Sunset in South America

[carloshpvp]

Hi, this is my first post in the critique section. Landscapes is one of the subjects that I find mor interesting to shoot and I'm trying to imptove my shot with my compact superzoom Sony DSC-HX1. This picture was taken with the following settings: Aperture Priority Mode
ISO 125, F2.8, 1/1600, 0 EV, no flash. I would like to know all advices that could improve the results of the shot taken such as composition, light, etc.

DSC02498 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Doug Sundseth]

Your exposure works well and your depth of field is effective for the shot you took. White balance is believable (hard to tell if it is accurate, since sunsets can vary so much) and works well also.

I would frame the shot much tighter, though. The undifferentiated sky at the top of the frame and sea at the bottom of the frame aren't adding anything to your shot (IMO), so I would zoom in until the boat forms a much larger part of the composition, which would also increase the visual impact of the coast features.

If you have control over your position, I'd also consider moving a bit to the left, so that the boat isn't directly aligned with the peaks.

[carloshpvp]

Thanks Doug! I think these advises are very helpful for beginners. I'm trying to setup a schedule to go take pictures for practice once in the weekends and get the feedback from more experienced people.

[fugo]

Great shot. must have been a beautiful evening!

I like the composition as is, but I agree with Doug that shifting to the left would help the boat stand out against the background more.

I don't know the range of ISO available on that camera, but as the shutter speed was very fast you could use a lower setting if it has one - there isn't obvious noise but its always a good idea to use the lowest you can.

Apart from that, although i didn't see them straight away, I do find some of the black objects in the water a bit distracting and i would probably clone them out. Maybe up the saturation a tadge too!

[EOBeav]

Since you're using Flickr, post the picture directly into your post, rather than just the link. You'll get more looks/comments that way. When people open your thread and don't see a picture, they generally move on to the next one that does.

[carloshpvp]

fugo, thanks for your opinion. 125 is the lowest ISO setting available in the camera. I also share your thought about setting the ISO as low as possible.

I'll try to learn a little bit more on post processing techniques to help in cases like the small plants in the water.

Next time I'll try to take the pics at sunrise at the same neighborhood to see the difference!

EOBeav, thanks for the advice.