first sunset

[paigew]

This was my first time shooting a sunset. C&C please. I have so far only cropped/straightened these. I would like tips on how to get the sky like #1 and the landscape like #2. Is this possible?

1

2

3

4

 

[JMBriggs]

Is there a marina over that hill? These don't seem to have a real subject... Even a sunset picture needs a subject besides the sun. Google image sunset and pick your favorite ones... Mine all had more then just the horizon and the setting sun... Even if there is just some interesting clouds it adds to the composition.

 

[timputtick]

you can get that effect through HDR, i quite like the silhouette although it looks a little out of focus and unclear. with number 3 i think you should position and interesting tree in the centre of the sun on the horizon and crop it.

 

[paigew]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm not sure what you mean about putting a tree in the center then cropping it out? Also, if 4 is blurry its probably because I was messing around with my ss so much, I think it was pretty low when I took this...maybe 1/100?

 

[cgipson1]

HDR as mentioned.. or a Graduated Neutral Density filter... that will help to properly expose the foreground, while not blowing out the sky so badly...

 

[Joel_W]

Sunsets are just that much tougher with no clouds. You need a much stronger foreground to give the photo a sense of subject other then the setting sun. As already mentioned, HDR is a great way to solve a multitude of exposure issues with sunsets.

When I shoot sunsets, I get there a hour or so early, pick my location, pre-set up my shots, and I'm ready to shoot when the sun/light action starts.

 

[paigew]

Thanks, I will try to do a hdr sometime in the future. I thought though that the tall pole things made a nice 'frame' for the sun. Guess not enough though. Thanks!