Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What type of exposure can be used after sunset to capture the remaining light in the sky?

1. Longer exposures

2. Short exposures

3. Medium exposures

4. No exposures

The correct answer is: Longer exposures

Using longer exposures after sunset allows photographers to capture the diminishing light in the sky effectively. During this time, known as twilight or the blue hour, the light from the sun is no longer direct, but there is still enough ambient light to create stunning images. Longer exposure times will let the camera sensor gather that softer, diffused light, yielding richer colors and detail in the sky. This technique is particularly beneficial for landscape photography and night scenes, as it can help to introduce more luminous detail in both the foreground and the background. Longer exposures can also help to smooth out any movement in clouds, giving the image a more ethereal quality. In contrast, shorter exposures may not adequately capture the subtle hues and the dynamic range that longer exposures can achieve during this magical time of day.