A Few Sunset Shots

[NostalgicDad]

Living where I do I feel as though my opportunities for getting decent sunset shots are limited at best. Too much urbanization if you catch my drift. I'm always jealous of folks who live in close proximity to the ocean, mountains, or other nice places and can simply just decide to get some nice shots without going to any great lengths.

Although I live in one of the fastest growing areas of the country, there are still some country roads close at hand. But, they are usually areas with too much overgrowth or even encroaching signs of urban sprawl. There also isn't much change in elevation in this area either. However, once in a while, you can stumble on some decent vistas. While I was out on one of my bike rides this past Saturday morning, I came across an area I've ridden many times. For some reason, this time it dawned on me that it looked to be a great spot to check out the sunset. So, Sunday evening me and my wife took a drive to this location and enjoyed a very nice view of the blazing hot sun as it set over Prosper, TX. Below are a few I think turned out fairly well. I'm never sure on these types of captures, though. It's really hard to deal with this much dynamic range but I'm beginning to enjoy the D300 in that regard. Feel free to comment in either direction or no direction at all.

 

[DVC Jen]

Very very nice! Were these taken with your b-day present by any chance?

 

[DebºoºS]

Very nice! What a sunset! Curious as to your lens choice and settings.

 

[DisneyB2B]

They are great shots!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Very very nice! Were these taken with your b-day present by any chance?

Yep. And, it has not disappointed me in the least. Thanks Jen!

Very nice! What a sunset! Curious as to your lens choice and settings.

Thanks! I was doing a lot of experimenting so my settings may seem sort of all over the place. For lenses, I switched between the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and the Nikkor 70-300VR. For the first couple of shots, I wanted that starburst effect so I used a really small aperture. All shots were done in manual mode and a tripod was used. It was really breezy out so the ones at 300mm show a result of that. Below is the respective EXIF data.

Nikon D300
1/125 sec
f/22
50mm
ISO 200

Nikon D300
1/100 sec
f/22
18mm
ISO 200

Nikon D300
1/500 sec
f/5.6
70mm
ISO 200

Nikon D300
1/125 sec
f/8
300mm
ISO 200

Nikon D300
1/100 sec
f/8
70mm
ISO 200

Nikon D300
1/8 sec
f/22
300mm
ISO 200

Nikon D300
1/100 sec
f/5.6
300mm
ISO 200

They are great shots!

Thanks!

 

[dr_zero]

Very cool

I like that you can see for miles in the pictures.

 

[jann1033]

i like the star effect on number 2 and the reflection in the water(?)

 

[Tuffcookie]

Very nice!

I like the starburst affect, as well! Great coloring of the sky!

TC

 

[Code]

#6 is the keeper in my opinion. #1 would be great if the flowers didn't disappear into the background below the horizon.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Very cool

I like that you can see for miles in the pictures.

Thanks! We do still have some wide open spaces I guess.

i like the star effect on number 2 and the reflection in the water(?)

Thanks. I wish I could say that's water, but it's the road surface showing the reflection.

Very nice!

I like the starburst affect, as well! Great coloring of the sky!

TC

Thanks!

#6 is the keeper in my opinion. #1 would be great if the flowers didn't disappear into the background below the horizon.

Thanks Code. I sort of had the same impression. When I first looked at it in detail, I thought it was one that I "nearly" nailed. I was still satisfied to at least get some color detail out of the sunflowers though.