NJPAC Photo: A Winter Sunset

Follow Me On Twitter | Listen To Your Web Design Client Next Page: | Prior Page: Listen To Your Web Design Client! »

This NJPAC photo shows this iconic New Jersey attraction during a cold winter sunset. The light had been overcast and dull most of the day. However, the sun was able to peep through the clouds at sunset to create the beautiful mood seen in these photos. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center is one of the most attractive features of the Newark, New Jersey skyline.

To capture colorful photos like this is simply a matter of timing. The dramatic light is provided by our Creator, all I needed to do was to be there to capture it. These photos were shot using the top 5 night photography tips found in my Digital Photography guide. This natural light occurred in the first half-hour immediately after sunset. Good timing is the key to capturing these deep tones. Ten minutes before I captured these photos, the light was flat and bland. However, NJPAC came to life in a matter of minutes as the sun dropped below the horizon, and flooded the cloudy sky with a soft blue afterglow. This is some of the best light you will have all day for dramatic outdoor photos!

Here is an additional tip that is very important for users of digital cameras. Do not use the AUTO White Balance setting if you want to capture sunset colors. This will correct the light balance in the photo so that the light appears more neutral in color. Use the Daylight or Sunny White Balance setting when capturing sunset photos. This will insure that the photos capture the light of the scene as it really is, with a bit of emphasis given to the blue-magenta sunset tones. Also, use of a circular polarizer (lens filter) on your lens can intensify sunset colors.

This view of NJPAC will never be exactly the same again. Here are similar views of NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center) in different light conditions, giving a different mood to the photos. That is the beauty of natural light. It changes from season to season and day to day, depending on weather conditions. Return often to your favorite outdoor photo locations and record them in different light. The scene will never look exactly the same