I live for moments like this...

[xxtriedandtrue]

First time poster here, an amateur photographer at best. I took this shot as we're driving back from Ohio... I believe at this point in time we were driving through Illinois. I only had my point and shoot at the time and this is the finished product. I haven't altered anything in the picture, other than using the Auto-Correct function. It's not a bad shot, but not that great either. Could I have done anything else to make this picture stand out?

[NetG]

I often take a photo, rotate my camera 90 degrees and snap another. It looks to me like a landscape layout may work better, since most of the interest is in the color along the horizon. It's a pretty view, and you catch the rays of light coming through the clouds. My favorite part of a sunset, and it made me smile.

[xxtriedandtrue]

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately before I got this shot, I did have my camera on a landscape layout but it didn't turn out as good as this one. It all came out a blur and the rays hadn't come through the clouds yet. Thanks again!

[windrider86]

Could you post your exif information for us please and thank you!

[photog45]

Originally Posted by xxtriedandtrue

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately before I got this shot, I did have my camera on a landscape layout but it didn't turn out as good as this one. It all came out a blur and the rays hadn't come through the clouds yet. Thanks again!

The only thing that I can think of that might be of some help is something a photographer friend said to me...... Patience and lots of shots. That's the beauty of digital, to get that one great shot you might have to take 100 but you don't have to print the 100 just the one. If you use photoshop (or any other program) a bit of cropping could enhance this shot by moving the focal point (the sun) down and to the left a little. Overall, I really like this shot as is.

[xxtriedandtrue]

Originally Posted by windrider86

Could you post your exif information for us please and thank you!

I'm super new at this forum so bare with me... but what is an EXIF information? I'll gladly post it once I find out what it is. Thank you.

[windrider86]

No problem! Your exif information is stored information embedded within your image. It tells you what settings your camera was on at the time that you took the picture.
Knowing this information can play a very important role in critiqueing your image. We could possibly suggest alternate settings for you to use.
Now, on to how to find your exif information. Many times you can right click on the image on your pc and look under properties. I dont know what software you are using but the info can usually also be found under image information. Or on web sites such as Flickr, its stored to the right of your image under more properties.
Is should something like this: Camera: Olympus E-520
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 49 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire


If you need help dont hesitate to holler!

[nathanbarlow]

nitpicking - your horizon isnt straight (minor). Easily fixed in Photoshop with grid view or guide view to judge horizontalness.

Cheers

[xxtriedandtrue]

Originally Posted by windrider86

No problem! Your exif information is stored information embedded within your image. It tells you what settings your camera was on at the time that you took the picture.
Knowing this information can play a very important role in critiqueing your image. We could possibly suggest alternate settings for you to use.
Now, on to how to find your exif information. Many times you can right click on the image on your pc and look under properties. I dont know what software you are using but the info can usually also be found under image information. Or on web sites such as Flickr, its stored to the right of your image under more properties.
Is should something like this: Camera: Olympus E-520
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 49 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire


If you need help dont hesitate to holler!

Sorry for the delay, but here is the information about the picture. Thanks again for all the help everyone!

Camera: Panasonic DMC-FX07
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 16.8 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[xxtriedandtrue]

Originally Posted by nathanbarlow

nitpicking - your horizon isnt straight (minor). Easily fixed in Photoshop with grid view or guide view to judge horizontalness.

Cheers

thanks for the input, Nathan! i'll have to check out Photoshop to fix this.