MacKerricher State Park Grove and Sunset | Fort Bragg CA

Below: The sky was getting increasinly orange-yellow but the sun was still too bright so I tucked Old Sol behind a branch and zoomed in.

EOS 5D2 and EF 24-105 4L IS USM

Contrast is getting manageable as the sun descends lower into the horizon mist. Note the more defined disk and the cooler upper sky tone.

EOS 60D and EF-s 17-85 4.0-5.6 IS USM (Photo by Seil Frary)

Within a few minutes, the contrast level dropped and it was like shooting ducks in a barrel. Why? The atmosphere is more dense and misty near the horizon, resulting in a dimmer and more filtered sun as it descends. And that translates into a more evenly lit sky and less diddling of the exposure compensation dial.

EOS 5D2 and EF 24-105 4L IS USM