Sunset at Tanjung Lesung - Indonesia

[woke]

I am a first timer at DPS, just post my first at Assignment.

I would like to here some comment/critique about my picture that I took while I was on a vacation at Tanjung Lesung. I used Canon PS A460, so there's not much I can do with the manual setting.

Make = Canon
Model = Canon PowerShot A460
Exposure Time = 1/80"
F Number = F2.8
ISO Speed Ratings = 80
Exif Version = Version 2.2
Date Time Original = 2008-05-01 18:07:14
Date Time Digitized = 2008-05-01 18:07:14
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 3
Shutter Speed Value = 6.31 TV
Aperture Value = 2.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F2.8
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 5.4mm
Maker Note = 2158 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time = 0.941"
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 717
Exif Image Height = 537
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 3153
Focal Plane X Resolution = 8247.423
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 8275.862
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Scene Capture Type = Normal

[woke]

I think I miss the rules here..

Which is better, leave it a silhouette or not?

If I want to make the photo not silhouette, how can I do that? Use flash?

Thanks for any suggestion

[navcom]

Hi Woke!

I think the silhouette works. On your composition, there is some confusing stuff happening in the silhouette (people, chairs, tables, light poles, etc.) that draws from the serenity of the sky and palm tree. It might have worked better to find a different angle where you can either eliminate the confusing elements or incorporate them better as the subject.

If you didn't want the silhouette, you will be dealing with high dynamic range issues. Dynamic range is the range between the brightest and darkest spots in your image. Your eye can see around 20 stops of light while your camera can only see about 9. This means that when there is a huge dynamic range (and your scene certainly has!), you will have to choose between a properly exposed foreground and blown out sky or a properly exposed sky and black foreground.

The best way is to use either a graduated neutral density filter and "push back" the intensity of the sky so you can better expose the foreground or use bracketing and take images at different exposures and then combine them in post-processing. With a point and shoot camera, your options are limited a bit but you can hand-hold an ND filter...although it's not easy. Bracketing is probably your easiest way (also known as the HDR technique...search the forum for tons of info).

Hope that helps!

[Eileen D]

Welcome to DPS, Woke! It's a great place to share your work and learn from some very helpful people!

I agreee with navcom that the extras in the silhouette are distracting. The sky is gorgeous and the palm tree fits with that mood as does the calm line of the silhouette on the right of the image. If the rest of the line was similar, the image would be quite effective.

[woke]

So it will be great if I make an angle that eliminate the people and the chair, so it would be only the palm tree and the skies? Interesting, I never thought that, and yes I agree..

This is really the place I was looking for, great sharing place and great critique too.. Like it!

So if I don't want the silhouette, better use HDR Processing rite? I got it, but never tried it before, HDR is making 3 picture (-2, 0, +2) and processed it into an HDR image rite? I really love to try it after I got my first DSLR Camera..

Thank you guys for the information!

[navcom]

The silhouette is nice. Nothing wrong with the effect, especially if you remove the more-confusing elements in the composition. I think it works for this image. HDR will work if you want more foreground detail.

Neither way is right or wrong...just depends on what you want to emphasize. Like the difference between a Ferrari and a truck. Both will get you to your destination but if you want to haul all your stuff, a truck is the better option. Likewise, if you want to get there fast, the Ferrari is better.

When beginning to compose an image, the first thing you do is ask yourself "what is the subject". Then compose the image so everything that is in the image supports the subject in some way. If it doesn't, try to eliminate that item from the image. You can do this by changing your shooting position, your angle, a different lens, different time of day, etc. If your main subject is the palm tree, the sky definitely supports it as does the silhouette effect. If your main subject is a particular item on one of those tables back there, you might need more foreground detail in which case HDR might be better.

Hope that helps!

[Krusty79]

Welcome to DPS. Wow! What a sunset! All you have to do is get rid of the distracting elements in the foreground and you have a kick-ass shot! I like the silhouette option here because I don't see anything interesting in the foreground that would lead the viewer's eye to the clouds (hard to tell because is is dark). Palm trees are always good for sunset silhouettes. I would try to keep the cluster of other leaves on the left out, as it just starts to look like a dark clump.

You have the right concept of HDR. I recently downloaded Photomatix, which most recommend for HDR. You can try it out for free, if you don't mind their watermarks on your shots.

[woke]

Thanks for the comment, really builds my knowledge of photography..

So next time I will choose my subject first.. Thanks all for giving this precious comments

[Michael_2010]

Beautiful sky and I love the lines of the Palm. Don't care for all the chaos in the lower left corner. It is almost like two opposing elements butting heads. The calm, beauty of nature and the discombobulated interference of man. Nice shot though.