# Sunset #3 **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape, abstract, intimate\ **Created:** [September 20, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320 "2026-09-20T22:47:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![joaoquintela](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/joaoquintela/32/20552_2.png) [@joaoquintela](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/joaoquintela)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320/1 "2026-09-20T22:47:19Z")
![Original - JQ_20260920_085-Edit-copy_Flickr--500px_1393x2048_U_90.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/8/683325cf10d39737d153f236b89634df928825d1.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Initial Reaction Please share your first response before reading the hidden notes below. The photographer is looking for an unbiased initial impression. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic / Expressive ### Questions for Viewers Does that photo look like it’s split in two? Does the link work? ### About This Image I’ve been enjoying taking some sunset photos, excluding the sun and the sky from the scene, leaving only an “impression” of the sunset in the reflections on the ocean waves. None of this is particularly new, but I’ve been pleased with some of the results. In this particular photo, despite an obvious vertical “division” of the image into two parts, I think the lower half—with the “impression” of the rays of light—is strong enough to contrast with the “sun” itself in the upper half. ### Technical Details Nikon Z7ii Nikon 24-120 polarizer tripod ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Wilson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/doug_wilson/32/89609_2.png) [@Doug\_Wilson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Doug_Wilson)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320/2 "2026-09-21T15:43:26Z")
Joao - i really love this. These type of reflection abstracts really appeal to me and this one has a lovely mix of golds and blues that really make it stand out. The colour combination between orange and blue is a real winner for me. I haven’t read your notes yet so these are my initial thoughts. I do feel that the image is split between darker tones on bottom and lighter ones at top. My eyes naturally gravitate towards the top lighter tones, but kind of dart up and down to the darker patch. I think that maybe cropping off the bottom 25-33% would keep the viewer focused on that golden area, and maybe a gradient to blend in the remaining portion below the golden patch might be worth a play. I hope you don’t mind but I downloaded your image and started playing, initially to see if what I’m talking about actually makes sense. But then i went a little overboard and punched up the contrast and added a hair of vignette to see what would happen. i totally understand that this could be too much for yur taste, but I’ll post it as food-for-thought. Please take all this as ‘for what it’s worth’. I love this abstract - the colours are beautiful and i salute the way you’ve framed the image, focusing upon the sea only. I think that is very creative. Processing example based on the original image: ![processing example](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/f/ef3f6a7c8fc1004147e0413c725bd474f448f79a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320/3 "2026-09-21T18:12:54Z")
João, I absolutely love this! Great vision, or at least recognition of the opportunity. It looks like the surface of the water is on fire! > [@](#): > > Does that photo look like it’s split in two? > Does the link work? I’m not sure what you mean by “split in two?” Maybe it’s what Doug is referring to in the upper and lower tones/luminosity? At first I didn’t even see it that way. What I do see is not a split, but a layering. It appears the golden light (fire) is sitting above the water; almost layered on top. But I don’t think that’s what you meant by split. Regardless, the effect of the reflecting light on the water is wonderful. I also haven’t read the hidden comments yet and so I’m not sure what “link” you’re referring to. I’m guessing it’s in those comments… Could you crop some off the bottom? Sure, but I’m not convinced that would make this image better. Love it as presented! Beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![joaoquintela](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/joaoquintela/32/20552_2.png) [@joaoquintela](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/joaoquintela)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:17am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320/4 "2026-09-22T09:17:36Z")
At first glance, there may be a tendency to divide the photograph—almost down the middle—into two distinct halves: the upper half with the “sun” and the reflections, and the lower half, darker and more somber, with only a few “brushstrokes” of light in bluish tones. One might think there is no obvious connection between the two parts of the image. That was my question. I think the connection is evident in the “brushstrokes” that flow from the lower part to the upper part of the photo. I like the photo as it is; I’m going to print a medium-sized copy to see if it holds up in print. I’ll display it prominently in my office so I can look at it from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320/5 "2026-09-22T16:53:02Z")
Your question on whether the image looks like it’s split in two fit the way I was looking at the image perfectly, Joao. My eye lands on the “pool of molten lava” in the middle, then goes up to the top of the image and comes back to the same point. I know there’s more at the bottom and when I force myself to concentrate on it, I find it very interesting and I can spend a lot of time there. I don’t think I’d lighten the lower area globally as I think the tonality in the blues of the water is just perfect. If you can bring out the oranges in that area just a tiny bit, I think it will help viewer’s eyes cross the lip between the two halves. ---
**Author:** ![joaoquintela](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/joaoquintela/32/20552_2.png) [@joaoquintela](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/joaoquintela)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/sunset-3/52320/6 "2026-09-23T12:02:26Z")
![impressão](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/7/a/7a562ed9335737d41b9f3a2e1d70f1a36d14d8d7.jpeg)