Sunset feedback: I just returned from a winter trip thru the southwest. I found the sunsets fascinating and trying to determine which I should keep. I would like your options on these...

GregW610 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I just returned from a winter trip thru the southwest. I found the sunsets fascinating and trying to determine which I should keep. I would like your options on these three. Are they too dark? Other opinions?

I have not done any cropping or post processing yet. Any recommendations?

Thank you

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

love the cloud formation. I think that the foreground on all three is too dark. Of just the skys I think that I like 2 best just for the definition in the clouds. If you are not opposed to it this sky would make a beautiful replacement sky against a well exposed foreground

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

The sweep of the first shot is very appealing. Try lightening the foreground to see if it adds anything.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I like No. 1 but as has been suggested if it was mine I would open the shadows to taste.
Increase saturation just a bit to make it more dramatic.

Walkabout08

#3 for me, the sky is really beautiful and the silhouette of the land really lets it be the star of the shot.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I prefer #1, mainly because the tree leans out of the frame too close to the edge in the others. As an alternative to lightening the foreground, try cropping an inch or so from the bottom. The swirl of the clouds is wonderful.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

GregW610 wrote:

I just returned from a winter trip thru the southwest. I found the sunsets fascinating and trying to determine which I should keep. I would like your options on these three. Are they too dark? Other opinions?

I have not done any cropping or post processing yet. Any recommendations?

Thank you

I really do not like sunset/sunrise photos. But of your three I like number 1 the best BUT would open up the shadows across the bottom if you can.

Dennis

cdayton

For me, the second is the best composition and best exposure - blue sky looks good. We lived in southern AZ for about 10 years and I shot lots of sunsets. I finally stopped in frustration because, as I was about to print one up for the wall, the next day would be even more spectacular.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

dennis2146 wrote:

I really do not like sunset/sunrise photos. But of your three I like number 1 the best BUT would open up the shadows across the bottom if you can.

Dennis

Very nice - #1 is the 1! I played with the pic and managed to lift the foreground - but doing so did not improve the sunset or the feel it gives.
IMHO your SOOC is just as the pic should be.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

UTMike wrote:

The sweep of the first shot is very appealing. Try lightening the foreground to see if it adds anything.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Sunsets and silhouettes usually make a good pairing. I like the composition of #1 best. The tree disappearing off the edge of the frame isn't a good look IMO. Sunsets are a good candidate for being given more pop via the contrast slider. Sunsets can be very vivid in real life, so you can give it quite a lot of boosting before concerns about losing a natural look become valid.

zaidy

The 1st shot is the best, IMO

Ourspolair

Just to be different... why not crop the bottom of #1 a little and render the foreground as a silhouette?

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

GregW610 wrote:

I just returned from a winter trip thru the southwest. I found the sunsets fascinating and trying to determine which I should keep. I would like your options on these three. Are they too dark? Other opinions?

I have not done any cropping or post processing yet. Any recommendations?

Thank you

I like the 1st one; however, I would brighten the foreground just enough to give it some detail/character.

bwa

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Delderby wrote:

Very nice - #1 is the 1! I played with the pic and managed to lift the foreground - but doing so did not improve the sunset or the feel it gives.
IMHO your SOOC is just as the pic should be.

Just so you know I did not take the photographs.

Dennis