We all love a good sunset, don’t we?

But when it comes to photographing one – especially during those precious few minutes before the sun dips beyond the horizon – it can be a little tricky. For me, it’s like trying to walk a tightrope. In which case you need to be able to balance atop a tightrope before you can even seriously consider walking it.

So before I can even attempt to apply the principals of how to correctly take a sunset shot, I’m going to have to get used to being ready for those crucial moments. And I’m not envisaging that to be an overnight success.

But today, for once, I was actually ready with my camera – in the backyard. Be it somewhat unglamourously, as I wobbled atop a wood pile straining to get high enough so as to prevent having the fence line as the main subject. And because I couldn’t believe my chances of actually having my camera ready at that moment, I snapped away, as excited as a child in a lolly shop, completely forgetting every tip and piece of advice I’ve ever come across about photographing a sunset.

Which will probably explain the following picture.

But because photos like these are such a rare occurrence for me, I couldn’t help but share this one with you.

I hope you don’t mind.

So for the next time I happen to have my camera poised and ready for a sunset, I’d like to be armed with a few fresh ideas up my sleeve on what to do. So:

Do you have any secrets or tips on taking a great sunset shot? Please tell!