Sunsets

What white balance do most of yoou prefer for sunsets?

Shoot in raw and then adjust the white balance to your liking on the computer. Each sunset is different, so no one white balance setting is going to fit all occasions.

Phrasikleia wrote in post #10653024
Shoot in raw and then adjust the white balance to your liking on the computer. Each sunset is different, so no one white balance setting is going to fit all occasions.

I always shoot in RAW but when processing many photos it semms that it would be easier if I was close to the correct WB from then start. I also find that certain WB settings tend to block up the shadows so that detail recovery is difficult or even impossible. I know that this is generally handled with exposure but I find it is somehow connected to WB as well.

Larry Weinman wrote in post #10653069
I always shoot in RAW but when processing many photos it semms that it would be easier if I was close to the correct WB from then start. I also find that certain WB settings tend to block up the shadows so that detail recovery is difficult or even impossible. I know that this is generally handled with exposure but I find it is somehow connected to WB as well.

Well, I suppose the "Daylight" preset will be the best starting point. Sunset exposures are quite tricky. You'll have the most luck with them if you use an ND grad of some sort, expose to the right, and use ISO 100 (tripod highly recommended).

'Daylight' film used to cope pretty well so I'd assume the Daylight WB would replicate this pretty well?

But as others have said - Shoot raw and adjust to taste

I use Kelvin....2,000 degrees or so. I work my way warmer until I get a deep blue and warm orange.

MichaelBernard's reply raises a good point. There are very different types of sunset photos possible, depending on taste, timing, and location. Sometimes a very blue setting, like his 2000K setting, might be appropriate; other times, you might want a much warmer setting, such as Daylight or even Cloudy. NYC's skyline is probably going to look better on the cooler side, most of the time, but Waikiki would almost certainly benefit from a warmer glow, as long as the sun is above the horizon. Of course, your mileage and taste may vary.

Got me wondering if using a grey card will work.