, although there might be a difference due to geography (mountains and such).

You might have phrased your response a little more gracefully.

CAL Imagery · 22nd of June 2008 (Sun)

I like sunset because of the colors I can get, or have achieved, and I'm better at it right now. It seems half the battle of sunrise is getting out and set up early enough.

View Poll Results: Best light: sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise	20	38.46%
Sunset	32	61.54%
Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll

20th of June 2008 (Fri)	#1
doidinho Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kenmore, Washington Posts: 3,160	Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I was thinking about this today and I have come to the conclusion that I prefer sunset over sunrise. I know that in many situations it will depend on the exposure of your subject; however, if I'm going to go out shooting and don't know what I will be shooting I much prefer sunset. Is it me or does the good light last longer at sunset than at sunrise? In addition there is more light to see with to compose your photo before the shot, it's warmer, and you don't need to wake up at 3:00am. __________________ Robert McCadden My Flickr MM 5DMKII, Rebel xti, 24-105 f/4L, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Canon 17-40.

21st of June 2008 (Sat)	#2
PhotosGuy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: S. E. Michigan Posts: 64,385	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? Same difference, except if you're shooting cars, you may have condensation problems at sunrise. A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated __________________ FrankC - 20D, RAW, Manual everything... Classic Carz, Racing, Air Show, Flowers. www.FrankCizek.com Find the light... A few Car Lighting Tips, and MOVE YOUR FEET! Have you thought about making your own book? // Need an exposure crutch?

21st of June 2008 (Sat)	#3
slappy sam Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Near Plymouth, MA Posts: 1,446	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I've seen a lot more dramatic (red/purple) skies at sunset than sunrise. Dunno though, maybe its just because I see many more sunsets than sunrises. __________________ 40D\|10-20\|17-50\|70-200\|580ex FS: XT with 2 OEM batteries

21st of June 2008 (Sat)	#4
williamfriggle Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA Posts: 216 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I voted sunset. I can not get up early enough to see the sunrise anymore. LOL. At least not up enough to function enough to take pictures. I shot this at sunset. Nice lighting I think. __________________ Bill XTi, A2, 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS, 50 1.8, 28-105 USM II 3.5-4.5, 540EZ, 430 EX. Last edited by williamfriggle : 21st of June 2008 (Sat) at 21:48.

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#5
Shutterbug Doug "Ducks Gone Wild" Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jefferson, GA Posts: 949 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I chose sunset but it really depends on what kind of sky you're looking for. There may be no difference but I feel that the sunrise sky can be/seem darker than a sunset. Call me weird....LOL __________________ Bodies: Canon 7D(gripped) - Canon 1DmkII - Canon 30D(gripped) Lenses: Sigma 18-50 f2.8-4.5 DC OS - Canon 24 f2.8 - Canon 50 f1.4 - Canon 35-80 f4.0-5.6 - Canon 24-70 f2.8L USM - Canon 28-135 f3.5-5.6 IS - Canon 100 f2 - Canon "Nifty" - Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS USM - Sigma 170-500 f5-6.3 APO Accessories: Canon 420EX-Canon 580EXII- Manfroto 679B monopod- Manfrotto 3021BPRO w/390RC2 - Canon EF 1.4x II

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#6
Moppie He's a Mod, He's a Mod. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Akarana, Aotearoa. (Kiwiland) Posts: 14,265 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? Depends which way you want the light to hit the subject. __________________ flickr Have you Calibrated your Monkey lately?

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#7
iamaelephant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 336 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I prefer to shoot sunrises because I love early mornings, but as far as light goes I say sunsets. There tends to be a lot of mist in the air during sunrise which gets burnt off during the day leaving the air clear for sunset. __________________ -- Martin Canon 30D \| Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 \| EF 50mm f/1.8 II Flickr

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#8
Molnies Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Coast, Sweden Posts: 277	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I voted Sunrise. It's no question here where I live, the sunrise has a magical light to it that the sunset just can't match. At sunrise you will almost always have some morning fog as well which adds depth to your photos. I don't mind going out at 3am if it means I can catch that morning light. __________________ Fredrik — Portfolio 50D — 350D + BG-E3 — 100-400mm L IS — 100mm f/2.8 Macro — 50mm f/1.8 — EF-S 18-55mm — Tamron 90 f/2.8 Macro Manfrotto 055ProB + 488RC2 — Speedlite 430EX — Sigma EM-140 DG Macro flash — Kenko tubes

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#9
jde95tln Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,182 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I gotta go with sunrise as well, mostly due to these photos that I had just taken yesterday morning on my way home from work. It was beautiful. But of course it does matter what you are trying to photograph, some things look better at certain times of the day as opposed to other times. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...20#post5768620 __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jde95tln/ http://jds-photography.deviantart.com/ Rebel XTi, 430EX, Canon 18-55mm IS, 50mm, 75-300mm.

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#10
chauncey Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MI/CO Posts: 7,688 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? One of my best shots ever was at sunset in Colorado. The forest fires off to the west from Utah created a really stunning sky. That "look" never happens at sunrise.

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#11
Hermeto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 6,657 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I am too lazy to write, so I’m waiting for somebody else to write a post that I could agree with.. Voted sunrise, BTW.. __________________ What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

22nd of June 2008 (Sun)	#15
CAL Imagery Goldmember Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: O-H Posts: 3,297	Re: Best Light: Sunrise or Sunset (in general)? I like sunset because of the colors I can get, or have achieved, and I'm better at it right now. It seems half the battle of sunrise is getting out and set up early enough. __________________ Christian Facebook Fan Page! Website Blog D800 + Zeiss = I'm going to Southeast Asia!

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