Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Rawson
You can tell I'm a beginner because I'm asking mainly about technique, not artistry. I appreciate the length that both of you went to in explaining the problem and the solution.
Now for a picky question. The reason my area of the country does not have many remarkable sunsets is due to the fact that the terrain is very hilly (central New York) and it's overcast much of the time. The horizon in this shot is, in fact, not level and my camera recorded it accurately. Is it good photographic (artistic) technique to adjust the photo to make the horizon level, even if in "real life" the horizon is NOT level?
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Good question. Looking a little more at your photo I can tell you are right...the bottom edge of the lowered cumulus cloud should be level with the horizon and it is, so the hills are indeed slanting. The bottoms of cumulus clouds approximate the horizon as this is the "layer" at which the dew point meets the temperature at that altitude...thus we get clouds.
The horizon should be level. Adding your foreground subject/object for scale will also help define the true horizon against the slanting hills. This object (or objects, etc.), whatever it may be, will most likely help "set" the horizon.
As for your area not having good sunsets, I beg to differ! I've seen some fantastic sunsets in central and east-central NY. I used to have family that lived out there. I live in Minnesota and our area rivals Seattle for cloudiness.
But we get some fantastic sunsets at times too. In reality, just about every place has a low percentage of fantastically colorful sunsets. You just have to plan and be patient for them.
Sunsets and sunrises are my favorite subject-matter. It's a game of patience and planning but I love the challenge. And when I do manage to get one that really works, there is no other composition that rewards me as much!
Plus, there is something about being out at sunrise when everything is calm and peaceful. Wouldn't trade it for anything!