View Full Version : settings for sunrise and sunset


Cees van Kempen
August 9th, 2010, 02:54 PM
I got lost in all the possible PP settings for my EX3 and just chose for the settings as recommended by the BBC. Filming outdoors I usually keep the whitebalance fixed at 5600K. However, when shooting sunrise or sunset I find the result somewhat 'dirty' yellowish, instead of the clear, warm, red colors I experienced with my previoues, much cheaper camera's. It is about impossible to play with the whitebalace to correct this, since there is no way to choose your own settig (is there?) other than adjusting with help of the auto balance. And that takes out all the beauty of the sunrise, since it tries to correct the red effect of the sun. Any recommendations?

Olof Ekbergh
August 9th, 2010, 03:17 PM
This is one time when a matte box really shines. I always bring the case with it, and my collection of 4x4 filters, but it often stays in the truck.

And a few Tiffen or similar graduated filters really shines. Even dull sunsets can become spectacular.

My favorite is the Tiffen Sunset filter. Moving it up and down in the matte box can really change the shot.

Of course this can be done in post these days, but it is really fun to play with in the field. And a good location monitor is great for checking shot and impressing the field producer, when applicable.

To use them either stay on 56K or balance before putting filter in. A lot of times I balance 30 minutes before sunset and then keep shooting with that setting.

As far as PP's go I have just settled on one I use most of the time, it is very similar to and based on the settings from the Vortex field guide, a must have for anyone using an EXcam in my opinion.

Robert Young
August 9th, 2010, 05:05 PM
I believe you can make a "Sunset" PP and enter any WB temp you desire.
I would expect a higher temp (e.g. 6400K) to restore the deep reds

Cees van Kempen
August 12th, 2010, 03:02 AM
Thanks Robert and Olof. Both answers are valuable. I did not realize that within a PP setting you can manually change the WB setting. That makes a big difference.