Thoughts on my sunsets

I took these the other night. The pictures don't capture how incredible this sunset was; it started as a little pink ball and grew to fill the whole sky like waves of fire, and then went back to nothing in about twenty minutes. I was impressed the first time I looked at them on my computer, the colors were this vivid, I didn't have to pump the saturation to get them like this. Ideally I'd like to put one of these on my wall, but I'd like the thoughts of the community first. I just wish I had a wider lens; my 18-55 wasn't wide enough for most of these shots. The rest of the set is here, feel free to check them out and let me know if you like something better that I didn't pick below.

1.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/61875474@N06/6​591276383/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/61875474@N06/6​591282353/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/61875474@N06/6​591284573/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/61875474@N06/6​591285861/

There is a lot of subjectivity to picking sunset stages. I like 2523, but also like 2515.

One thing I would definitely do is to clone out the distant posts near the horizon on the left side.

I don't get a sunset feel with these shots. I get a sunrise sorta feel with the blues and pinks. Not enough orange. With some work,I think these shot can be a lot better though. Cloning out some things in the water is a very good start.

In the first two, how do you feel about the larger post that is at an angle? I will go ahead and remove the smaller posts.

A sunset typically needs something in the foreground of interest, but you don't always have total choice in these matters. The sandbar helps, but isn't quite enough. Personally, I would keep the angled post out there in the water just to break things up a bit.

You have lots of wonderful color going on....but everything seems to be smack dab in the center of the photo....having the focal point more creatively located would definitely spark these up. Taking one step to your right in #3 would have been a big plus.

Jon C wrote in post #13619840
A sunset typically needs something in the foreground of interest, but you don't always have total choice in these matters. The sandbar helps, but isn't quite enough. Personally, I would keep the angled post out there in the water just to break things up a bit.

I didn't have much choice, and I was about to pack up when it started. How would some beach/swamp grass look as a foreground object? That's really all that's there, and I'll be sure to try it next time.

Woolburr wrote in post #13619924
You have lots of wonderful color going on....but everything seems to be smack dab in the center of the photo....having the focal point more creatively located would definitely spark these up. Taking one step to your right in #3 would have been a big plus.

In #3 you would like to see more of the branch that's hanging in the shot? I'll defintely do that next time I'm out there. When I have something like this, a few sparse trees and a swampy beach, do you have anything more specific that I could do to put my focal point into a more creative location? I know I'm asking a lot of you since you haven't seen the area. Thanks for your thoughts.

With sunsets...you typically have a few minutes to experiment. Try different framing in the viewfinder. With everything smack dab in the center of the frame, it almost looks like you couldn't be bothered to put any effort into the shot. Like all photography, sunsets are very subjective....some people like something in the foreground.....some like something in the mid-section, some like nothing but the sky or maybe just a sliver of horizon....some people have never seen a spectacular sunset....so they think the colors have to be "fake" or otherwise enhanced.

Keep shooting....experiment​....you never know what might catch people's eye.

Woolburr wrote in post #13622239
With sunsets...you typically have a few minutes to experiment. Try different framing in the viewfinder. With everything smack dab in the center of the frame, it almost looks like you couldn't be bothered to put any effort into the shot. Like all photography, sunsets are very subjective....some people like something in the foreground.....some like something in the mid-section, some like nothing but the sky or maybe just a sliver of horizon....some people have never seen a spectacular sunset....so they think the colors have to be "fake" or otherwise enhanced.

Keep shooting....experiment​....you never know what might catch people's eye.

I was pretty sure that I at least set it up in thirds in my live view but maybe I'm mistaken since several people pointed that out. I guess I'm going to have to find a new spot, or go to this spot with someone. I'm there all the time and just don't see framing for some reason. Thanks for drilling me on composition, its definitely my weakest point.

I like 2nd and last best

Really liking number 3, just wish that branch wasn't there. I would almost even say just crop it low or something and get rid of it. the sunset and the trunk in the middle with the water is a great capture on its own.

Joergeske wrote in post #13623190
Really liking number 3, just wish that branch wasn't there. I would almost even say just crop it low or something and get rid of it. the sunset and the trunk in the middle with the water is a great capture on its own.

Thanks. I have taken something from that same spot that I really liked and I cloned out the branch. I will probably try that once I have some free time.

I love the first shot. What a peaceful feeling it gives!