Arizona Sunset

[flytyer57]

I took this picture in 1993 with a film camera while literally driving north on I-17 north of Phoenix. I scanned it so I could post it here. All I have done is cropped the lower 1/3 of the picture due to it being all in shadow. I do not have any EXIF data since the picture is old and scanned.

What I am looking for is comments on composition and overall an approval rating of this photo, let's say on a scale of 1-10? In other words, what do you think of it?

[milosh]

I would like to comment on composition but there's really not much to comment on. Your photo lacks a subject, the whole lower part is heavily in shade (leaving us guessing what was down there), and a part of the sky is blown out. I would probably rate it as 3 or 4. Sorry, don't want to sound brutal, just being honest!

[flytyer57]

Originally Posted by milosh

I would like to comment on composition but there's really not much to comment on. Your photo lacks a subject, the whole lower part is heavily in shade (leaving us guessing what was down there), and a part of the sky is blown out. I would probably rate it as 3 or 4. Sorry, don't want to sound brutal, just being honest!

No problem. I kinda like this photo but I do have my reservations about it. I was just trying to get some feedback from others.

Years ago (1970's) when I used to draw pictures, I liked to draw sketches of the desert and mountains of Arizona. This pic kinda reminds me of some of my drawings with the mountains in silouhette and the clouds in the sky. If I only could find those pictures I drew back then, or learn to draw again...

[milosh]

Does one forget how to draw? I always thought that's like one of the things you never forget, or never loose if you're born with the talent.

[flytyer57]

It's been at least 30 years since I picked up a sketch pad and pencil. I really don't think I can do it anymore. I keep thinking about doing it someday, but that day hasn't arrived for me as of yet.

[milosh]

You should do it, I think it'll make you feel good.

[fenris117]

I really liked the thumbnail, though I have to say that I was a little disappointed when I enlarged it. It seems a bit blurry, kind of like you look a crop of a crop and enlarged it, and there's some nasty aberrations on the left side. The colors on the other hand, are great, and I prefer the intense contrast. I would love to see this on canvas! I'm sure your hands have not forgotten.

[flytyer57]

Originally Posted by fenris117

I really liked the thumbnail, though I have to say that I was a little disappointed when I enlarged it. It seems a bit blurry, kind of like you look a crop of a crop and enlarged it, and there's some nasty aberrations on the left side. The colors on the other hand, are great, and I prefer the intense contrast. I would love to see this on canvas! I'm sure your hands have not forgotten.

Like I mentioned in the original post, I took this photo while driving. I seen this happening and just reached for the camera and snapped a pic out the window while going by. That is most likely the cause of the blur.

As for the aberrations, I'm not sure what you are referring to. Please explain.

I don't paint so you wont see this on canvas. I could probably do a sketch on paper if I had the materials though.

[fenris117]

The aberrations I referred to is the bright reddish line at the ridge of the mountains on the left side. Usually there isn't much you can do about it other than post-processing.

Then, I look forward to the sketch! haha

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by milosh

I would like to comment on composition but there's really not much to comment on. Your photo lacks a subject, the whole lower part is heavily in shade (leaving us guessing what was down there), and a part of the sky is blown out. I would probably rate it as 3 or 4. Sorry, don't want to sound brutal, just being honest!

I have to agree. The easiest landscape shots to take are ones like these where all you are doing is exposing for the sky. You didn't have to look for a good silhouette subject or try to make the image 3 dimensional by including some foreground interest. Even so, part of the sky is semi blown-out. Of course, you're never going to get the ideal shot from a car.