I generally set the ISO at 100, f11- f18, and shoot on Aperture priority. A tripod is a must of course. Playing about with white balance can sometimes get you better colours.
Your 500D camera has a smaller sensor than a full-frame camera. The smaller sensor has the effect of "zooming in" to a scene more compared to the same lens used on a full-frame camera. So if one wanted to capture the same scene that you did with a 300mm lens on your crop-factor camera, they'd need to use a 476mm lens if they had a full-frame camera.
Easy
Try locking in a meter reading in the sky away from the sun.
http://www.digital-photography-schoo...es-and-sunsets
If you want detail in the foreground, fit camera with Graduated Neutral Density filter (that's a useful 'setting, not all settings need to be in camera).
Graham
Underexpose your image a half or full stop. It will show marvellous colors.
If you have cloudy WB settings, use it. And yes, meter on object lit in mid tone light.