Capturing sunrise at DVinfo.net

Bob Harotunian · May 31st, 2005, 09:53 AM

Just looking for some suggestions for a sunrise. I'll be out at twilight with a PD170 and would like to get a city skyline in twilight with the sun emerging in the background.

I'm thinking about a polarizer with maybe ND. Any ideas on shutter speed or if I should manual white balance or use the preset?
Thanks,
Bob

Mike Rehmus · May 31st, 2005, 10:05 AM

Whatever you chose, you only get one choice with the 170 as long as you run it in manual because of the step nature of all the manual adjustments.

I'd recommend running in auto white balance as the color temperature is going to be changing very rapidly. Besides nobody really knows whether it is color balanced at that stage or not.

I'd guess the polarizer isn't going to do much for you as they are most effective at 90 degrees to the sun's 'rays.' It will add some attenuation to the light though whether that will be enough or not is questionable.

Bob Harotunian · May 31st, 2005, 01:18 PM

I was hoping the polarizer would give me a deeper blue at the top 1/3 rather than a washed out look? Not sure.

Jeff Wilson · May 31st, 2005, 01:25 PM

I almost would suggest not using the auto white balance. With film, sunrises and sunsets can come out spectacular because the film is not made for that light, thus producing rich colors not really visible to the human eye. If you have a preset for 5,800K it might be worth considering. It all depends on how close to reality you want to stay.

I think the biggest problem is that there is a short period when everything is going to be just right, so stay awake.

Pete Wilie · June 1st, 2005, 05:01 PM

..... drumroll .....

and the answer is ....

Do a test to find out what you like.

The day before, try various white balances: preset daylight, tungsten, auto; manual WB.
Try the polarizer. It may work. I've shot a lot of sunsets with polarizers that looked great!
It certainly won't hurt.

In photography, still or motion, film or video, there's nothing like testing and experimenting to teach yourself what works for a given situation. So much of it is personal style/taste. Tape is cheap. Don't be afraid to try all kinds of "outrageous" ideas.

Good luck, and let us know the results.

Bob Harotunian · June 1st, 2005, 07:00 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. Now, if the weather will just cooperate.

Tom Hardwick · June 3rd, 2005, 09:25 AM

I'd also avoid auto white balance because it's trying its hardest to 'correct' for the colour of light it sees. To keep the deep reds of sunrise ands sunset put the camera on the 'daylight' w'bal setting.

Don't bother with a polariser as they'll only deepen a blue sky when used at 90 degrees to the sun, and you'll be filming at zero degrees. Rather than use extra NDs and polarisers, up the shutter speed to something like a 350th sec. When shooting the sun - or any very bright object - avoid using any filters whatsoever, as flare can be a major problem.

tom.

J. Stephen McDonald · June 13th, 2005, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Harotunian

Just looking for some suggestions for a sunrise. I'll be out at twilight with a PD170-------

Thanks,
Bob

This time of year in Massachusetts, I'd suggest waiting about 8 hrs. and 35 min.

Andzei Matsukevits · June 13th, 2005, 12:31 PM

I tried it once and learned that auto exposure and manual focus are nescessery(i dunno how to spell it)

May 31st, 2005, 09:53 AM	#1
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	Capturing sunrise Just looking for some suggestions for a sunrise. I'll be out at twilight with a PD170 and would like to get a city skyline in twilight with the sun emerging in the background. I'm thinking about a polarizer with maybe ND. Any ideas on shutter speed or if I should manual white balance or use the preset? Thanks, Bob

May 31st, 2005, 10:05 AM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Whatever you chose, you only get one choice with the 170 as long as you run it in manual because of the step nature of all the manual adjustments. I'd recommend running in auto white balance as the color temperature is going to be changing very rapidly. Besides nobody really knows whether it is color balanced at that stage or not. I'd guess the polarizer isn't going to do much for you as they are most effective at 90 degrees to the sun's 'rays.' It will add some attenuation to the light though whether that will be enough or not is questionable. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 1st, 2005, 05:01 PM	#5
Pete Wilie Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 331	Experiment ... ..... drumroll ..... and the answer is .... Do a test to find out what you like. The day before, try various white balances: preset daylight, tungsten, auto; manual WB. Try the polarizer. It may work. I've shot a lot of sunsets with polarizers that looked great! It certainly won't hurt. In photography, still or motion, film or video, there's nothing like testing and experimenting to teach yourself what works for a given situation. So much of it is personal style/taste. Tape is cheap. Don't be afraid to try all kinds of "outrageous" ideas. Good luck, and let us know the results.

May 31st, 2005, 01:18 PM	#3
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	I was hoping the polarizer would give me a deeper blue at the top 1/3 rather than a washed out look? Not sure.

May 31st, 2005, 01:25 PM	#4
Jeff Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Rome, Ohio Posts: 36	I almost would suggest not using the auto white balance. With film, sunrises and sunsets can come out spectacular because the film is not made for that light, thus producing rich colors not really visible to the human eye. If you have a preset for 5,800K it might be worth considering. It all depends on how close to reality you want to stay. I think the biggest problem is that there is a short period when everything is going to be just right, so stay awake.

June 1st, 2005, 07:00 PM	#6
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	Thanks for the tips guys. Now, if the weather will just cooperate.

June 3rd, 2005, 09:25 AM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I'd also avoid auto white balance because it's trying its hardest to 'correct' for the colour of light it sees. To keep the deep reds of sunrise ands sunset put the camera on the 'daylight' w'bal setting. Don't bother with a polariser as they'll only deepen a blue sky when used at 90 degrees to the sun, and you'll be filming at zero degrees. Rather than use extra NDs and polarisers, up the shutter speed to something like a 350th sec. When shooting the sun - or any very bright object - avoid using any filters whatsoever, as flare can be a major problem. tom.

June 13th, 2005, 12:31 PM	#9
Andzei Matsukevits Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 300	I tried it once and learned that auto exposure and manual focus are nescessery(i dunno how to spell it)