How to Photograph the Perfect Sunset: 8 Settings That Actually Work

To photograph a great sunset, use a low ISO (100–200), an aperture of f/8–f/11, a Cloudy or Shade white balance to keep the warm tones, and expose for the sky rather than the foreground — then keep shooting through the 20 minutes after the sun sets, when the colours are often best. That’s the short version. Below are the eight settings and habits that turn a flat, washed-out sunset into a glowing, sharp keeper — on a camera or a phone.

The 8 settings that make a sunset sing

1. Shoot in RAW. RAW keeps far more colour and shadow detail, so you can rescue a sky that looked blown-out. Most cameras and recent phones support it.
2. Keep ISO low (100–200). Low ISO means clean, noise-free files. There’s plenty of light at golden hour, so you rarely need more.
3. Aperture f/8–f/11. This is the sharpness sweet spot for most lenses and keeps both foreground and sky in focus.
4. Expose for the sky. Meter off the bright part of the sky (not the sun itself). A darker, richer sky beats a washed-out one — you can lift the foreground later.
5. White balance: Cloudy or Shade. Auto white balance often “corrects” the warmth away. Cloudy/Shade keeps the golds and oranges you actually saw.
6. Use a low, interesting foreground. A silhouette — a person, a tree, a rock — gives the scene depth and scale. Get low to exaggerate it.
7. Steady the shot. As light drops, shutter speeds slow. A small tripod (or bracing on a wall) keeps things sharp. See travel tripods →
8. Bracket your exposures. Take one at the metered exposure, one darker, one brighter. You’ll almost always prefer one you didn’t expect.

Golden hour vs blue hour — know the difference

• Golden hour — the ~30 minutes before sunset, when light is warm and directional. Best for silhouettes and warm portraits.
• Blue hour — the ~20–30 minutes after the sun dips below the horizon, when the sky turns deep blue and pink. Often the richest colours of the day — so don’t pack up when the sun’s gone.

How to shoot a great sunset on your phone

No camera? Your phone is more than enough:

• Tap the sky to set focus and exposure, then drag down to darken slightly so colours stay saturated.
• Turn on RAW / ProRAW if available, and edit later for the best results.
• Skip digital zoom — it just crops and softens. Move your feet instead.
• Lock it steady — lean on something or use a mini tripod for the low-light moments.
• Turn off HDR if it’s flattening the drama; sometimes the “worse” exposure is the better photo.

Edit for the glow (don’t overdo it)

A light edit finishes the job: nudge warmth up a touch, lift shadows slightly, add a little contrast and vibrance, and pull highlights down to recover the sun. Our TripDusk presets do this in one tap.

Put it into practice

The best sunset photo is mostly about being there, ready. Scout your spot early, get low, expose for the sky, and keep shooting past the sunset into blue hour. For where to point the camera next, see the best sunset spots in the world — and if you’re heading abroad to shoot, sort your connectivity first.

Frequently asked questions

What camera settings are best for sunset photos?

Start with a low ISO (100–200), aperture around f/8–f/11 for sharpness, and adjust shutter speed for exposure. Set white balance to Cloudy or Shade to keep the warm tones, and expose for the sky, not the foreground.

How do I take a good sunset photo on my phone?

Tap the sky to set focus and exposure, then drag down to darken it slightly so colours stay rich. Shoot in RAW if your phone allows, keep the phone steady, and avoid digital zoom.

What time should I arrive to photograph a sunset?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to scout your composition, and stay 20–30 minutes after — the 'blue hour' just after the sun sets often gives the richest colours of all.