Sunset in Outer Banks, NC

[prmsheriff]

Hi All,

This is a shot of a boardwalk in Duck, Outer Banks, North Carolina. I don't own a tripod and so had to take this placing the camera on a bench available in there to capture the boardwalk with the sunset in the background.

Here is the exif info
Sony A330, Taken in Landscape mode resulting in 1/3.5, 1/30s, ISO-320.

May be manual mode could have been much better, but I am not there yet and felt comfortable with the auto mode for this. But leaving that aside, please critique the picture for other aspects like composition.

What could have been done better if I went with manual mode or shutter priority or aperture priority?

[dandellion]

Auto mode served you pretty well. If you shot RAW, you can do a bit of exposure editing, though.

What I dislike here is the central composition. horizontally, barn is almost centered, which might be a trade-off if you wanted to have the bridge and the sky on the left in the image. But then, put it in the center, not near the center.

But, there's no reason to have the horizon in the middle of the image. And especially, there's no reason for that big black thing on the bottom. horizon on the lower third line would be much better and leave more space for the magnificent sky up there.

And make sure that horizon is perfectly horizontal.

[EOBeav]

If you're not quite ready for full manual mode, aperture priority is a good place to start. For shots like this, f/11 to f/16 work pretty well. There's a trade-off, though, and that is that you'll need a fairly high ISO to hand hold. So spend $25 on a Walmart tripod, put your ISO on 100, and let your camera take all the time it needs to get a beautiful sunset like this. Just think: You're a tripod away from having a shot that you can print and hang on your wall.

[navcom]

Manual versus Auto...I look at it a little differently. I prefer to say that new photographers aren't ready for AUTO mode. I've known enough folks who became addicted to doing things automatically and have a hard time using anything manual. And it really limits their photographic potential. Landscape photography is mainly a manual mode genre...manual exposure, manual focus, even manual white balance to an extent. But it's also a great genre to start out learning photography as well because it's relatively slow paced and you can take your time learning.

The problem with starting out using auto and then moving to manual modes is that you always feel you can revert back to auto when things don't go as planned...which is inevitable when you are new and learning...and then a fear of manual modes results. By starting out early in your photographic career using manual, you learn much quicker how your camera works and then you also learn more about when and where to use the auto modes as well...and when not to.

I'm not saying you should never use auto modes...just remember that as a newer photographer, you are learning, and you can't learn that much about your camera when it makes most of the decisions for you.

As for your composition, I would agree with dandellion...it's a pretty sky but the composition is not too compelling with the horizon and main subject centered. The dock is also centered vertically which makes it blend in and confuse the horizon line as well.

The horizon is a horizontal line, and lines are powerful compositional elements in an image. By centering it, you are drawing the most attention to it making it one of your subjects. And it also splits the image and compels the viewer to compare what's above to what's below. Without something such as symmetry or other compositional theme to support a centered horizon, it usually makes the image rather boring. The viewer is immediately drawn to the horizon and in this case the centered subject, looks at it, and then leaves the image as there is nothing to make the eyes wander around and hold their attention.

Hope that helps some!

[prmsheriff]

Hey Guys, Appreciate the comments.

@dandellion - Yes, I wanted to capture the sky on the left as well as the bridge. From the position I was in and in trying to avoid a log (see the other image here), I could not center it any better. But I agree with you on the black thing (It was grass) and the horizon being in the center.


@EOBeav - On your suggestion, I am looking out for one now.

@navcom - I have vowed not to use auto or preset modes for next 100 shots of mine! I think it will help me.
I am little confused with "The viewer is immediately drawn to the horizon and in this case the centered subject, looks at it, and then leaves the image as there is nothing to make the eyes wander around and hold their attention."
It was my understanding that there should be a subject in the picture that should hold the viewers attention to. Now that you say there is nothing else to hold the attention (since the subject is centered) - Am I missing something? Or is it right to say that your statement applies more specifically to landscape rather than portraits and others?

[navcom]

Originally Posted by prmsheriff

I am little confused with "The viewer is immediately drawn to the horizon and in this case the centered subject, looks at it, and then leaves the image as there is nothing to make the eyes wander around and hold their attention."
It was my understanding that there should be a subject in the picture that should hold the viewers attention to. Now that you say there is nothing else to hold the attention (since the subject is centered) - Am I missing something? Or is it right to say that your statement applies more specifically to landscape rather than portraits and others?

An image needs a main subject but that subject also needs to be presented in a way that not only draws in the viewer but keeps their attention. That's what separates a simple snapshot (or documentary shot) from an "artistic" shot.

A centered subject usually isn't enough to hold the viewers attention. The viewer recognizes the subject, then moves on. This isn't always the case as there are no fast and hard "rules of photography" that apply to every image and situation, but the rules do exist for a reason...they work in most situations and are a good base...especially for learning.

I'll give you an example...



The sunrise here is pretty and I can tell you it was spectacular when I was taking it. But it's really just a centered sun with a centered horizon...nothing we haven't all seen before. While the sun does capture your immediate attention, that's about all it does. Nothing else in the image to hold your attention by supporting the main subject.

Now here's the exact same sunrise but in an image composed differently...



Note how this uses what is referred to as the "rule of thirds". The sun is in the upper 1/3 of the image. The horizon is in the upper 1/3 of the image. Their pier is in the left 1/3 of the image. Also note how your eye is immediately drawn to the pier. From there, it wants to wander down the pier, along the horizon, and over to the sun, which then is shining down on the scene and your eye starts over again (holding your attention).

In your shot, the hut is really the main subject. Placing it strategically in the composition that used the lines from the dock as well as the sun (which is really a supporting subject) will make the image more compelling. You have good elements...they just need to be placed a little better.

Hope that helps!

[prmsheriff]

Navcom, The example does help a lot. Now I got your point much better. Thanks for taking time to explain.
Let me come up with much better shots and come back to you guys.

Sheriff

[navcom]

Love to see them! Like I said...the photo's got great bones. You are on your way! Good luck and don't forget to have some fun!