Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

For what color temperature range are clear skies during sunset typically measured?

1. 5,000-6,500 K

2. 3,000-4,000 K

3. 2,500-3,500 K

4. 1,000-2,000 K

The correct answer is: 3,000-4,000 K

Clear skies during sunset often exhibit warmer tones due to the angle of the sun and atmospheric scattering. As the sun approaches the horizon, its light passes through more atmosphere, which scatters shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) and allows longer wavelengths (reds, oranges) to dominate. This results in a color temperature typically measured around 3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin. This range corresponds to the warm, golden hues of sunset skies, which photographers often aim to capture, giving a soft and inviting quality to images. Understanding this color temperature can help photographers adjust their white balance settings appropriately to ensure that the colors are accurately represented in their photographs.