This may surprise some of you, but I'm not a huge fan of sunset pictures. Don't get me wrong, sunset is a great time to take pictures ... just not always of the sky. The thing is, it's not too hard to get the feeling that when you've seen one sunset picture, you've kind of seen them all. Even when I lived in paradise, getting a unique sunset picture was not always an easy task.
Alright then, so why did I post a picture of a sunset today?
Well, for my project365, I have a couple spots/objects/locations around the base that I pretty much know I'm going to get a shot of before I leave. This big gun was on my target list. The thing is, taking a picture of it during the day would have been sort of boring. It's just a big gun. But, catching it right at dusk, with some nice pink clouds in the background makes for a nice contrast. However, please imagine that that pink sky background just by itself, with nothing in the front of it ... yawn city huh?
So I've got two potentially boring subjects on their own, that when combine make for a somewhat interesting picture.
And that's one of the keys to making a sunset picture interesting ... make sure you have something good in the foreground. (I believe we discussed this same topic previously in How to take Fireworks Pictures). Beyond that, the other key to sunsets is under expose, over saturate (just a little), and be aware that days with lots of nice wispy high clouds will usually proceed picture worthy sunsets.
Ok, that's about what I've got for today. If you've taken any sunset pictures in the past (this should be everybody), what did you find that made it "special" for you?
p.s. If you've got a flickr link or something to your own favorite sunset pictures, feel free to share in the comments.
Todd Morris
Okay well first of all, I always love sunrise/sunset pics. Especially when the sky is pink or purple. There’s something about seeing the sky those colors that makes me ridiculously happy, and even if the shot sucks, I’ll still love it. But I’m a girl.
NOW THEN… your pic is brilliant. Seriously, it better be up on flickr cuz I’m gonna track it down and fave it. The silhouette, the colors, the different lines in the sky… all just perfect.
Ari´s last blog ..three sixty five. week four.
Hi Ari,
I’m glad you liked the shot. And actually, it’s funny you should come here to comment … as I almost used your crystal ball shot as another example of cool ways to shoot sunsets. http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiousillusion/4252584520/in/set-72157613677325842/
… there, now I’ve used it
Ha ha well I appreciate the “almost” use of my pic as an example.
Ari´s last blog ..three sixty five. week four.
Ari,
… actually, your pictures are a bit hard to share … because of the @All Rights Reserved copyright, there’s no embed code or download link … and I can’t even copy/paste from you flickr page.
Your picture are so good, and I know you like people seeing them. You really should consider changing to one of the Creative Commons licenses … Attribution/No Commercial would probably give you just as much “protection” as All Rights Reserved … but would allow other people a way to share your pictures outside of flickr.
Just a thought,
Todd
well if my pics are so hard to share, how do people keep stealing them?! :p
Creative Commons hmm? I’ll look into it…
Ari´s last blog ..365 Days of Danbo: the seriously extended edition
Todd I will be brief today.
Perfect-well done.
Mike´s last blog ..Oriental Magpie Robin Birds of Thailand Photo/Image
Thanks Mike !
Your photo paints a poetic picture: the war is drawing to a close.
Love,
Dad
Hi Dad !!!
Oh, I hadn’t thought of that for naming the picture … something like “sun setting on the Iraq war”