Concept & Theme -
The theme behind this shoot is ‘UNION’ In which I have decided to represent through capturing how colours naturally blend together in a sunset. I really want to focus on the soft, effortless transition between hues, kind of like how everything in nature just fits together perfectly. It’s a simple but powerful way to represent connection, peace, and harmony. To bring this to life, I’m planning to get shots that highlight colour merging creating images like reflections in water, silhouettes against the sky, and cloud textures. The final images should feel warm and calming, almost like you’re standing there watching the sky change in real time.
Location & Timing -
Picking the right location is key for this kind of shoot however I also want it to be natural so I will be planning a few specific locations while also just taking some photos depending on where I am at the time of the sunset. Preferably I would need a spot with a completely open view of the sky so nothing blocks the colours as they blend. Some ideas I have are a beach, a hilltop, an open field, or even a rooftop with a clear horizon. If I can find a spot with water (like a puddle or the ocean), that would be perfect since reflections would enhance the whole merging effect.
Timing is super important too. some of the times of day I will try to capture at will be the golden hour, This would have the best lighting. It starts about 30–40 minutes before sunset, so that’s when I want to start shooting. The real magic happens in the 30 minutes before and after the sun actually sets, because that’s when the colours shift the most. I’ll need to check the exact sunset time for my location and make sure I get there early enough to set up.
Shot List & Angles -
To really bring out the theme, I want to get a mix of different shots and angles:
Wide-angle shots to capture the full gradient of colours. These will show how the sky blends together as a whole.
Close-ups of clouds because they naturally mix colours in cool, unexpected ways.
Silhouettes of people, trees, or buildings to create contrast against the soft sky.
Reflection shots using water or glass to double the colours and make them even more striking.
Motion blur effects (if I can pull it off) to make the colours look like they’re literally melting into each other.
I’ll also keep an eye out for unexpected moments, maybe birds flying through the frame or waves catching the sunset just right.
Equipment & Camera Settings -
I want to keep my setup pretty simple but effective. I’ll be using a canon camera with a wide-angle lens (probably something like 16-35mm) for big, open shots and a 50mm or 85mm for closer, more artistic details.
A tripod is a must for sharper shots and longer exposures, especially as the light fades. I’ll also bring a remote shutter release (or just use a timer) to avoid camera shake.
Camera Settings I Plan to Use:
- Aperture: f/8 – f/11 for clear, sharp shots.
- Shutter Speed: 1/50s or slower to play around with motion blur.
- ISO: 100–400 to keep everything crisp and noise-free.
- White Balance: I’ll manually adjust this, but something around “Cloudy” or “Shade” usually gives that nice warm glow.
Props & Creative Extras -
I don’t want to overcomplicate things, but a few small props could make a difference. I might bring a prism or a piece of glass to play around with light reflections and refractions. A reflector could help bounce warm light onto a subject’s face if I do any portraits. If I really want to push the “merging colours” idea, smoke bombs in sunset shades could be fun, but only if they don’t feel forced.
Editing & Post-Production -
Editing is going to be super important in bringing out the natural beauty of the sunset without overdoing it. I want to enhance the colours while keeping everything looking real and dreamy.
I will do all my edits on both lightroom & photoshop.
Colour correction: Adjust hues so they blend as smoothly as they did in real life.
Exposure & contrast tweaks: Just enough to make the image pop without making it look artificial.
Selective sharpening & softening: I want the sky to feel soft while keeping key elements (like silhouettes) crisp.
Cleaning up distractions: Removing any random objects or weird lighting flares that take away from the scene.
I’ll be using Lightroom and Photoshop to fine-tune everything, making sure the final edits match the mood I envisioned.
Final Presentation -
Once I’ve sorted through and edited the best shots, I’ll put together a final selection that really tells the story of the sunset’s merging colors.
5–10 best shots that showcase the theme in the strongest way.
A timeline series of photos showing the sky’s transition over time.
Behind-the-scenes captures (if I remember to take them!) to document the process.
Before & after edits to show how small adjustments bring out the best in each shot.
For the complete final layout I will be making a photobook to complete the project using lightroom and Blurb to get the photobook printed.