What white balance settings should I use for sunset photos? I've a camera claiming 4000 (-4) but I kind of like it better closer to daylight.
I don't recall exactly where I read something approximating the following advise, but I try to follow it myself and I think it's pretty good (assuming a monitor that's not too uncalibrated):
There is no single setting that works for sunsets, since almost every sunset is different. Even within the same sunset as it progresses (
example).
You can pick a single white balance for images taken within a few minutes, unless the light changes too quickly.
First, adjust the white balance in wide steps (+/- 1000k, for instance, don't treat this as gospel), and try to figure out which setting is closest to delivering interesting colours. Then fine-tune. (I often have problems deciding which I like best, I might even make two versions of the same photograph.)
After adjusting the white balance, adjust the tint.
Then correct exposure, brightness, contrast, shadow/highlight compensation, etc. as needed. You may want to go back to the white balance shortly before finally converting from raw to do minor final adjustments.