California Pier Sunset Picture Tips offer you just a few more ideas and suggestions to make your pictures work for you...and do what you want them to. In the picture above, the photographer is clearly seeking a result. It appears he's taking a pier sunset photo for a Christmas card.

You've heard the saying, "Who's your daddy?" Well we are going to pose the question, "Who's your picture for?"

Some things are obvious and others aren't. You go down to a California beach and plan to watch a sunset, and maybe take some pictures. Maybe you get lucky...maybe your images are crap (pardon the French.) We want to let you know that you can gain a little control over your images and when that happens, you save time, gain additional enjoyment, and sometimes accomplish more than you had ever imagined was possible.

First Question:  Why are you taking that photo? Is it for the heck of it, is it to show-off, is it to remember a trip, or frame on a wall or put on a Christmas card, even?

Once you get to the beach and ask yourself, "Why am I taking this picture," you've taken the first step in controlling your image output.  Based on the answer, you can just have fun and see what happens, or you can set a goal, working toward a specific result.

We don't have the answers, here at beachcalifornia.com. We sometimes make it up as we go. But one thing the site owner knows is that she better get some good stuff or she's wasted a $1000 on a trip. If you book a flight and go on a trip to a California beach, it's easy to get there and see rain, and feel like you need to go back again.  Our goal on our site is to offer something that makes a statement about a place, usually showing it in a positive light.

Most people we see taking photos of piers at sunset are somewhat serious. We see tripods (good to have), and willingness to hang around for about 30 minutes to two hours at a time.

But let's assume you just want to get something good without all the fuss. You can do it.  Just think through it.

What is the shape of the pier?

Where is the sun setting?

Wrap your mind and camera around the physical elements and structures. Wander around and see how they interplay with each other--the pier and the sun.  Take many, many test shots.  Look at them on digital and see what's coming out.

If you answered the question, "Who is this picture for?", then let that be your guide for proceeding.  Most people just want good tourist shots with their family or friends.  Don't shoot directly with the sun behind you at a low level if this is true. If you or something isn't blocking that sun, it's going to blow out all the other elements with way too much light. Many small point & shoot cameras don't have a flash to compensate, and even if they do, the average meter will skew your desired results.  If you can set your subjects slightly away from that setting sun, rather than directly in front of it, that might be better.

Then there's that pier to deal with. Is it sticking out your subjects' heads like rabbit ears? Does it make them appear impaled?  Watch for that.  It's a lot to deal with, but if you start with just a few ideas and tips, it may make a big difference in the results. One of our recommendations for pier picture taking at sunset is to try a photo with the sun above the pier. If you have a zoom lens or telephoto, by all means use it. Try a vertical shot for a change. It is a great exercise in composition.