I don’t get very excited by sunset pictures. The obvious problem: we are inundated with sunset pictures.
But my Tofino trip changed that. Tofino sunsets can be spectacular. Especially at very low tide. This image was made around summer solstice when days and sunsets last ‘forever’. The area is a photographer’s dream: gorgeous coastal scenery, marine life, inter-tidal life, rainforests, foggy days, etc.
Ingredients: Clear Lines for the eye, Tonal (brightness) Balance, The Unusual, Tension.
The strong lines in this image, as well as the balance of brightness between left top and right bottom, may be the main reason for its appeal.
The brightest area in the original image, in the left top, strongly attracts the eye. The general lines in the image do not support that the eye should move in that direction. To soften this conflict (tension) in Post-Production, the difference in brightness between the left top and right bottom of the image was reduced significantly.
A graduated neutral density filter could have achieved the same effect.
Understanding how "The Ingredients" affects the success of your images will assist you in choosing the most effective post-production edits to strengthen the ingredients.
Sony ILCE-7RM2, Lens: FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS, ISO 125, f-22, 1/30 sec., tripod.