Sunset Photos

[Kyle]

I recently went down to the local conservation area which is a great place for hikes and of course photos. There is a ton of wildlife to see and it's apparently one of the best places to capture birds in the area. I've got a few nice bird shots I'm working on but I really wanted a chance to try out my new Canon 10-22mm f3.5-f4.5 USM lens.
There is a nice beach there which made for some good water sunset photos. This one is my favourite of the photos that I took.

1.

I also took some with my 55-250mm lens. I like the first one but I'm a little unsure of the other two.

2.

3.

(This one I liked because it looked like 'the light at the end of the tunnel')

4.

Looking for c&c on these. Really looking to work on this type of shot before I head out on a trip to Alberta this summer.

[FrankMi]

Hi Kyle. There are usually two main aspects of a good sunset to look for. The first is the composition. That is, how the elements of the image work together to create an emotion in the viewer. The second if the profusion of colour and pattern that can be dramatically different from one sunrise/sunset image to the next.

Of these four image, the first has the most interesting composition in my view. Good leading lines, detail in the foreground, a nice 'bleed' in the sky from pink at the horizon to the dark blue at the top. One thing that is missing is the focal point. My eye is drawn by the lines to the distant shoreline on the right but when it gets there, there is very little of interest to hold attention.

In all four images, the colours are muted, primarily because of the height of the sun. Typically, the best colour is dependent on the type and position of the cloud cover and often is at its peak after the sun slips below the horizon and casts a reddish/orange hue on the bottoms of the clouds just above the horizon.

I hope this helps as you continue to improve!

[Kyle]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the reply and advice. I completely agree with you about the composition, especially for the first image. I liked it because it has the shore to guide your eye, but yes it is missing something to really hold it. Unfortunately, there isn't much interesting on that section of the beach to really get a good shot of. I haven't really explored a whole lot of the areas around here since I started getting into photography. I am sure that there are many great photo opportunities but I just haven't found them yet. These are my initial photos, working with what I have found. I live near Toronto which has a nice skyline so I'm sure if I explore enough I'll eventually get to a good spot with that in the distance.

I also noticed what you were mentioning about the colours. They were really muted originally so I tried to increase the contrast, vibrancy and saturation without distorting the colour too much. I think the last one can benefit from more colour. I liked the concept of the shot but I don't think it turned out how quite the same as what I had in mind.

Thanks again for the advice, I'll keep it in mind when I am out looking for the next shot. I've also got a few other photos that Might work well, just need to get around to editing them.

[FrankMi]

Hi Kyle,

you can often get some great Toronto skyline images at dusk and sunset from the CN Tower or any one of several of the Toronto islands just offshore. Or, for a different kind of subject, explore Casa Loma with camera in hand. Keep on posting! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[Kyle]

I haven't actually been up the CN Tower in years. I'll have to do that soon.
I explored Casa Loma a year so back and took lots of photos but that was before I knew how to take the camera off auto. That's another place I'll have to go back to soon.

I really just need to get more adventurous when it comes to exploring the city.

[IzzieK]

Kyle...good morning. I will comment about your composition not the way you have processed the shots.#1 -- try to put numbers on your picture so it is easy to identify while writing comments.

Ok..here goes: #1 will benefit from a good composition, if you lessen the foreground and shoot the whole tree or part of it upwards. I think that will work...

I like the last one best...the path leading to the light and everything surrounding that little spot the sun is shining on. It is a wonderful image...

[Kyle]

Thanks for the comments Isabel. I was hoping to get back out there today to try changing up the composition based on your feedback but the weather wasn't cooperating. Hopefully I'll get back out there this week and I'll try again. I'm also going to adventure out closer to the city to see if there are any nice spots.

I'm glad you like the last one. I still think there's something more I can do to it to improve it but I wanted to strike a balance between focusing on the light through the trees while not making the foreground too dark.

Also, I'll make sure to add numbers next time.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Kyle,I especially like #3 with nice colours and soft texture of plants.It looks like a painting I agree with Isabel about #1.Even cropping from the bottom might improve the image but a new shot with the whole tree would be better.

[Jeffbridge]

wow, amazing shots! Such beautiful colors & details...very nice!

[Downrigger]

I too think the last one has potential. I agree with Frank that some of the best light happens during the minute or two before and after submergence of the sun. When we are appreciating a sunset (or sunrise) contemplatively the appealing appearance seems to have a duration. During the best moments thought, light and color are often changing second by second. It is surprising how fleeting the moment of best light and color is, and how little time you have to pick your settings to capture it.

[Kyle]

Thanks for the comments. I'm planning on getting back down to those trails to retake #1 as soon as it is nice out. Every time I go there I plan on getting right to the water to find a good spot for photos but I get distracted along the way by all of the wildlife!
I also need to bring my tripod and get set up in advance of the sunset so I can everything ready. These shots were sort of rushed. The park closes at dusk so it's hard to stay there until the light gets to that perfect spot.