Sunset over the lake

[rugby414]

Hi All,

I took this photo the other night and have been debating if it would look better if it was cropped or if the space on the top and left looks ok. I was very limited for the composition, the couple just happened to sit down there so I couldn't move them and I wasn't able to move around very much because of other object that would be in the shot. Any other comments about the photo are always welcome!

Thanks!



EXIF:
Camera Nikon D80
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/9.0
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100

Have a look at this thread and then decide:
Silhouette attempt

My opinion, for what it's worth, this image would look even better cropped.
I'd take a good portion of the sky out, and some of the left hand side. Adhering to the rule of thirds, the sun in top left junction.

When I look at this image I see two dominating subjects, the couple, and the sun. The tree silhouette is more or less a secondary subject, or a visual condiment, if you will. Kind of like ketchup on a hamburger - you can live without it, but it makes it a little better. The light and water to the left of the sun is just extraneous.

Alas, just an opinion.

Well done.

[milosh]

Originally Posted by Bakeys

Have a look at this thread and then decide:
Silhouette attempt

My opinion, for what it's worth, this image would look even better cropped.
I'd take a good portion of the sky out, and some of the left hand side. Adhering to the rule of thirds, the sun in top left junction.

When I look at this image I see two dominating subjects, the couple, and the sun. The tree silhouette is more or less a secondary subject, or a visual condiment, if you will. Kind of like ketchup on a hamburger - you can live without it, but it makes it a little better. The light and water to the left of the sun is just extraneous.

Alas, just an opinion.

Well done.

I totally agree with what Bakeys said. I also thought of this crop (leaving the photo in the same aspect ratio while positioning the Sun in the upper left 1/3 intersection point). Although the Sun is brighter, I don't think it would pose a problem for the composition.

A beautiful and interesting image you have here!

[audiman90]

I think that you have got it just about right. Although if you have cropped anything from the left I would leave it in. The sun is the focal point and should have main stage in the centre. Nice clouds don't crop. Tree adds some framing leave well alone.
Excellent attempt.

[SwissJon]

Hmm.. Well I certainly wouldn't have asked the couple to move.. Except maybe ask them to kiss or something.. For me, the couple add to the composition in a way that, without them, the picture would be (for me) quite weak, but with them, they make the photograph interesting.. Kinda like sitting enjoying a sunset can be boring unless you have someone to share it with.. Here you're sharing the sunset with these two.

About the only thing I'd change compositionally is the half urn on the right.. Even if it pushes the sun slightly off the 1/3rd mark, you should either include it, if it's a pretty shape, or not, depending on how the crop looks on the tree.

You've got a little lens flare and blown out areas on the sun and reflection, but that's kinda impossible to avoid when shooting directly into the sun, you might try to wait another 1/2 an hour or so when the sun disappears over the horizon and you start to get different colours in the sky.

[Krusty79]

Beautiful shot. Ideally, I'd like to see the couple composed with the rule of thirds, as they feel squeezed into the corner for me, but I realize that composition may not have been possible.