A Sunset near an orange truck =]

[AnaM]

How can I improve on taking sunsets?

[Samanax]

Please read the Critique Forum Rules and edit your post accordingly. Thank you.

[LeeR]

Not sure what kind of forum rules you may have broken but I can make some suggestions for better sunsets.
1) You are responsible for everything in your image. No excuses. Ever! So either make things in the frame work for you or change your POV to eliminate them.
2) The sun is still a bit high here. 15-20 minutes later the sky would have been much more saturated with color. How do I know? Try this next time: hold your hand at arms length with your fingers bent. See how many fingers you can fit between the horizon and the sun. Each finger represents about 15 minutes before sunset. Looks to me like you had a bit more than 15 minutes which was plenty of time to find a location with a more interesting foreground.
3) Once you have the image you want your are going to need some software to perfect it. Photoshop is the industry standard but is quite expensive (worth every penny, though.) There are some free options including an opensource program called Gimpshop that you can download or an online program called Aviary that will allow you to manipulate your images online without down loading their program. Think of these as replacements without the chemicals and smells.
4) Post your work. There will always be someone who will be happy to make some suggestions.

[tinwhistle]

I agree with LeeR, waiting for just a bit would make a huge improvement. Also the horizon is crooked, that also can be corrected in Photoshop. However, it is always best to get it right to begin with.And I wonder, did you use your tripod?...Chris

[barrettfb]

If you live in the city, then taking pictures of sunsets/sunrises are going to be difficult. For good results, try to get to a wide open place (think field/park/lake) where the sky will be the predominant feature of your photograph.