Catching a Setting Sun: Kuta, Bali

I have a large collection of sunrise and sunset photos and really didn't need anymore. However, a few people I know who were new to Bali wanted to see their first sunset over Kuta when I was there last time.

Clear blue skies and not a cloud in sight are ideal conditions. This is what happened. By the time we had walked down to the beach on Jalan Pantai Kuta it was packed with domestic tourists doing exactly the same thing - waiting for the famous Kuta sunset.

I have always found the best time to go to the beach is a half hour before sunset. Once you have your position on the sand, take 2 or 3 photos every ten minutes. This will give you the quickly changing colours of a setting sun.

When the sun is almost on the horizon then take a couple of frames every minute until the sun disappears into the sea. This way you have a large spectrum and scope of colour.

And, just because everyone starts leaving the beach after the sun goes down it doesn't mean you have to join them!. On the contrary, stay put for the next half hour because this is when the most spectacular shades of purple and blue, orange and red intermingling can be photographed.

The great thing about digital cameras is that you could take 100 fotos of a setting sun if you wanted to because you can just as easily erase the ones you don't want or those that didn't have the perfect exposure. Happy snapping at sunset!.