{"id":22365,"date":"2024-10-04T10:15:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T10:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/?p=22365"},"modified":"2024-10-04T10:15:02","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T10:15:02","slug":"ups-and-downs-shooting-sunrises-and-sunsets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/ups-and-downs-shooting-sunrises-and-sunsets\/","title":{"rendered":"Ups and downs: shooting sunrises and sunsets"},"content":{"rendered":"Approx read: <\/span> 5<\/span> mins<\/span><\/span>

Its instinctive to grab your phone or camera and capture the sun\u2019s appearance or departure.<\/h2>\n

Why? Because it feels right.<\/h3>\n
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Mediterranean sunrise \u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Golden Hours<\/h4>\n

I\u2019m not a gambler, but if I were, I\u2019d wager that you\u2019ve been seduced by a sunset or sunrise on vacation and attempted to capture the majesty of the experience. You can\u2019t help it can you?<\/p>\n

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Sunset at Te Henga, Auckland, New Zealand \u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tourists take more photos of sunrises and sunsets than anything else: here\u2019s why<\/h4>\n

It’s true. We’re obsessed with that massive ball of fire. And why not? Sunrises and sunsets are nature’s own spectacular light show, a daily reminder that even in the midst of crime and chaos, there’s beauty to be found.<\/p>\n

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Sunrise, Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta \u00a0\u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But there’s more to it than just the golden tones that appear as the sun gets up and down, isn’t there? Something deeper lurks beneath the surface of our collective sunrise\/sunset obsession, something that speaks to our primal need for\u2026 well, let’s get the profound thoughts sorted out below\u2026<\/p>\n

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Sunset over Sheik Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE \u00a0\u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The secular sacrament<\/h4>\n

For many of us moderns, raised on a diet of science and reason, the sunrise and sunset can hold an emotional \u2013 but not religious – significance. No, we’re not worshipping Ra of the Egyptians or writing Grecian lore about Helios or connecting the event to a supernatural creator: it’s more about a connection to something bigger than ourselves, a reminder of the vastness of the universe and the fleeting nature or fragility of our own existence.<\/p>\n

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Sunrise, Uretiti Beach, Northland, New Zealand \u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Call it secular humanism, cosmic awe, or just plain old wonder \u2013 there’s something undeniably moving about witnessing the beginning and end of our planet\u2019s daily dance with the sun. It’s a moment of shared experience, a reminder that we’re all just tiny specks on this blue and green dot, hurtling through space together. And who doesn’t love a bit of existential pondering with their morning coffee?<\/p>\n

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Sunset, Mongkok, Hong Kong \u00a0\u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heightened holiday<\/h4>\n

Of course, these sun-emotions are amplified when we’re on vacation \u2013 we can tend to lean into thoughts that get us more philosophical about our families and friends, the past and what lies ahead. Let’s face it, everything feels more poignant when you’re somewhere new, exotic, exciting, or even peaceful.<\/p>\n

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Sunrise, north-west coast, Malta \u00a0\u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When we are removed from our stresses and the petty annoyances of our daily grind, our senses are heightened, our minds are open to new experiences, and we’re more likely to appreciate the simple things in life \u2013 like the fiery spectacle of a dying day. Plus, let’s be honest, a killer sunset makes for a much better Instagram post than filming a Karen exploding on your commute to work.<\/p>\n

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Sunset, Point aux Piments, Mauritius \u00a0\u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Smartphone savvy<\/h4>\n

Speaking of Instagram, there are a few things to know about capturing the Golden Hours. While professional photographers may scoff at our reliance on smartphones, there’s no denying their convenience and surprisingly excellent results. But in saying that, here are a few tips to elevate your sunset\/sunrise game:<\/p>\n

Clean your lens:<\/strong> This sounds too obvious, but you’d be surprised how many fingerprints and smudges can sabotage a potentially epic shot.<\/p>\n

Embrace the grid:<\/strong> Those gridlines on your phone’s camera aren\u2019t there to annoy or confuse \u2013 bring them up to compose your shot and keep those horizons straight. No one loves a wonky sunset.<\/p>\n

Play with exposure:<\/strong> Tap-tap on the screen to adjust the brightness and bring out the details in the shadows or highlights. This may require you do a tiny bit of research on how your phone gets this done\u2026<\/p>\n

Experiment with angles:<\/strong> Though it\u2019s tempting, don’t just point and shoot \u2013 that sun normally takes a decent amount of time to get up and down on your horizon. Crouch low, tippy-toe high: find a unique perspective that gets you excited about what you are photographing.<\/p>\n

Consider the foreground:<\/strong> Yes, the sun is a stunner and the star of the show [pun intended], but a striking silhouette or interesting object in the foreground can add depth and intrigue to your photo.<\/p>\n

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Sunrise, Tynemouth beach, northeast England \u00a0\u00a9 Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Its really OK to do nothing<\/h4>\n

But here’s the thing: sometimes, it’s okay to just put the phone down and soak it all in. Not every experience needs to be documented. There are times when the very best moments are the ones we keep to ourselves – they create the type of memories that last longer than the purpose of likes and comments on your socials which quickly cease to be important.<\/p>\n

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Sunset, Muriwai, New Zealand \u00a0\u00a9Kim Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So next time you find yourself mesmerised by a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, resist the urge to immediately grab your phone. Take a couple of breaths, listen to and appreciate what is happening around you, and simply enjoy the moment. Trust me, the inner-you will be happier.<\/p>\n

Then take the photo anyway. Just in case.<\/p>\n

Fiji and Me<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n