landscapes & nature Sunset Tree

I wanted a bit of a *dramatic* look - not sure if I was able to

really achieve this look.

I think of dramatic as including a touch of the ominous, as in looming storm clouds and similar things. A flock of birds flying past a setting sun with gentle clouds overhead is just not going to be ominous in that sense. On the other hand, if you are thinking of dramatic as simply meaning forceful then you are maybe getting closer to the mark you aimed for.

The choice I find most interesting in this photograph is the horizontal band of white clouds above the rounded form of the black tree. The relationship between these elements adds a layer of complexity to the image that keeps me thinking about it. The blue sky above the clouds is critical to creating this relationship. Cropping the image in the middle of the band of clouds creates a very different image.

My biggest problem with the image is in some ways personal. Sunsets almost always feel kind of obvious to me. It is VERY hard to do something original with a sunset. However, it all depends on your goals. Lots of people clearly like sunsets.