Please critque two sunset photos for me.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

03/29/2007 01:32:10 PM · #1

I am trying to be adventurous and step outside my comfort zone, which is photographing people. These are two sunset photos I took last week. I would love some tips and advice for improvement. I will have another opportunity to take photos here and want to make the most of it next time.

flavioalima

Nikon D90

03/29/2007 01:38:31 PM · #2

I like the second one. Nice tones and depth, beautiful mountains. Maybe a little washed out... I'd try to increase contrast a bit.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

03/29/2007 01:39:10 PM · #3

Left a couple of comments.

danthesquidkid

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II

03/29/2007 01:40:56 PM · #4

to much light for me

if you go back, try a much higher shutter speed. it'll take out a lot of the excess light, or even give the circle.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/29/2007 01:58:01 PM · #5

one thing you might want to try - if you go to reshoot. wait until the sun is actually setting behind the hills. generally the clouds will be more colorful without the direct sun on them. that would require a pretty slow shutter speed, so you'll need a tripod or something to set the camera on.

the sun is pretty high in the sky still for the mountain photo.

you might also try combining two exposures. one exposed for the foreground/hills, and one for the sky. overlap them in the image editor, and erase away from one of the layers.

fredahenry

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/29/2007 02:04:48 PM · #6

as for me..
both are awesome..it's really good photos
u just need to work a bit on the editing like

1. adjusting the exposure on the raw or ps
2. adjusting the curve, saturate and well as usual we don't like noise in our photos right, so reduced noise or if it's not sharp enough just work on the USM. :)

I like both.

dewdodesign

Nikon D850

03/29/2007 08:24:26 PM · #7

i really like the second one, but as someone mentioned before IMO it is too dazzling.
Which is a shame as the hazy effect below really adds character to the image.
Guess you give you a good excuse to go back and visit this beautiful spot ;o)

03/29/2007 11:21:44 PM · #8

Oh yes, I do want to go back. I appreciate all the tips. I didn't take my tripod, but I will for sure next time so I can take the advice given here. In the meantime, I will try some of the photoshop tips as well and see what I can come up with. Thanks everyone! I need a way to reduce noise now.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

03/29/2007 11:32:35 PM · #9

By the way, I did keep taking photos as the sun went closer to the horizon. I was thinking it would make a better photo as it got closer, but the light did not radiate like I thought it would. As you can see by this one, it is not very dramatic. I think I prefer more color and light than I am getting here. I did try adding more contrast to this one, and plan to go back and do the same for the other sunset photo and see how that looks. Thanks!

dewdodesign

Nikon D850

03/29/2007 11:38:53 PM · #10

personally i actually prefer this last picture you have posted. I think it really accentuates the mountains as there is a great contrast. Perhaps a little underexposed at the bottom of the picture but this can be easily fixed by cropping.
Great shot :o)

cools98

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

03/29/2007 11:46:07 PM · #11

I really like the second photo in the original two. The composition is much more to my liking. Very simple.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

03/29/2007 11:48:39 PM · #12

Ok, I gave this a try with photoshop. The original was at the beginning of the post. I tried the advice given and came up with this. Any ideas on whether this is better, or did I just ruin it?

And dewdodesign, I am suprised you like the second one. I guess I really don't even know what to look for with landscapes. I was thinking the color was too washed out. Thanks.

dewdodesign

Nikon D850

03/30/2007 12:15:32 AM · #13

I guess it really comes down to individual taste at the end of the day, but i really like the blue haze in your second one :o)

P.S I've made a comment on your cute caterpillar pic ;o)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/30/2007 12:31:50 AM · #14

Originally posted by Jewelly:

As you can see by this one, it is not very dramatic. I think I prefer more color and light than I am getting here. I did try adding more contrast to this one, and plan to go back and do the same for the other sunset photo and see how that looks. Thanks!

I've been applying Curves to member images all evening ... I tried to make your image a little more dramatic.

Started with RGB Curve:

Then a Curve on the Blue/Yellow Channel:

Finally, enhanced the contrast a bit with Unsharp Mask at 16%/64 dia/TH = 0: