Ethereal sunset

[ionian]

A couple from my vantage point at work this evening, for C&C. It was a delicate scene, unlike many of the spectacular sunsets we see.

1.


2.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Sergio M.]

The title fits well. Soft gentle tones with the spire adding to the celestial or spiritual mood of the image.

Well seen and captured.

Sergio

[Mike Buckley]

The flock of birds really makes that image for me. It's so good that I would take the trouble to eliminate the lamp post. At least consider eliminating the contrail, which will be far easier to do. Well done!

[Rebel]

Lovely mate, did you add the birds separately?

I wish they were in the second one!

[ionian]

Thanks everyone. The birds... Yes they were added. I took a separate capture of the birds as at the speed they were going I wasn't going to get them sharp with the nd filter I needed for the sun (everything was hand held, I just had my camera and a couple of filters in my work bag). It was how I wanted the scene to look; I know some will feel it is "cheating" but I'm trying to create the best pics I can, not be a documentary photographer. I worked hard in post to ensure there is no ghosting and that they blend into the scene.

Mike - I'll get rid of the contrail. I tried to remove the lamppost but the result was very smudgy; I'll have another go because I agree it's in an unfortunate position, centre stage, and I'd prefer it gone of course!

Matt - I could add birds to the second image but I'm not sure it would work with that composition. In the first it creates a triangle of focus points above the triangles created by the trees, but the second has less space and I think it might look really contrived.

[ionian]

Edit done - I managed to remove the lamppost with patience. It's not perfect but it's in no way a disaster. I've also added a touch more blue to the sky at the very top (just a touch), removed the contrail, slightly dodged the church spire and settled on a 16:9 ratio.

Thoughts?



Edit: the blue in the sky looked horrid when viewed on a different screen, so I have undone that.

[vaez]

nice pic my fav 1 for birds

[Mike Buckley]

Good job removing the lamp post!

[John 2]

Two nice images Simon. The second for me if I have a preference purely because I prefer the horizon being larger in the frame and I like the rendition of the sun more. I can also see where Matt is coming from about the birds being in the second but that would be too much to hope for.

[bnnrcn]

Both very nice images Simon But I wouldn't crop #1.

[IzzieK]

Two nice images, Simon. I prefer the second one because of the sun's position. I've seen many like this too but this is nicer. The whole scene looks very serene and calming and the addition of the birds in the first is a brilliant idea. I will do it too in a heartbeat if given a chance.

[ionian]

An attempt at number 2 with birds. I can't tell if this is overkill, but then again I have just spent the last 45 minutes trying to eliminate a halo round some of my little avian friends - so I may not be in the best place to judge. Right now, I hate the little blighters

[IzzieK]

Compositing the birds here is most excellent. You did a pretty good job -- they look like they belong there too.

An attempt at number 2 with birds. I can't tell if this is overkill, but then again I have just spent the last 45 minutes trying to eliminate a halo round some of my little avian friends - so I may not be in the best place to judge. Right now, I hate the little blighters

[Wavelength]

Lovely and very peaceful

[ionian]

Thanks Izzie. Looking at it again this morning, I think I have them spread out to much on the vertical axis. If I get a chance, I'll see how it looks with the 5 lowest moved to the left of the group, to give it a more natural shape. They are a bit like bats in a horror movie at the moment...

[IzzieK]

You are too harsh in the assessment of your work, but that is good in a way -- I would have given up easily if I think those are bats...

[ionian]

Ok, that's sorted it out. I'm happy with this now.

[Kaye Leggett]

Well done for perservering !!!! I like the first without the lampost best