The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God.
In November 2014 I attended a medical conference in Denver and decided to take a side trip ahead of the conference to one of my favorite places on the planet, Great Sand Dunes NP. At that time of year attendance at the park was pretty sparse and as this evening drew near almost everyone packed up and left. Seeing this cloud formation emerging earlier in the evening I decided to stick around. I had left sites prematurely before and lived to regret it so I thought it might be worth the wait. As the sun set the show kept getting more spectacular. The only other person I saw was a custodian closing up the visitor center and he seemed oblivious to what was happening. This still ranks as the most fantastic sunset/sunrise I’ve ever witnessed. >=))>
Specific Feedback
Is there enough land form at the bottom of the frame? Would this work better as a pure sky shot?
Technical Details
Sony A77
Sony DT 16-50 @ 26mm
ISO 200, 1/60 @ f8
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
That sure is one glorious sunset Bill. I’ve learned over the years that it’s so worth it to wait for a while after the sun sets to capture the best color in the clouds. A lot of people leave right after the sun goes down and miss the best part. You were rewarded by waiting it out. I like your choice of having just a small strip of land at the bottom of the frame as it gives the image more context. Better than just a sky shot in my opinion.
It’s all about the sky Bill. I agree with Ted, the small strip gives us context, it’s all that is needed.
The rest of the frame is a wonderful capture of the amazing colours that sunsets can give us.
Well framed and great use of the wide-angle.
Is there enough land form at the bottom of the frame? Yes. There is no reason to be a slave to the rule of thirds. Particularly given the context provided by the title, the shot empasizes the grandeur of the heavens.
Would this work better as a pure sky shot? No. The scale you show emphasizes the mightiness of one compared to the smallness of the other. Without the land shown at the size it is, the photo loses its point.
Bill, I remember this view. The colors and how the flow across the sky are indeed amazing. The bit of mountains along the bottom provide important context. If you want to try an altern, you could crop from the bottom and the right, to only the brighter parts. That looks to be quite a colorful abstract. I especially like the rolling motion in the orange clouds near the top.
Wow, Bill, what a sky exp[loding with light and color. I hope you got out before that cloud let loose. I like the sliver of land. It emphasizes the sky. Terrific image.
Bill - to the Glory of God, indeed. What amazing gifts we have been given, if we only take the time to see them.
This is one of the most spectacular skies I’ve ever seen, and the small sliver of land at the bottom anchors, but does not overwhelm it.
Superb!
Oh wow, Bill, I sure am glad you had patience to wait to see what would happen after the sun got down. Absolutely beautiful. I meditate on Psalm 19:1 quite often and it sure goes well with this image.
