HOW tO CAPTURE AMAZING SUNSET PHOTOS AT WEDDINGS

February 9, 2023 Rohit Jhawar

Capturing beautiful and sublime sunsets is one of my favourite aspect of photographing weddings. My style has changed and evolved over the years, I also make great use of AI softwares to further enhance the images and create a cinematic effect to them however the basics of capturing the image is always been the same and below are my go to tips for creating beautiful sunset photos with gorgeous wedding couples.

Image By: Rohit Jhawar Photography

wedding sunset photo guide

Scout the Location:
Scout the location before the wedding day to identify the best spots to capture the sunset. Look for areas with unobstructed views of the horizon, such as an open field, panoramic beaches, or a hilltop.
Timing:
Check the sunset time for the wedding day, and plan to start capturing the photos at least 30 minutes before the actual sunset time to take advantage of the golden hour. The golden hour is the period of time just before the sunset when the sun's light is softer, creating a warm and golden glow. Tip: It’s most likely that the couples will be at the reception taking care of formal aspects of the wedding at this time so plan ahead and give them a heads up to spare 15 minutes and step outside to get some special sunset moments captured. Work out the spots and poses well in advance as you will have a window of 10-15 mins to capture this and its also likely that you would be sharing this time with videographers so be efficient and make the most of it
Use the Right Equipment:
Use a camera and lenses that can handle low-light situations and invest in a tripod to keep the camera steady. Consider using a wide-angle lens to capture more of the landscape.
Composition:
Compose the shot with the couple in the foreground and the sunset in the background. Use elements in the foreground, such as trees or flowers, to add depth and interest to the photo. Tip: Show directly into the sun and this could create beautiful flare effect. A lot of modern cameras offer the option of double exposures and panoramic mode, play with these as they can help create really unique imagery.
Use Manual Mode:
Shoot in manual mode to have complete control over the exposure settings. This is especially important when the lighting conditions change quickly during the sunset and this would also allow for more latitude while editing the photos later.
Experiment with Exposure:
Experiment with exposure settings, such as aperture and shutter speed, to capture the right balance between the couple and the sunset. If your camera has a HDR mode then play with that as this could allow for capturing both the sunset and the couple at an even exposure with more details to play with.
Timing is Key:
Be ready to capture the perfect moment when the sun is just touching the horizon, and the sky is filled with stunning colors. Play with underexposing the images and creating silhouettes of the couple for a moody and romantic feel. Tip: If are indoors you can still incorporate the sunset creatively by using windows and balconies, scout your surroundings beforehand and this will allow you to still create amazing images if the couples are busy and cannot leave the reception at that busy hour due to planned formalities.
Edit Carefully & creatively:
Edit the photos carefully to bring out the best of the colors and contrast while keeping the image looking natural. Tip: There are a variety of post production softwares such as Photoshot and Luminar AI that can help enhance the photographs in beautiful ways. The Luminar AI/Neo is one of my go to software as it can magically add effects such as sunrays, clouds, rainbows, a variety of backgrounds, grain, depth of field, sunsets and so much more with a few clicks and keep the image realistic.
Luminar Neo: https://skylum.com/luminar

Unique MELBOURNE spots for capturing sunsets

St Kilda Pier:
St Kilda Pier is a popular location to capture stunning sunset photos in Melbourne. The pier offers unobstructed views of the horizon, and the water creates a beautiful reflection of the sunset.
Brighton Beach:
Brighton Beach is a popular spot to capture sunset photos in Melbourne. The colorful bathing boxes along the beach make for a beautiful foreground in your photos.
Princess Pier:
Princess Pier is another popular location to capture beautiful sunset photos in Melbourne. The pier offers stunning views of the skyline, and the water creates a beautiful reflection of the sunset.
Flagstaff Gardens:
Flagstaff Gardens is a peaceful location to capture sunset photos in Melbourne. The park offers unobstructed views of the horizon, and the trees and greenery make for a beautiful foreground in your photos.
Albert Park Lake:
Albert Park Lake is a serene location to capture sunset photos in Melbourne. The lake offers stunning views of the skyline, and the water creates a beautiful reflection of the sunset.
Williamstown Beach:
Williamstown Beach is a popular location to capture sunset photos in Melbourne. The beach offers stunning views of the horizon, and the boats in the harbor make for a beautiful foreground in your photos.
Eureka Skydeck:
Eureka Skydeck is an observation deck that offers stunning views of the Melbourne skyline during sunset. It's a great location to capture panoramic shots of the city during sunset.

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ABOUT RJ PHOTOGRAPHY

RJ is a Melbourne based Wedding and Elopement Photographer who passionately documents love stories in the most intimate, fun and candid way. He enjoys being in nature and looking at things with wonder and new eyes each day. His photography is primarily driven by a deep sense of adventure, alchemy and being present. He aspires to capture the true essence of your intimate love story and to present it in a raw and candid manner.

wedding sunset photo guide

Scout the Location:

Timing:

Use the Right Equipment:

Composition:

Use Manual Mode:

Experiment with Exposure:

Timing is Key:

Edit Carefully & creatively:

Unique MELBOURNE spots for capturing sunsets

St Kilda Pier:

Brighton Beach:

Princess Pier:

Flagstaff Gardens:

Albert Park Lake:

Williamstown Beach:

Eureka Skydeck:

SCROLL BELOW TO GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS FIELD.

ABOUT RJ PHOTOGRAPHY

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