More Sunsets - trying to get a good exposure

Digital Matt · Mar 26, 2004

Sunsets are tough to get, especially with digital, because of the broad dynamic range. Let me know what you think of these. I tried to underexpose the sky a bit for more saturated colors, but the foregrounds are fairly dark as a result. Everything looks much darker than it was to my eye, which will always be the case I'm sure, but I think this was a pretty fair trade.

What I really need is to get a graduated neutral density filter.

Thanks

manda · Mar 26, 2004

I really like these because they arent straight sunset shots. I prefer if there is something else in the shot with the sunset.
These do that well.
The 1st is my favourite...makes me want to go out and follow the sea and sun.

Thanks for sharing them Matt.

photobug · Mar 26, 2004

Both great shots, though I prefer the second because it's uncluttered. tommorow might be different, but today I like uncluttered. :wink:

Karalee · Mar 26, 2004

Hey great pics. I like them both. Number one for its sihlouette and number two for the um.... white streaks in the sky? What are those, i have no idea what they are but i like em alot

vonnagy · Mar 27, 2004

Matt, you've done a fine job with these, great composition on the first and I enjoy the swirly clouds pierced by vapour trails in the second one.

is the thin narrow band by the horizon part of a dock/jetty/penisula?

c0ntr0lz · Mar 27, 2004

that 2nd one spanks the monkies butt!!!
i'd like to have that one fullsize for a wallie
nice work

Digital Matt · Mar 27, 2004

Thanks everyone

Karalee: Those are jet vapour trails as Vonnagy said.

vonnagy said:
is the thin narrow band by the horizon part of a dock/jetty/penisula?

Yeah, it's actually a breakwall that extends out a ways there to minimize the waves and wake near the beach. No surfing on Lake Erie

I'll post a link to a wallpaper sized version for ya c0ntr0lz. What's your resolution?

Here's a link to a big enough one I think: http://www.anti-rejection.com/wallpaper/set_sun.jpg

andre_gwynt · Mar 27, 2004

Great shots. The first one is my favorite because of the womens adding to the silence of the picture.

andre_gwynt · Mar 27, 2004

Great shots. The first one is my favorite because of the women adding to the silence of the picture.

Lungfarmer · Mar 28, 2004

Wonderful shots! The woman in the first one makes that centered horizon line work, and such solitude. That 2nd one is just beautiful too but I can't stop seeing the Verizon "check mark" with those plane lines, hee hee.

Harpper · Mar 28, 2004

Wow, great pictures DMatt. Exposing for a sunset can definitely be tricky, but you did a great job with these. The darkness sets the mood. The first one has character but the second one has a really nice grand feel to it.