Today, while browsing through my older photos, I came across several folders containing images of sunsets I had photographed over the past few years. Unable to decide which single sunset to show, I chose the best shots from each location and decided to present them together in one post.
Without extending the introduction any further, I invite you to take a look at these photographs and the short stories behind their creation.
This was one of the first sunsets I ever photographed over a lake using a digital SLR. At the time, my main photographic gear was an APS-C camera — a Nikon D7100 with the 18–55 mm kit lens (the full-frame equivalent of 24–70 mm).
I parked my car near the lake and set off for a walk along a shared pedestrian and cycling path. Initially, the plan was to reach the spot where the path ends near a sandy beach (today, the path is much longer). However, along the way I stopped far too often to take photos, and I soon realized that I wouldn’t make it to the beach before sunset.
I decided to look for interesting compositions roughly halfway along the route — and now I know it was a very good decision. I found a spot that allowed me to create a satisfying, multi-layered composition. The finishing touch of the entire scene was a swan that had swum up to the shore moments earlier.
Soft clouds gently diffused the light of the setting sun, taking on warm, pleasing tones, while the surface of the lake shimmered in that light. I still like this photograph very much.
Photographed with a Nikon D7100 and a Nikkor 18–55 mm lens.
The goal of this mountain trip was one of the most popular peaks in the Silesian Beskids — Skrzyczne. However, I set off too late to reach the summit, so I stopped earlier, about two kilometers before my destination. It was absolutely worth it.
The sunset that day was exceptionally beautiful. For several minutes, I moved around with my camera mounted on a tripod, searching for suitable compositions. Eventually, I positioned myself among young trees and pointed the lens toward the setting sun.
That day, however, it wasn’t the sunset itself that turned out to be the most spectacular. When the sun had already disappeared below the horizon and I had packed up my gear, something happened that I had never experienced before. The entire horizon was suddenly filled with intense red and orange colors.
I didn’t alter the colors during post-processing — I only increased their saturation. Watching the scene unfold in real time, I had the feeling of being part of a "Lord of the Rings" moment, as if it were taking place somewhere in Mordor. Without hesitation, I pulled all my gear out again and immediately started photographing.
Photographed with a Nikon D7100 and a Nikkor 18–55 mm lens.
This time, a bit of a seascape. While on vacation in Tuscany, my wife and I decided to spend a full day relaxing by the Adriatic Sea. We stayed on the beach until sunset, which I obviously couldn’t miss.
Right at the beginning of our time on the beach, I noticed an old tree trunk partially submerged in the sea. I immediately knew it would become my foreground element once sunset arrived.
I didn’t have a tripod with me, yet I wanted to introduce a bit of motion blur to the water. So I set the longest possible exposure time that still allowed me to capture a sharp image without camera shake. It worked out quite well.
Photographed with a Nikon D500 and a Nikkor 18–55 mm lens.
Taking advantage of a day off, I decided to go on a mountain hike to one of the peaks of the Żywiec Beskids — Pilsko. This summit offers very wide panoramas, with views stretching across many different mountain ranges.
My main goal was to be there for sunset. Unfortunately, I don’t often have the opportunity or the time to be in the mountains at this time of day, which is why I truly appreciate every such chance.
That day, I spent quite a lot of time photographing various scenes. As sunset approached, I positioned myself so that I could place the sun directly within the frame. The sky was decorated with delicate clouds, and the light of the setting star beautifully illuminated low-growing blueberry bushes. I framed the shot in such a way that the sun lay diagonally opposite the bushes mentioned earlier.
At the time, I wasn’t using any filters, so the sun ended up slightly overexposed. I used a three-step bracketing sequence, but it turned out not to be enough. Despite these imperfections, I am still pleased with this photograph.
This image closes today’s series. Feel free to share your thoughts. See you soon!
Photographed with a Nikon D500 and a Nikkor 18–55 mm lens.
All photographs are my own work. The descriptions and texts were written by me, based on my personal reflections and acquired knowledge, and were subsequently edited and translated into English with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and read my post.
