PLEASE critique - Overcast Sunset Rooftops.

[MattyB]

suburbs of melbourne, nothing interesting to photograph when it comes to land scapes and the likes. the sun rises when i an't see it, and sets where i can't see it, unless i'm on my mates balcony :P
first time shooting a sunset.
took well over 100 photos trying to get it looking like the pro's, didn't happen.. haha

please critique + mess around and post process if you want, i'd love to see how it COULD look.

IXUS 30
ISO 50
F/2.8
EXP 4 SEC.

http://www.alphalink.com.au/~bennell/Photos/sunset1.jpg

IXUS 30
ISO 50
F/2.8
EXP 1/80

http://www.alphalink.com.au/~bennell/Photos/sunset2.jpg

Please feel free to tell me how to do better with an IXUS 30.

p.s.: i don't know what F/2.8 means :P :o

[ChP]

F/2.8 is the aperture of the lens you were using. Aperture allows a photographer to control the amount of light that reaches the film or sensor. F numbers are fractions and based on the width of the lens, so F/22 would be smaller than F/2.8 Aperture allows for control over DOF (Depth of Field) as well.

There is no reason to be embarrased, after all you are trying to learn. I recommend you find a good article online about aperture and shutterspeed; and study how they relate to each other in creating an accurate exposure.

[MattyB]

theres no use learning about apertue, i can't put it to use, i have a point and shoot lol
f/2.8 is standard, everyshot it like that - i think?
it's not adjustable.

[ChP]

Oh, bummer. F/2.8 is a very large aperture to be standard on your camera. I would think the camera metering system is setting the aperture for you and you just don't have Aperture Priority.

If you decide to make photography a hobby I recommend you get a decent camera with Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and a Manual mode. The Canon Digital Rebel XT is a great camera, and you could get the older model, the Canon 300D, for cheaper.

[MattyB]

It's got Shutter Priority, and manual mode.
it goes upto 15 seconds for long shutter.
and the ISO goes from 50 to 400
and it's got a stack of manual options
but no aperture. :\
lol

[Hellashot]

#1 is hardly a sunset. #2 is crooked and I don't really like that clouds and sun combination.

[MattyB]

ouch, but thanks.

could you add some advice along with your insults so i can learn?

[RichardtheSane]

Did you have a filter on the front of the lens, or were you shooting though glass?

I ask as the vertical lines in number 1 are rather distracting.

I take it you use a tripod, but on both the horizon does not appear level. This is something yuo could correct in software afterwards and I would recommend you do so.

As for the compositions. I'll be honest number 2 does nothing for me. The reason for this is the image is dominated by a thin line of orange. If you could have done I would have considered zooming in a bit further on shots like that. The overcase sky is uninteresting and the rooftops are not lit enough - zoming may have brought more of the detail in the orange out...

Number one. I would have included less sky. Overcast skies are basically dull and the best thing you can do with them is include as little as possible. With this shot I would have composed more to the left and left the sky out.
Also look for the cause of those lines.

One more thing, with your camera you say you have shutter piority mode... stick the camera on a tripos and set the shutter to 15sec next time. This will force the aperture to stop down a little and then you may get a pleasing star from the flare on the brighter lights.

Here is my take on the image, just cropped to improve composition and the horizon levelled.

[edited to say don't worry about those who are quick to critisize but don't have the knowledge, guts or common courtesy to offer help for you to improve. Every forum has them :) ]

[MattyB]

my camera doesn't have lense's lol
it's a point and shoot :P
and my tripod wouldn't go level, i was so pissed off
i was trying to ages, but i'll be takign it back this week.

thanks