Sunset

[Laziferous]

Does the flash against the weeds make this photo unacceptable? I keep thinking that. What do you think?

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=698433&outx=600&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

[Zangarh]

The flash do indeed ruin a great shot.
I have tons of photos with the same "effect" ;)

I'd either crop 1/5 from the bottom or darken the weeds in ps.

Regards, Patrik

[TimNYC24]

It does ruin the pic.
Next time, try turning the flash off and using a longer exposure time. Tripod required.
I really like the sunset part, Laz. Awesome colors :)

[pappy]

Yes, the front lighting on the grass looks unnatural.

regards,
Peter

[GPR1]

I have to make it unanimous. The flash doesn't work for me.

[Leighow]

LAZ

Just lasso the flash area and backen it with curves. There is no information in these grass stems to retain anyway.

It is however, a magnificant sky. I have rarely -- if ever -- seen such extensive red in all my life here in Canada. But the Aussies keep popping up with similar skies.

But, a sky is just a sky. I think that the challenge is to give us a bit more foreground subject to tie this all together.

HOWIE

[marie]

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?UV=10268056451_31579034903&collid=13647802903&photoid=19179034903


its a most beautiful sky shot.
must have been lovely there to see it.


I thought someone else would suggest this.
but a simple crop maybe seemed to be the best answer ?

regards
marie

[eland]

Hi
If you want the image in its present shape, then the lit grass
is almost essential. It adds another dimension to your picture.

Otherwise 1/4 of your picture will be black.

The more conventional way to show sunset pictures is to
have only a thin black margin along the base.
Here it would be no more than half an inch top to bottom.

Next time you see a great sunset like this, try to get a wider view of it. Either a wider angle lens or try a panormamic shot.

My feeling is that I wanted to see more of the great sunset,
both to the left and the right.

regards
eland

[Laziferous]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I'll try to address everything here:

First off... this photo was an accident, the flash at least. I was on my lunch break at work, saw the beautiful sunset, and decided to take a picture.

I have a G2, and had it in Tv mode, to get the right exposure. I must've used the flash the last time I had the camera on, and forgot... so when I shot this one, the flash fired. Unfortunately... the battery died on me right after I took this one. So, that's the story of why I even had the flash on for this shot :)

I would have liked to get a wider shot... but I don't have any lens attachments. Anyway, this was taken right next to a major interstate, and there were wires, and poles, and gas stations... and you name it, to the left and right. I actually had to zoom in a little to avoid all of that.

Zangarh, and Marie, I think a simple crop was indeed the answer for this picture. Thank you :)

And Howie... I did manage to get one other shot, that I took before this one. I think it's much better. Oddly, the sky has been more brilliant each evening this week. Neither of these shots do it justice. Here's that one:

Too dark, in my opinion, but there's more more foreground... maybe a little too much...
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=698432&outx=600&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

[Arccos]

I think the flash did not spoil the picture. It's an interesting effect and I like it. But don't tell anyone that it's made with flash :).

[RedShoesGirl]

AT first I thought there was just a big dark blob in the foreground, but on closer inspection I see that there is a road! The shot would be so nice if we could really see the road.

lara

[gandini]

Photo #1. Apart from the flash revealed foreground, which has been dealt with very well by others, I'd say that what you are left with is pretty uninteresting. Just like thousands of other sunsets. Harsh, you say? Yes, but I have a suggestion, which is the thing that keeps me looking for great sunsets and making very few: you need something in the foreground, or on the horizon, to make the sunset interesing. A partiall lit building, a person lit by the reflection of the sunset, an ocean, etc. come to mind. A flat horizon just doesn't do it. Which brings me to:
Photo #2. Actually the road offers an interesting foreground for the sunset, framed by the trees. Lose the power pole and lines (can be done in PS) as they are totally distracting and detract from the image. I'd dodge the road and see if you can reveal some detail there. Or go back and photograph the road again at dusk with a better exposure, then combine the two images.

Thanks for posting,

[TimNYC24]

Laz, if the road had some PS fill fash, and you could remove the darn telephone pole and telephone lines, this would be a real winner. Nice shot!