Pro Sunset Photos on Just Your Phone

To shoot a pro sunset on your phone: tap the sky to lock exposure, drag down to keep the colours rich, shoot RAW, skip digital zoom, keep steady, and edit lightly. The camera you have beats the one you left at home — here’s how to get the most from it.

The technique

• Tap the sky, then drag down. Tap to set focus/exposure on the bright part of the sky, then slide the exposure down a touch so colours stay saturated instead of blown out.
• Turn on RAW / ProRAW if your phone has it — far more to work with when editing.
• Skip digital zoom. It just crops and softens. Walk closer or use the true optical lens.
• Try HDR off. Sometimes the “worse” exposure is the more dramatic photo.
• Steady it. Brace on a wall or use a mini tripod as the light drops.

Composition that works

• Add a foreground silhouette — a person, tree, or building for depth.
• Use the rule of thirds — put the horizon on the lower or upper third, not dead centre.
• Shoot wide and tight — a sweeping scene and a detail of the sun through something.

Edit lightly

Nudge warmth up, lift shadows, add a little vibrance, pull highlights down. Our free Lightroom tutorial works on the mobile app too.

Go deeper with how to photograph the perfect sunset and golden hour vs blue hour. More in Golden Hour.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take good sunset photos on my phone?

Tap the sky to set focus and exposure, drag down to darken it so colours stay rich, shoot in RAW if you can, avoid digital zoom, and keep the phone steady. Edit lightly afterwards.

Should I use HDR for sunset photos on a phone?

Often no — HDR can flatten the drama of a sunset. Try it both on and off; frequently the non-HDR shot has richer, moodier colour.