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cindy1701d — Into the Sunset
Published: 2012-06-30 10:03:28 +0000 UTC; Views: 1779; Favourites: 174; Downloads: 0
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Description
I took this picture last night in Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake NY. The sun was setting and my daughters friend Nelson chased the seagulls and they flew across the setting sun. I thought the way it came out was really pretty. Taken 6-29-12Related content
Comments: 34
A very nice image of an often difficult capture. You have so many competing interests - the birds, the sun, the clouds, the water, and the reflection all looking for attention. You did a nice job of getting the one bird in the sun so it dominates over the bright light. The symmetry of the fading day and the birds flying away is a great story.
A few technical issues. First is the sun. While the bird is silhouetted, the blown out part still draws my eye away. I don't think you'd have lost any impact by going with a faster shutter speed and making the all the birds completely silhouetted. Another is the crop. The big batch of water at the bottom doesn't really add anything to the story, and places the horizon almost dead center. Cropping at the little set of waves would still allow the viewer to see that the birds are flying over water, and would give them even more of the focus.
There isn't a lot of contrast in the overall image. Putting an S-curve and increasing the saturation a bit would bring out more color in the background, thereby bringing out the birds even more.
Overall though I think you did a nice job here. It's a very pleasing image.
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Thank you for the critique, I was using the fast shutter speed because I was taking picture of the birds flying when my daughter friend was chasing them. I realized the were crossing the sunset to my right and just turned and started to snap the shots as I tried to center the sunset. I didn't have time to change the setting I was using. I tried to recreate the shot and the birds just would not fly in the right places again. I did crop out some of the water in the bottom of the picture, and even tried to crop out most of it. But when I did it made the picture look to top heave to me and I didn't like it. It also make it in to a more side to side picture and that too was not what I wanted, so I went with what you see here. You are right and the sun does have a blown out look too it, I didn't try and playing with the curve and it kept seeming to make ever thing else too dark and I didn't like that as that was not how the sky really looked when I took the picture. As you can see the sun is still kind of higher up in the sky and it was still very light out. I am glad you liked the shot and still find the picture very pleasing.
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Wow. That water almost looks painted; that's awesome!
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Thank you Tea. I am glad you like it.
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Thank you so very much.
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You're very welcome! 
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Thank you Christa *hugs* I am trying to get back to taking pictures, I realized that after Al my heart was not really into photography anymore. The last fight we had was over me taking pictures and I really yelled at him a lot. That was only about 5 days before he went into the hospital, less then 2 weeks before he died. I know he would not want me to stop doing something was gave me so much pleasure. So I have been trying to go out more and trying to find more places to go. My oldest daughter and one of my younger daughters friends went we me. Amber's friend Alex said she would go with me to more places over the summer as she is home from college. And I do have to say that Amanda really has been trying to spend more time with me. She even came over to night and took me out for ice cream and then we went to the store. And last night she went to the beach with me. So she really is trying to be here for me. I wish Amber could come home, but she is taking grad school right now and can't.
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Cindy:
I think photography will help you through this difficult time and I'm glad to see that your not just meandering around your home all alone. I'm pleased to hear that you have Alex and Amber around to keep you motivated to get outside and focus on what you love the most. One companionship we all need that and keeping you involved in honeing your photography skills. I'm sure Al is watching over you and he's pleased that you've not given up on your hobby/passion for photography. Plus I'm up here keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that you just do your best one day at a time.
Have a Beautiful day my friend and I hope your out with your camera today!
Hugs
Crista
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