Cloudy Sunset in Durban

[Neville Bailey]

I took this picture this evening, about half-an-hour before sunset.

My objective was to capture the lighting in the clouds, rather than the setting sun itself. I would appreciate comments on my composition, exposure and white balance, and any other constructive critique.

I used a Pentax *ist DL camera, mounted on a tripod, with the following settings: f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO-200, 55mm focal length.

[ancillaDomini]

I love the shade of orange, but I would've cropped out the tree branch. Also, my husband pointed out that if you'd waited about ten minutes, the sun would have been lower and the shot would have had a nicer gradation of color.

[Neville Bailey]

Thank you for your comments.

I was in two minds about the branch while I was taking the shot - a part of me thought it would add a bit of balance to the picture, but another part of me felt it was distracting.

I was planning to stay until the sunset was complete, but the clouds suddenly got very thick and heavy on the horizon and the effect was gone.

[NgaiHill]

Nice shot Neville, the clouds look like they are on fire!
I agree with the other poster though, the branches are a bit distracting.

[CRoberts]

I agree with previous comments, the branch is very distracting, but nothing that cropping or content-aware fill on photoshop can't fix. I love the colour though

[ancillaDomini]

Neville,

I understand about debating with yourself about the branch. I have a photo taken shortly before a storm that has a bit of branch near the top. I thought it made it look appropriately menacing, but the replies I consistently got from family members about the photo were that the branch was distracting.

Bummer about the disappearing sunset. I guess waiting ten minutes would have been a bad idea. I have noticed that in photography books and the like that the author sometimes discusses their preliminary shots in case the light changed. They must be right!

Cheers,

Valerie

[dlitedrive]

I love the shot!

[Krusty79]

I'd recommend shooting RAW and bracketing your shots to maximize your flexibility in bringing out the colors of the clouds.

Another vote for cloning out the branches. I don't think they help frame the shot.