4. Find an unobstructed view

You may think this tip falls under the “Duh, of course” category, but once you actually start setting up for the picture, you may be surprised at the obstructions you previously were unaware of.

It's all right to have objects in the lower foreground, especially if you are going to use these as they darken to offset the sunset colors.

Howevver, you don't want anything to distract from the sunset scene itself.

5. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to your chosen spot if you have to travel to it

If finding your unobstructed view means you will be traveling to a particular location, give yourself plenty of time to get there before sunset even starts.

Plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before sunset actually begins.

There are several reasons for this:

1. Unless you are in a remote area, if you found the spot, it's likely others have, also. So, you want to get there in plenty of time to get the best picture-taking spot, which is usually slightly off-center of where the sun is going down, but still situated to where you can see the most expanse of sky.
2. Getting there early will allow you to set up well before the sun has even reached the horizon. Sunset colors often start showing up once the sun touches the horizon, and you want to get shots of these as well as those that appear at the actual sunset time and even a few minutes after the sun has completely disappeared.
3. It will also allow you to take a few “test pictures”, especially if you have a digital camera. You can check to make sure there are no obstructions that you may have missed and if your settings are all right. Remember that they may appear slightly different in full light, so don't adjust them unless you notice some real problems with them.
4. You can also determine which lens will work best, as you will have time to take some “practice shots” with both the normal and wide-angle lenses. This way, if you have to change lenses, you'll have plenty of time to do so.
5. Getting there early will also allow you to observe the area around you for sources of artificial light. Some artificial light will be OK, but you don't want too much. Compensate for it if necessary by changing the angle of the shot.
6. It will also help you to determine if there are objects in the foreground that will appear darker as the sun sets. These often “play up” the sunset better, making for a more dramatic picture. If you do find such objects, you will have time to select those that will complement your shot the best. You will also get an idea of how they will look overall by putting them in your test shots.

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