Suset on the Mountainside

[ctcook]

I shot this just before sunset. I really like the way the light was falling on the mountains. My questions are:

1. Is the composition ok (too much on the bottom)?
2. Do you notice the power lines, should I attempt to remove them?
3. Of course, what do you think?

EXIF:
Model: NIKON D40
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: f/14
Focal Length: 55mm

[AlexGac]

Composition isn't bad, and I don't think that the mountain is too over bearing. The lack of clouds or other elements in the upper-right is a detraction. No, the power lines are not a problem, but a fully polished result wouldn't include them (of course, the other option with the power lines is to go back there and make a statement ABOUT the power lines-- but that's another picture for another day).

I think most of what's lacking is color. Rich, liquid color is a hallmark of sunset photos. You got the nice oranges and browns and a litte of the blue sky, but none of it is well saturated. It's a combination of the angle of the light (looks like it's coming towards you a little, which makes it very tough to get good saturation), and the lens. Some of that can be recovered in PP.

Here's an example of what I might have done in post (exaggerated just a little to make the point).


To me, your photo looked better than a snapshot but not quite profound.

Hope that helps and is what you were looking to hear!

[ctcook]

Yes, the light was at my 5 o'clock position. I will have to take a look at bringing the color out more. Thank you for your reply

[Doctor Atomo]

I really like both pictures, really only notice the powerlines in the second shot. What I was wondering, though was if you could have included an interesting forground item or maybe focused on an especially dramatic rock outcropping or something to add more variety to the shot?

[ctcook]

If I remember correctly there wasn't anything to include in the foreground other than an empty parking lot. I could have got a little closer with my 200mm lens, but I did not have my tripod with me and bumping up the iso would have made it too grainy. Perhaps I'll return to the location with my tripod and try to get closer.