Sunrise, Sunset, but No Fiddler

[Rachel Foster]

I’ve struggled with scenics. One type of scenic I’m drawn to is sunrise/sunset. Scenics are my weakest area, and makes shooting scenics irresistible. I’ve learned a lot about scenics (and have plenty left to learn) from almost everyone who posts regularly. But some lessons I associate strongly with particular members here. So, here is my most recent attempt to put into practice what I’ve been taught.

From Asher, I’ve learned to shoot wider, and be less narrow in my focus (literally!). From Charles Webster, I’ve learned if it doesn’t add to the image, it doesn’t belong in the image.

ISO 2000, f/6.3, 1/200.

Rachel Ann Foster "Lighthouse at Sunset"​

From Ken Tanaka, I learned that if the scene is not inherently interesting, shooting it during sunrise/sunset won’t save it.

ISO 125, f/8.0, 1/2000

Rachel Ann Foster "Lake Michigan Waves"​

And from Maris Rusis, I learned that there must be enough light that the scene is not simply a band of orange atop a band of black.

ISO 2000, f/5.6, 1/400

Rachel Ann Foster "Factory on Lake Michigan"​

And I just like this one!

ISO 125, f/8.0, 1/500

Rachel Ann Foster "Lake Michigan in November at Sunset"​

So, I have two specific questions. First, am I getting the message? And, second, what makes a great water shot during sunrise/sunset as opposed to the pretty shots anyone with a camera comes away with? Shooting such beauty is almost more challenging than the mundane because it's almost impossible not to capture something lovely.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Rachel,

Don't be so hard on yourself. Each of these pictures is agreeable to look at and would make nice prints for an office decor. They are apolitical, non-racist, sexual and raise no controversy. They're just the sort of neutral mood people buy for office space. If they were framed and the right size and color to match the office color palette., they'd sell if you had access to the designer.

Photography is for entertainment as well as for making artistic works. I think you want your pictures to mean more than decorations for the office wall. Well, I must say that these pictures seem greatly improved over your previous work. Still, I think you are enjoying panoramic views but then gathering only one half of the scene. Interestingly, to me, at least, it's generally the right half that I find myself missing in your landscapes!

It's far better to simply get any one of these scenes with several overlapping a ultra-wide angle shots and not worry about detail. Once you get home, at your leisure, then try different ways of cropping to get the most of your concept into that picture.

Asher

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you, Asher. I am resigned to and comfortable with the idea that any meaningful work I do will be with portraits, not scenics. I'm struggling to master composition and technique. Whatever I learn about those things will help my portraits and still lifes better. And...I can't walk away from a challenge!

My hesitation with a wide angle is that there is far too much in broad panoramas I don't want. It feels cluttered to me. Still, I'll keep working on it. With 21 megapixels I can crop more than I ever could before. I'll keep reminding myself of that.

 

[ErikJonas]

..............

I like these picture Rachel and agree with Asher....

I think once you get some self confidence under your belt your images will get better...Nice images i like each one of them...

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you for the kind words, Erik....but it will never be "good enough!" That's what makes it so much fun and such a challenge. There's always something more to master. I love that.

 

[Rachel Foster]

Asher, I've been pondering the "right half" observation. At first I wondered if it was a hemispheric dominance influence but I'm fairly bilateralized (women tend to be more so than men if I remember right). Curious question.

 

[ErikJonas]

.......

As a decore print those would certainly sell....How much better do you need to be then that Rachel....Anyway i do like them....lol i'd let you know if i didnt hee hee.....(goes off to the cafe section crayons in hand)

 

[Sandra Jones]

Rachel, I especially like #2 and #4, with the beautiful, yellow colouring. The composition of these two are appealing as well, esp #4 with the people in silhouette. Saying that doesn't mean I don't like the other two, I do, but I find them more common I suppose (?). I don't know what makes a sunrise/sunset shot right. I just know what I like and I like the 'yellow' ones. I really don't think you should throw in the towel just yet, or ever.

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you, Sandra. Number 4 is my personal favorite.

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Develop your vision

To take better photos I have found the more I study art of all kinds, the better my eye for composition. Almost all art galleries now have the ability to look at fine art online.

There are hundreds of good photo websites to look at images. Then you must also go and shoot and shoot and shoot to develop your technical ability. Some times I will shoot and can barely decide which images to process and other times, I feel a drought. Just keep going!

 

[fahim mohammed]

Rachel, go back to your earliest threads...as they say you have come a long way. These pictures I like
for their serenity and aren't sunrise and sunsets the perfect moment for such peaceful reflection.
The colors tend towards the pastel hues..soft, gentle and just like in life the waves try to disturb the
solitude but once again life returns to normal.

Those who value perseverance and the determination to improve could take a leaf from your endeavors.

I really like these pictures, but more importantly I have nothing but admiration for the photographer.

May success be at your beck and call.

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you, Kathy.

As always, Fahim, you leave me humbled with your generosity and kindness. Thank you.

 

[janet Smith]

Hi Rachel

Well done!

These are all good, No 4 stands out to me as the best of them, but as I say - I like them all, I do enjoy witnessing your progression, keep up the good work!

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you, Janet. That's my favorite as well.