Sunset @ NASA, Houston

[mukerjichinmoy]

Exif data
Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Exposure: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard

I'm a novice at PP and wanted to some comments on
- composition
- contrast
- levels

etc and anything else I could have done to make it look better. I've tried to play with the contrast, and RGB levels.

[Krusty79]

Wow, that's a spectacular sunset! Your shot does look a bit over saturated. I would suggest not placing the horizon in the middle of the shot. In this case, I would like to see less of the sky. Is that a building in the lower left part of the image? I don't know if it was possible, but I would recommend shooting from a different angle so that building is not in the shot, as it looks out of place and blocks part of the view. The only other suggestion I have and I don't know if it was possible, is to include some foreground interest in the shot to give it a sense of depth. Or, was there any road, creek or other leading line that you could have used to lead the viewer's eye into the shot? It's a really nice shot already and since I was not there, I'm just throwing out suggestions.

[EOBeav]

The rays coming out of those clouds are exceptional. This was a great time to take a photo. For sunsets and sunrises like this, I prefer to have something else in the shot that is readily identifiable. You have some trees there, so perhaps getting a little closer would have improved your composition.

[SwissJon]

Wow.. What a sunset.

Shame that building was there.. It would have been lovely if that building had somehow magically became a copse of trees. I like the right half of this photo much more than the left.. How long did you have for this photo?

I was told yesterday, and I have to agree, Sunsets are nice, but they need to be kinda like "supporting cast" to the main event.. You need some forground interest.. In this case, a tree would have been perfect as you could have seen through it to the sunset, especially if it provided some kind of framing..

That sunset IS stunning, it's just a shame that building is there. Ho hum, like me, you'll find a way to learn and the next sunset you take, you'll remember the comments here and go.. Oh yeah.. I need that foreground interest, a subject, and the next photo will be even more stunning.

[mukerjichinmoy]

@SwissJon: I had about 5 minutes since this was the end of the NASA tour and the pickup bus was on it's way. I did not have time and space for another angle or to go closer.

@EOBeav & Krusty79: Though I did not remember this tip to add something in the background to lead the viewer to the sunset, now that I look back, there was only a huge empty field, metal fence and that building between me and the sunset. So unfortunately I don't this I'd have been able to get anything in the foreground.

I'll remember the tips for the next sunset I see. Thank you everyone for the response and appreciation ! It makes me confident that I can shoot half-decent pictures compared to the lovely ones I see in the forums here.

[kristen6672]

amazing shot!!!

[mukerjichinmoy]

Thanks Kristen !

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by mukerjichinmoy

I'll remember the tips for the next sunset I see. Thank you everyone for the response and appreciation ! It makes me confident that I can shoot half-decent pictures compared to the lovely ones I see in the forums here.

Oh.. I think you can produce some excellent shots.. Just remember dynamite for the errent buildings that get in the way of your view!