Two Sunsets

[jstp]

Hi all,

These are two sunset photos, they were taken at the same spot exactly 30 minutes apart, as well as about 10mm in difference for the focal length, the first at 34mm and the second at 45mm. I find it amazing the changes in colours you can get in that 30 minute time frame.

I processed these using Nik filters in PS, namely Color Efex, to give the light a bit of a softer look.

Cheers

J

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Both nice images,I especially like #1 with soft colours and visible details

[deetheturk]

Very nice Jason!

[IzzieK]

+1 for me for both shots, Jason...

[PhotoRob]

Nice set Jason, the color change is striking given they were only taken 30 minutes apart. I find my eye wandering looking for a focal point, wish that sun had peeked through the clouds a bit...

[FrankMi]

It is sometime amazing the difference a few minutes can make in the lighting at sunrise/sunset. In the second one, the clouds appear to be on fire.

[Donald]

It is sometime amazing the difference a few minutes can make in the lighting at sunrise/sunset.

And that's very much the key to it. I think a lot of people arrive at a place, see what looks like a nice sunset and blast off a few frames and go away happy ... only to later find out that the images maybe don't look as good as they thought they would.

Getting good sunrises and sunsets is about getting there early and being patient. For sunrises, you have to be on location well before sunrise begins, in my opinion.

I think Jason's images above are perfect examples of the 'rule' about being patient. It would have been easy to walk away after capturing the first photograph. But by being patient, the opportunity for a very different image appeared.

[Mike Buckley]

Great lesson!

Did you use a gradual neutral density filter on the second one to affect the water? The reason I ask is that it's not just the light that is different; the water is also very different and makes that image my favorite of the two.

[Texas Dave]

Nicely done indeed!

[jstp]

Did you use a gradual neutral density filter on the second one to affect the water?

Not a graduated filter, I used a ND8 filter, specifically for that effect on the water.

Cheers

J

[Mike Buckley]

I used a ND8 filter, specifically for that effect on the water.

Expertly done. You retained the perfect amount of texture in the water yet smoothed it out just enough to display a wonderful reflection.

[mrsmasch]

Beautiful images!