Nov 1
Productive day
I had made a lot of plans today but as it often happens, I didn’t do everything I had planned. Despite this it turned out to be a very productive day, I got squirrels and birds and landscapes and close-ups, all in glorious sunshine and then sunset and dusk. I even did some scouting for an idea I have, we’ll see if I can make anything out of it tomorrow.
So the squirrels are back, this is good news because so far I had only seen a glimpse of one so I was getting worried that they don’t like the new setup. I didn’t get any keepers from the new perch though but the winter is long so I’m bound to have a photo op some time in the next few months.
The crested tit also paid a short visit, unfortunately I didn’t have a camera at hand right then and by the time I was ready, the bird was gone. I hope it will stick around this year.
Since it’s been clear skies all day, the sunset wasn’t going to be anything special but it’s always worth trying for the starburst effect when the sun is disappearing below the horizon. But the colour gradient you get after the sun has set is even better – the colours really pop out when you underexpose a little bit, all you need is a good silhouette and then compose around it.
I am merely wondering if you took a series of shots at sunset? Could be nice to see how the light changes, although I suspect that you picked the best one here…
No series I’m afraid, I took a few pictures right when the sun was setting, and then walked to another place to photograph the afterglow… as I was walking, I could see that the colour was just getting better all the time. But you’re right, I posted what I thought was the best of the bunch and it was 52 mins past sunset, to be exact.
The colours can be nice already at sunset, but they get more intensive as the light starts fading. Your best bet is to be out between sunset and an hour after it, underexpose to your taste or bracket just to be on the safe side. Watch out for even the slightest of thin high cloud, it can really muddy up the colours.