Michael Weatherford
March 2025 - Amazon Sunset
About the Image(s)
This is a sunset image shot from a small boat on the Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Amazon in Brazil. I liked the rich colors produced by the sun partially hidden by the clouds. And the birds in silhouette. Nikon Z8 with 400mm lens. Camera settings: 1/400; f16; ISO 360. In Lightroom I cropped about 60%, increased contrast, lowered highlights, darkened shadows and blacks for dramatic effect. Dehazed a bit. Then ran the image through Topaz AI mainly to sharpen up the edge of the sun.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
(Group 32)
Lovely shot with the bird against the sunset.
It reminds me of a letter that Rachel Carson wrote to her friend about sitting on the front porch of her summer cottage with her husband, to paraphrase, "We sat out on the porch last night watching the full moon. You know, if you wait long enough, you can see a goose fly across the face of the full moon." Posted: 03/03/2025 22:09:09
It reminds me of a letter that Rachel Carson wrote to her friend about sitting on the front porch of her summer cottage with her husband, to paraphrase, "We sat out on the porch last night watching the full moon. You know, if you wait long enough, you can see a goose fly across the face of the full moon." Posted: 03/03/2025 22:09:09
Thank you. That's a lovely quote. Posted: 03/26/2025 00:12:34
Colorful and impactful image - in my visual feedback I cropped in a bit as I didn't think the pano crop was as effective - a bit too much space on the left side of the frame, but still a lovely image Posted: 03/06/2025 09:33:16
Thanks Butch. I like it! Posted: 03/26/2025 00:13:36
I going to have to agree with Butch on the crop. In the submitted version the left side just seems to be uninteresting. Additionally I feel that perhaps bringing some detail to the bottom of the image would help as there is just too much black in the lower third. The addition of the bird does introduce a bit of a story to the image. Over all it is a glorious sunset. Posted: 03/08/2025 13:53:31
I agree. Thanks! Posted: 03/26/2025 00:14:38
A beautiful sunset for sure, great patterns in the clouds. The bird adds a lot, giving a nice point of interest. I do like Butch's crop as well. I'd be interested in Larry's suggestion about bring out more detail in the dark, but I don't mind it as shown. One thing I would suggest though for presentation here when you have a dark edge like this is to put a very thin border on the image- I can't tell where the edge of it is, against the black page. Posted: 03/16/2025 12:49:16
Good suggestion. Thanks! Posted: 03/26/2025 00:16:08
Michael - I love the shot. The bird's wing almost touching the setting sun is terrific. I don't agree that a crop is necessary. Moving from the dark lower left to the light in the upper right spiritually uplifts me. I think this is a lovely photo. Posted: 03/18/2025 15:00:39
Thanks. Those other folks don't know there's a large flock of Ivory Billed Woodpeckers in the dark section. Posted: 03/26/2025 00:17:22
A lovely sunset made exotic by being in Brazil! I haven't quite gotten the hang of not blowing out the setting sun, but I see that you have no problem with that. I'm impressed!
I like it just the way you cropped it, but I admit that in Butch's version the bird appears more noticeable (but that could be just me). Posted: 03/20/2025 21:44:56
I like it just the way you cropped it, but I admit that in Butch's version the bird appears more noticeable (but that could be just me). Posted: 03/20/2025 21:44:56
Thanks. I think I was lucky to get the bird just right, before being blown out by the sun. Posted: 03/26/2025 00:19:17