Sunset at Venice FL – and More
May Weller - Florida Sunset
Every photographer at one time or another will attempt to capture a spectacular sunset. It may be the most photographed of all of nature’s glorious natural paintings. But therein lies a problem-how to stand out from the crowd. Perhaps this capture provides a good example. May was at the scene and noticed a couple of surfers trying to ride the apparently calm waves. With her camera ready, she waited until one walked into the scene and snapped the shutter. An otherwise empty space now had a focal point in the lower left to balance the sun and pier on the right. Here also is a perfect example of proper and effective use of the Rule of Thirds. The rose/orange reflection in the wet sand provides an additional resting area for the eye in the lower right and the pale color dancing on the waves rounds out the completed scene. One other point to consider. Think about how much less effective the shot would have been had the surfer been walking out of rather than into the frame. Click here to view a quickly Photoshopped version showing exactly that. Does this reversal lessen the impact?
May, you are truly gifted!
Indeed and humbly defer to you o George!
Thank you.
Loose-cannon
Great photo, May. I love this time of day at the beach. You have really captured the sun’s folding of its tents. I like the almost ghostly surfer for balance and anchoring. You’ve made me homesick for the salt air.
sandy pinto
Great shot the orange reflection really makes it for me!
Ahhhhhhhhh! Yes, George. You make a good point. But in this case “The big-camera-boys’n-girls” have the advantage since with this shot, the location and time of day were carefully planned in advance. May knew exactly what she wanted and went for it. The only serendipitous occurrence was the surfer. It’s sometime tough to frame a shot when shooting from the hip area.
ahhhhh! the little camera! now you are talking Roger! The big-camera-boys’n-girls miss a lotta good shots, when they can’t fire from the hips at short notice!
G
i enjoyed going with may to the pier, impressed she uses a little camera, she has a good eye and chooses good subjects,congratulations may.
roger
wonderful patience and eye, may! the reflection of the sun in the small portion bordered by sand and surf bring the cohesiveness to a lovely shot. see you soon, janice
Beautiful shot, May! Everything lined up just right for you in this shot! I loved photographing the piers in Florida.
I agree with George, regarding the pacing surfer – walking into the image is better.
It’s a very lovely photograph and enhanced by the reflection in the wet sand which, the shape thereof, mitigates my initial objection to the scale and curves of the surfboard in the composition.
A good example of triangulation in composition.
Lonesome-chap’s legs echo the supports to the pier as it marches into the horizon, but I feel his scale would have been better reduced a little. If he could have been persuaded to look less disappointed at the lack of waves, straightened his back and carried his board on the other side of his torso, it would have been an improvement, I think.
The subtle turquoise color of the sea is gorgeous, complimenting the fiery elements.
Thank you!
George
Nice picture May….and I really don,t get into sunsets but I really like this one…see ya
Love the X’s grouped together towards the end of the pier. And the sun’s reflection in the sand is perfect.