Sunset shots

[elmerizm]

This is my 1st attempt on sunset shots. C & C's are mostly welcome.



EXIF:
Camera: NIKON D90
Exposure: 1/4000
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO: 250

Thank you for viewing.

[navcom]

Hi! Please read the critique forum rules...specifically, only one photo per thread, have a specific critique question, and post EXIF data.

If you just wish to share you photographs with the forum, feel free to post them in the "Landscape SYS" section which is set up for sharing your shots. The critique forum is specifically for having your photographs critiqued. Thanks!

[elmerizm]

My bad, I forgot that it was 1 photo per thread only. I really need some experts to comment on my photos for me to know grow and learn more in photography.

[navcom]

No problem! I think you're images are definitely on the right track. I'll see what I can critique for you.

Your composition isn't too bad. I think it might look better if you can use the rule of thirds a bit more but that's just an idea, not a definite. What is obvious is that it's a bit washed out. I think this might be improved by waiting a little bit more till the sun is just a bit lower in the sky. It would depend on the atmosphere.

One thing that helps with these situations is a graduated neutral density filter (search the forum for "grad ND" for more info). It's a square/rectangular filter that is half clear and half shaded with a transition zone in between. You position the shaded area over the sky and the transition zone at the horizon. This allows you to "push back" the bright sky so your dynamic range is more controllable. It might help reduce some of the washed out effect and get you a bit more color. You wouldn't need a very powerful one for this scene as the dark foreground works.

A couple other quick tips. Use a tripod if you didn't. Then keep your ISO as low as your camera will allow for image quality and use a smaller aperture (f/8-f/13 or so). This will also increase your sharpness. At f/3.5, your peninsula out there is a bit fuzzy due to the wide aperture opening. Smaller apertures increase your depth of field so more of your image is in focus. Since you have people that might be moving in your image, you might have to use f/6 or f/8 and leave your ISO at 250 or 400 to get the shutter speed fast enough to capture them. It's a tough trade but you do what you have to do to get the shot.

Overall, I think you did pretty good.

[elmerizm]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions, I really need these words as I want to enhance my skills and learn more from all the members here. I am really new in photography(about a month) and I am willing to learn more. Thanks again sir.

[navcom]

I would highly recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It is one of the definitive books on photography exposure and no photographer should be without it in my mind. You will walk away with a much better understanding of how to expose an image properly.

I would also study up on landscape photography for shots like you are taking. Exposures and techniques vary from genre to genre. What works for portraits doesn't work for landscapes, etc.

And finally, one of the most important studies...landscape composition. There are many books and videos out there on this subject. Many people spend all their time learning the mechanics of the camera and still wonder why their images just don't quite cut it. You can be a master at using your camera but if you don't know anything about how to properly compose an image, you are just a master of snapshots.

Good luck and remember to have fun!