William Patino on Predicting and Capturing Epic Sunset Light

Summary

Landscape photographer William Patino argues that capturing epic sunset light is a result of skill, not luck, developed over 15 years. He demonstrates how to read the sky, understand cloud behavior, and position oneself for optimal light, using Fiordland, New Zealand, as a case study. Patino details his shooting process, including using different lenses and varying compositions, and explains his editing workflow in Lightroom and Camera Raw, focusing on manual adjustments to preserve sky tones and add depth.

Key points

• Predicting sunset light involves reading satellite imagery and understanding cloud patterns.
• Dynamic shooting includes varying compositions and revisiting frames with fresh eyes.
• Editing focuses on manual adjustment brushes to protect sky highlights and enhance depth.
• Patino avoids automated sky selections to prevent halos and uneven darkening.