1st pic

[marieD]

Okay. This is my first pic with my digicam (G3) I know that the sun is over exposed and the horizon is too centered (rule of 1/3rds ..right?) and yes, I believe those are thumb prints (I have since cleaned the lens).

BUT I still want to know what else needs to be improved upon. Please let me know what you think.
If it is too horrible to go into, I will understand.. :)

http://www.pbase.com/image/24209109/medium

[martcol]

That's a really brave effort Marie. you're right about the sun being over exposed of course, but for me having that huge thing bang in the middle of the shot is a bit disturbing. The sky looks beautiful and might even have made a shot on its own.

You should have a look at other's sunset pics - shouldn't be too difficult to find and make your mind up about what makes some of them stand out. For me, the only thing that stood out in your shot was the sky and that's largely because of the slightly unatural blue and the cloud detail and texture.

I'm struggling with composure myself and am constantly frustrated at taking shots that come out looking like snaps whilst others seem to have that "eye."

I don't think the horizon is particularly badly placed but the water in the foreground lacks any detail. Even where you have caught the reflection of the sun it's so strong that it doesn't contribute too much. Maybe a boat or something on the water would have broken that up a bit or even some foliage.

So summing up, I like the sky! And to qualify my comments I know very little about photography. Post some more soon.

Martin

Oh! I forgot to say, maybe a few minutes early or later (sunset or sunrise?) might have made a huge difference.

[marieD]

martcol wrote:
That's a really brave effort Marie. you're right about the sun being over exposed of course, but for me having that huge thing bang in the middle of the shot is a bit disturbing. The sky looks beautiful and might even have made a shot on its own.

.


Thanks Martcol. I was so focused on the sky and the sunrise, that i really did'nt see anything else until i got home. I also did have a proplem with the "huge thing bang in the middle". :)

There is so much to learn, my head is spinning. But digitial gives you an eaiser means of learning, that's what got me into it.

So, i guess it is just practice, practice, practice. Too bad i dont live on the East Coast of USA, there are some beautifull areas just asking to be photgraphed. Not to say that there is none in the Bay Area, CA, it just you have to drive to them.... :(

[barnold999]

I have had this sunrise curse, beutiful sunrises go by when I dont have a camera. Finally I was blessed with taking photos during a few beautiful sunsets. (over the ocean too)

Sunsets are photos that everyone wants to take photos of because they are, well, beautiful. But, sunsets are one of the most dificult subjects to take photso of.

My main suggestion is take many photos from when the sun starts going down, till it is almost black. (for this photo a few minutes later should of looked great, once the sun really starts to make the clouds glow)

And, when you take photos always bracket, that means using the same shutter speed and only changing the f/stop (also using the same f/stop and changing the shutter speed) And just shoot TONS of photos (you are digital, you dont have much to waste)... personally on this photo you need to go down a stop or so... (you had an aperture of f/8 so f/11 or f/16 would of brought out the sky much more brillantly)

As it gets darker, use a tripod... at least something steady to rest on... You will get some of the most beautiful photos right as the sun goes right past the horizion.

If you wnt any other suggestions, please let me know.