Sunset over Michigan Lake

[NikD300]

Hi All,

Its been a while I posted anything on this forum. I was fortunate to capture a great sunset over Lake MI during the July 4th long weekend. Share your thoughts on the picture. I would have loved the sail boat with the Orange Sun but by the time boat sailed into the scene, Sun was almost set. I did capture the sunset, however There are few more pics on my photo stream but due to the rules of the forum, only posting one here.



EXIF:
Nikon D300
F/5 @ 65mm (with 18-200mm lens)
Exposure Time: 0.01s (1/100th)
ISO: 200
No filters Used.


Would you shot this picture differently? What do you think of composition / brightness/contrast/colors? Appreciate your thoughts and curiously waiting.

[navcom]

I think exposure-wise it's a good shot. I probably would have shot it in landscape orientation. The cloud lines scream for it. Plus, a bit closer crop to eliminate just a bit of the sky. I know it's pretty and has those lines but it's competing with the boat and the sun. The landscape orientation will help with it.

Nice shot and good compositional elements!

[NikD300]

Originally Posted by navcom

I think exposure-wise it's a good shot. I probably would have shot it in landscape orientation. The cloud lines scream for it. Plus, a bit closer crop to eliminate just a bit of the sky. I know it's pretty and has those lines but it's competing with the boat and the sun. The landscape orientation will help with it.

Nice shot and good compositional elements!

Thanks for the comments navcom. As I said earlier in the post, I did shoot in the landscape orientation, however, couldn't capture exact same frame because of the location limitation. Here is the picture in the landscape orientation, with little less of the sky:



What do you think of this shot?

[Phillydog1958]

Great shot.

[milosh]

I was going to say the same thing that Navcom said about cropping it..
I think the second one in landscape orientation is far more effective. Nice photo!

[navcom]

I like the second one better too. Maybe even a bit tighter crop to get the sun out of the center of the frame. I cropped your image in Photoshop (see attached). It's my interpretation...more of a rule of thirds crop.

(If you want me to take down the image, just let me know and I'll delete it).

[NikD300]

Wow, thanks all for those encouraging comments. I am glad I was able to pull this off.

I shot few more in landscape orientation as the natural setting and scene scream for it. But, I was loosing most of the sky and the vibrant colors/drama was missing, so thought to shoot in Portrait mode. But, I guess, landscape version won

One thing I did not do is to frame the picture to meet rule of thirds as I thought there was so much beauty in the picture, I would loose if I chose to do the crop. But I appreciate you taking the pains and I don't mind leaving it in here.

But, apart from the crop, you don't think there is anything that needs to change in this picture right?

[buzzrk]

Beautiful.

Well exposed ans nice silhouettes.
.

[NikD300]

Originally Posted by buzzrk

Beautiful.

Well exposed ans nice silhouettes.
.

Thanks Buzzrk.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by NikD300

But, apart from the crop, you don't think there is anything that needs to change in this picture right?

I think it looks great otherwise. Very compelling subject(s) and good exposure.