Sunset Lake Erie

[Ambrya]

My first attempt at a sunset/landscape type shot.... not sure i'm happy with it at all.... tried several different settings.... and a polarizer filter which just made everything look kinda purple.... any comments/suggestions?

[Frog]

I wouldn't be too disappointed. It takes more than a pretty sky to make a good sunset shot.
I don't think yours is bad.
I think you'll see a significant difference in eye appeal if you crop half the water or more between bottom of pic and the rocks. I did a scroll crop and find it more appealing as it makes the rocks and trees into more of a foreground subject which is often missing in sunset shots.
It would also lower your horizon which you now have in the horizontal center.
The clouds are rather flat but if that's what was then that's what was.
A polarizer wouldn't help in this situation. A light nd might but I'm not sure.

[tayl0124]

I agree with the crop suggestion, a little less water could make it look nicer, but overall not bad. I think the thing that most people really want to capture in a sunset is more those last few moments where the sun really lights up the sky and horizon where you rarely see the actual sun. Maybe a few giant steps to the right to get the sun out of the trees and wait for it to set a little more would have made for a killer shot.

[MB1]

Actually a fairly appealing image with a few flaws. Overall I like it (but then I am a sucker for sunrises and sunsets). The real deal is that your timing was good and you were there-that will get it done more than any other factor.

Learn about the rule of thirds, keep your horizons straight, get yourself a graduated neutral density filter and you will be shooting sunsets like a pro in no time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

[Ambrya]

thank you all for the comments and suggestions... ive heard that rule of thirds mentioned here a lot... it's been like 8 years or so since i took photography in college and have since been doing graphic design primarily in advertising.... so i need to brush up on those sorts of things... but the link was really helpful and all the suggestions you guys (and girls) post on here (in everyone's photos) are always helpful.... i'll keep trying

[gahspidy]

This is not bad at all. I would crop this into a pano by cropping down a 1/3 of the sky just to the tree tops of the trees surrounding the sun. There was not much of an interesting sky so losing most of it will be good. the texture and slow long waves of the water is nice and will benefit from remaining.
As said already, being there and being ready is the biggest factor and you were.
Possibly increasing your contrast a bit will give this a little more pop and also bring out the color some more.

[PRB]

If this is your FIRST attempt, I am greatly impressed.

I agree with the previous suggestions and particularly like Gary's idea to crop this to a panorama.

You are well on your way --- keep shooting and keep sharing!

My Best to You,
Penny