sunset near a lake

[snazeerhussain]

Hi,

This is my first shot of a sunset. I took this shot with Canon EOS 550D at 5.50PM. Would like critique on the following:
1. If I used the correct settings to take the shot?
2. Is the composition good?
3. How does the lighting and colors look?

Sun has a red line around it. Why does it come and how can this be removed?



The picture is attached. Shooting information is as below:
Camera Model:- Canon EOS 550D
Shooting Mode:- Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ):- 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ):- 2.8
Metering Mode:- Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation- 0
ISO Speed :- 100
Auto ISO Speed:- ON
Lens:- EF50mm f/1.8 II
Focal Length:- 50.0mm

[navcom]

Hi! I think your composition looks pretty good. It's not overly compelling but it has good elements and good color. It might be a bit underexposed but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am wondering why you used f/2.8. Such a wide aperture produces a pretty narrow depth of field. For landscapes, it's usually good to use a mid-range aperture...say around f/11 or so. It's not necessarily "wrong" as the image doesn't appear to need a tremendous DOF but most lenses are a bit sharper in the mid-range than they are wide open. Just another little thing you can do to maximize sharpness.

Hope that helps!

[mpf777]

I like how it looks, it has some nice clouds and colors. I would agree with navcom though and ask why f2.8? Like already suggested an aperture of f11 or f16 would get you a greater depth of field to be sure more elements are sharp.

[snazeerhussain]

Originally Posted by navcom

Hi! I think your composition looks pretty good. It's not overly compelling but it has good elements and good color. It might be a bit underexposed but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am wondering why you used f/2.8. Such a wide aperture produces a pretty narrow depth of field. For landscapes, it's usually good to use a mid-range aperture...say around f/11 or so. It's not necessarily "wrong" as the image doesn't appear to need a tremendous DOF but most lenses are a bit sharper in the mid-range than they are wide open. Just another little thing you can do to maximize sharpness.

Hope that helps!

Thanks navcom.

Regarding f/2.8, I was just experimenting with different apertures. I am new to photography.. bought my camera about 2 weeks ago. The difference between f/2.8 and higher f stops is not really evident to me when the focus is set at infinity so I just end up using smaller f number to get more flexibility on the shutter speeds.