When the Rule of Sun Coming to an End

Sunset is a very popular theme for photography. Where is the best place to shoot sunset in the place you live? If you live in Santorini of Greece (hope the rioting subsides soon), it should be Oia. I was given a memorable sunset trip there. The bus trip on a bumpy ridge access to the site was memorable in itself because a young European lady almost sat on my thigh throughout the trip on the crowded bus. When I reached the sunset site through an old-village-converted shopping alley, the hill was dotted with anxious watchers from the top to the base.

If you come to Hong Kong, take a boat ride to the Lautau Island for the best sunset (and sunrise too) lookout on the second highest mountain, the Lautau Peak (934m). Visitors tight on time should head to the West Kowloon Cultural District site, or the more easily accessible Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

(Sunset at the Gold Coast Beach, the New Territories, Hong Kong)

Sunset Rule

Okay, now we are at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. But where exactly?

Wait for a second, and stop searching for your map and camera. First, how do you expose for a sunset scene?

(The sun disappeared from the scene at this western side of Hong Kong)

As the rule of the sun is loosing up, the sunset rule of exposure takes hold; that is, in the film era. The sunset rule says: When you point the camera to a sunset scene, spot-meter the area right above the sun. But don’t include the sun! Of course, to make the scene darker (i.e. see more of the sunset colours), you can stop down by one stop (or EV -1).

In the digital era, photographers can simply try and err on the LCD display. But that’s not the way to do photography properly. When a result is achieved in a photo, it should be done by intention, not by chance. So, now that you know, next time meter the area right above the sun when exposing for a sunset scene.

Best Sunset Lookout

Okay, at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, there are two good locations to shot a sunset scene. First, it is the area to the right of the bus terminus near the flag posts. Second, it is the top floor of the Harbour City. The first location is very accessible. For the second location, don’t tell this to the world: go in the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel and take the lift to the sixth floor. Get out of the lift, walk through the hotel corridor towards the glass doors and there you are. Beware of cars!

(Shot at the top floor of the Ocean Terminal carpark)