Evening golden ripples

[Jill H]

I would really like your comments on these two photos which I took just after 6pm one evening along the Denham waterfront, Shark Bay, Western Australia - The light was gorgeous. I like both orientations - which one do you think is better and how could I have improved them? I am new to posting and having photos critique and I would really like to have some constructive comments. Thanks. Both of these are taken hand held - Canon Power Shot Pro 1. F4

[irishmuth]

i like the landscape orientation

[CaptainNH]

I prefer the landscape version too - it captures more of the transition from yellow near the sun to that gorgeous orange.

Composition wise - I can see that you've aimed to keep the full reflection of the mast in the photo, but, to me, there's more interest in the sky than in the water in the foreground.

You might try using the rule of thirds to put the horizon lower, revealing more of the interesting contrast between cloud & glowing sky.

[Jill H]

thanks for your comments - I appreciate them. I know the horizon was in the centre, but I didn't want to be told that I shouldn't have cut off the mast in the reflection. It really was an amazing setting sun - when I saw it from our holiday home window - I just grabbed my camera and ran out - leaving my husband to cook the dinner!