St Petersburg Sunset Skyline
26 worksFirst upload: Aug 2018Peak: 2025Last 12 months: 3
📝 Description
The images depict the St. Petersburg skyline during sunset. Photographers are drawn to this scene for the strong silhouettes created by backlighting and the contrast between historic domes and modern skyscrapers like Lakhta Center. The shots vary in perspective, ranging from close-ups of specific landmarks to wide panoramic views over the river. These photographs capture the visual juxtaposition of different architectural eras against a vibrant orange sky. The group is united by the recurring motif of the setting sun framing the city's distinct profile.
How to shoot it
📍 Where to shoot
Outdoor city shoot focusing on key landmarks: Lakhta Center, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and Gazprom Arena.
🕐 Time of day
Most shot between 20:00 and 23:00 (95% of frames)
Based on 19 frames with camera data. Camera clock time; the time zone is unknown.
Best time is evening hours (20:00–22:00) when the sun is low, creating contrast between silhouettes and a bright sky.
🗓️ Season
Most shot in: July, May, August
Based on 19 frames with camera data
Optimal months are April, May, July, and August, matching shooting statistics and ensuring sufficient daylight for sunset shots.
🎒 Gear
Use a telephoto lens with a focal length of 230–600 mm (median 400 mm) to compress perspective and highlight silhouettes. A tripod is not essential as most shots were taken at shutter speeds faster than 1/500 s.
Cameras and lenses the authors used (10)
Canon EOS R6 4Fujifilm X-T30 2Sony ILCE-7M4 2Sony ILCE-7RM3 1Sony ILCE-7R 1Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD (A035) 3Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 2XC50-230mm F4.5-6.7 OIS II 2FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS 2FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS 1
⚙️ Settings
Shutter 1/500 (1/4000 – 1.3 s)Aperture f/9 (f/7.1 – f/16)ISO 100 (100 – 160)Focal length 400 mm (230 – 512)
Based on 19 frames with camera data. Median and 10-90% range across the idea frames.
Key parameter is aperture f/9 (range f/7.1–f/16) for maximum sharpness of architectural details. Shutter speed varies from 1/3000 to 1.3 s; keep ISO at minimum (median 100).
📈 How the idea developed
works uploadedshare of all site uploads, per 100k
The date is when the file was uploaded to the site. The chart counts works assigned to the idea.
✅ How to repeat it
- Shoot in aperture priority mode to control the depth of field of silhouettes.
- Use a tele-zoom lens for framing from different distances without changing position.
✨ Interesting facts
- 🏆 How the best frame was shot: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Tamron SP AF 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (A022), 1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 100, 483 mm
- 🔇 100% of frames were shot at ISO 400 or lower: almost no noise, any modern camera will do
- 🥇 4 works reached the finals, 1 won. Best contest: Urban Dawns and Sunsets 2025
- 👤 Most frequent authors: Илья Юфа 7Anton Gavrilov 3Михаил Азаров 2Andrew Kuprin 2
🔗 Related ideas
Some tips are prepared by AI from the idea description, photos and their EXIF. Check the rules and access to places before you travel.
Works
These lists are generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies. Photos are shown in random order, and selections are refreshed twice a day. This section is made for exploring photos and does not claim 100% accuracy. The lists include photos that previously participated in contests that are already completed.
