Sea Sunset

[Laburno]

Hello everybody!
I am a total newbie and I am looking for some critques (of course )

I took this shot a couple days ago, it's a sea sunset landscape.

I tried to focus on the sky and I only lightened a little the foreground in post processing (the hill).
Someone said me that feels a little umbalanced in the composition (I think it is because it's breaking the rule of thirds) and that I should crop it a little more (maybe like this?).

What are your thoughts?
Thank you

Camera: Sony DSLR-A300
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[offwhitedog]

Hi, I like the light in the sky with the layers of clouds. But when I look at this shot, I find myself trying to look "around the corner" to the left. I'd suggest shifting the frame to the left and up a bit, to make best use of the light above and below the clouds. The foreground doesn't add anything to the shot, in my opinion.

However... let's suppose for a moment that you want to use the foreground in this (or a similar) composition... I think you either need to bring the colours out some more, or darken it down to a silhouette. Typical ways of shooting a landscape where the foreground is kinda dark are to use an ND grad filter on the sky, or do HDR on the shot.

[leviathan]

Hey there, and welcome to DPS! I think the sky in your image is stunning! Very impressive. The land in the bottom of the image is a little dark, but could easily be fixed with the shadow slider on a lot of pp programs. Great shot! Keep 'em coming.

[Laburno]

Ehi guys, first thing: thanks for the comments

Originally Posted by offwhitedog

Hi, I like the light in the sky with the layers of clouds. But when I look at this shot, I find myself trying to look "around the corner" to the left. I'd suggest shifting the frame to the left and up a bit, to make best use of the light above and below the clouds. The foreground doesn't add anything to the shot, in my opinion.

Understand. I took another photo similiar to your description, do you mean something like this?

Originally Posted by offwhitedog

However... let's suppose for a moment that you want to use the foreground in this (or a similar) composition... I think you either need to bring the colours out some more, or darken it down to a silhouette. Typical ways of shooting a landscape where the foreground is kinda dark are to use an ND grad filter on the sky, or do HDR on the shot.

Nice tips, I'll give a try, thanks.

Originally Posted by leviathan

Hey there, and welcome to DPS! I think the sky in your image is stunning! Very impressive. The land in the bottom of the image is a little dark, but could easily be fixed with the shadow slider on a lot of pp programs. Great shot! Keep 'em coming.

Thank you

[offwhitedog]

Originally Posted by Laburno

Understand. I took another photo similiar to your description, do you mean something like this?

Yeah that's pretty much what I meant - I like this one better

[LeeR]

Keep in mind the fact that the "rule of thirds", which is an important tool, did not make the descent from Mt. Sainai with Moses. Frankly, we would probably better off if we called it "the suggestion of thirds." Most of the time you should follow the rule, though there are times when it is wise to ignore it. This is one of those cases.
By breaking the rule and forcing the horizon line down below the 25% mark, you emphasize the drama that is happening in the sky. Furthermore, this saves you from trying to get detail in the shadows where there is so little light it is unlikely you will be able to find enough light. The second image is better, though I would not be so quick to change the aspect to a vertical composition.

[Laburno]

Originally Posted by LeeR

Keep in mind the fact that the "rule of thirds", which is an important tool, did not make the descent from Mt. Sainai with Moses. Frankly, we would probably better off if we called it "the suggestion of thirds." Most of the time you should follow the rule, though there are times when it is wise to ignore it. This is one of those cases.
By breaking the rule and forcing the horizon line down below the 25% mark, you emphasize the drama that is happening in the sky. Furthermore, this saves you from trying to get detail in the shadows where there is so little light it is unlikely you will be able to find enough light. The second image is better, though I would not be so quick to change the aspect to a vertical composition.

This is interesting because I'm always afraid of breaking rules since I'm still a beginner
Thanks.