- 1). Set your camera shutter speed for between 20 and 30 seconds. This shutter speed is ideal for capturing the soft lighting circumstances of a natural sunrise. It will allow more light into the camera and help avoid underexposure. If your camera offers the option (most do), shoot in RAW format, which allows you a wider array of options when you process the photographs digitally later on.
- 2). Set your camera's ISO to 100. This is the shutter's sensitivity to light. With your longer shutter speed, you won't need high light sensitivity. Keeping your ISO at 100 will give you the dynamic range you need for capturing the intensity of the sunrise colors.
- 3). Set your camera on a tripod. Even the slightest shift as you snap a photograph can cause blur effects that will damage your photographs. Place a wide angle lens (24-70) on your camera to take in the spectacular view, then take your photographs. Shoot as often as you want, but consider a shot every 30 to 40 seconds to capture the subtle variations that will occur as the sun rises.
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