Sunset Surprise

When deciding to photograph sunset, you never know how it is going to go. Sure, you can check the timing and choose a location, and you can make an educated guess regarding color (or lack thereof) based on clouds and weather conditions. But in truth, Mother Nature has an infinite bag of tricks and you never know which one she will spring on you at the last minute.

This sunset is a great example of the unexpected. We had hoped for great color and classic cloud shapes. What we got was subtle color, unusual clouds, and an odd, long, low-hanging cloud that reflected the peachy-pink sunset.

Use of a wide-angle lens enhanced this sunset immensely. The extreme wide-angle view brings your eye into the picture from the top and sides, and directs you to the long, low line of the colorful cloud, the strongest warm tone in the image.

The line of mountains acts as a base. While often mountains are the main attraction in an image, in this case, they just support the very brief drama played out in the sky above.

TECHNICAL DATA

Shutter Speed 1/250 sec.  Aperture f/11.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L set at 23mm.  Camera: Canon 6D.  Handheld.

TODAY’S QUOTE:  "There's nothing like a beautiful sunset to end a healthy day."  --Rachel Boston