Chasing the SunChasing the Sun

Thoughts on Landscape PhotographyThoughts on Landscape Photography

Bert Lim PhotographyBert Lim Photography

EquipmentEquipment

Camera + LensesCamera + Lenses

DSLRDSLR

ProsumerProsumer superzoomssuperzooms

Compact point and shoot camerasCompact point and shoot cameras

TripodTripod

Stable and strong enough for weight of setup.Stable and strong enough for weight of setup.

Do not ignore specs of the head.Do not ignore specs of the head.

Only as strong as the weakest link.Only as strong as the weakest link.

Weight Weight vsvs Stability Stability vsvs Cost.Cost.

FiltersFilters

ND filters (neutral density)ND filters (neutral density)

GND filters (graduated neutral density)GND filters (graduated neutral density)

CirCir--PolarizersPolarizers

OthersOthers

Remote shutter releaseRemote shutter release

L platesL plates

Panoramic heads and nodal setupPanoramic heads and nodal setup

Why Sunrise or Sunset?Why Sunrise or Sunset?

Golden lightGolden light

Colors in the skyColors in the sky

Able to shoot into the sunAble to shoot into the sun

Just plain beautifulJust plain beautiful

Dynamic color changes in minutesDynamic color changes in minutes

Scouting for SitesScouting for Sites

East facing for sunriseEast facing for sunrise

West facing for sunsetWest facing for sunset

Water element desiredWater element desired

Google maps (Satellite view)Google maps (Satellite view)

Sun Seeker Sun Seeker iphoneiphone appapp

NEA website (timings and tide)NEA website (timings and tide)

Remember: Safety First !Remember: Safety First !

Always bring a torchlight.Always bring a torchlight.

Arrive early and scout the place out.Arrive early and scout the place out.

When going into water/mud make sure you have When going into water/mud make sure you have secure footing.secure footing.

Wear proper footwear.Wear proper footwear.

Make sure rocks are stable where you step and Make sure rocks are stable where you step and setup your camera.setup your camera.

Spread your tripod legs wider for more stability.Spread your tripod legs wider for more stability.

Be mindful of the CG of your body and setup.Be mindful of the CG of your body and setup.

Go slow and steady.Go slow and steady.

If unsure, do not do it.If unsure, do not do it.

If going into thick forest, go in a group.If going into thick forest, go in a group.

Composition ideasComposition ideas

Rule of thirdsRule of thirds

Compositional ideasCompositional ideas

Leading / Converging LinesLeading / Converging Lines

Composition ideasComposition ideas

SymmetrySymmetry

Composition ideasComposition ideas

Creating DepthCreating Depth

Composition ideasComposition ideas

Tones and B&WTones and B&W

Dynamic LightingDynamic Lighting

Camera sensors do not have the dynamic Camera sensors do not have the dynamic range to capture sunrise/sunset properlyrange to capture sunrise/sunset properly

Techniques:Techniques:

PhysicallyPhysically

GNDGND

Black card techniqueBlack card technique

DigitallyDigitally

HDR (single or multiple exposures)HDR (single or multiple exposures)

Blending (multiple exposures)Blending (multiple exposures)

Exposing to the rightExposing to the right

Exposing to the rightExposing to the right

A technique to maximize exposure without A technique to maximize exposure without blowing the highlights in a single exposure.blowing the highlights in a single exposure.

Why? Why?

More details are captured in midMore details are captured in mid--tones and highlights tones and highlights than in shadows.than in shadows.

It is better to push highlights down in PP, than It is better to push highlights down in PP, than boosting shadows up.boosting shadows up.

How?How?

Look at the histogram constantly. Look at the histogram constantly.

Attempt to expose so that the curve is as close to the Attempt to expose so that the curve is as close to the right edge as possible but not actually merging into right edge as possible but not actually merging into the right.the right.

In PP, pull parts of the image back down.In PP, pull parts of the image back down.

Location ideasLocation ideas

Marina Barrage sunriseMarina Barrage sunrise

Marina Barrage sunsetMarina Barrage sunset

Promontory @MarinaPromontory @Marina

EsplanadeEsplanade

Upper Upper SeletarSeletar reservoirreservoir

Lower Lower SeletarSeletar reservoirreservoir

Upper Pierce reservoirUpper Pierce reservoir

Lower Pierce reservoirLower Pierce reservoir

BedokBedok reserviorreservior sunrisesunrise

PunggolPunggol End beachEnd beach

SembawangSembawang beachbeach

ChangiChangi beach (CP6)beach (CP6)

Q & AQ & A