Racing the Sunset

I like the compression effect of a telephoto lens in the right composition, and for me this is one.  The sun is setting just to the right.  Fortunately, a bike rider appeared in the scene, making a huge difference.  I thought I wanted her closer to the camera, but she stayed near the edge and blended with the ground.  When I told her this, she turned around and went way, way back and returned just so I could have a second shot.  The photos are separated by 11 minutes.  By that time, the sun was lower to the horizon and the color had changed (the color is very close to what I saw in both photos).  This is the second shot.

If you click on the right arrow, you can see the first version.  I'd love to know if you have a preference for one over the other.  Thanks.

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for sharing another great picture. I prefer this version as it seems to have more variance in color tone, which adds richness to the photo. I also love your use of perspective - both the sight line down the road and the placement of the camera above the road. One question for you, the meta data says that you used a 1/25s shutter speed; how were you able to keep the rider from being blurred?

Thanks,

Brian

Brian, thanks very much for your comment.  I was using aperture priority and completely unaware of the shutter speed, although I could hear that it was relatively slow.  She's going up a slight incline here.  However, when I looked at a 100% view of the original, I can see some motion in her feet.  1/25 was fast enough to render her sufficiently sharp; it even made the sprinklers in the far background sharp enough to see the pulses.  The original photo was at the same aperture (f/11), and the shutter speed there was 1/100; amazing how fast the light can change in just 11 minutes.  [Had I been more aware of the low light, I would have upped the ISO, but I just didn't think about it.]

I had a look on both images caught and I really like this one,I think that the rider has more visual impact here and eyes go from this point to bg following the road in this golden-pink light,is interesting.

Of the two, this is the one for me, and like Radu, I think it is the position of the rider here, and then the wonderful almost peach color of the late light.  That was darned cooperative of your model to turn around and pedal back up the hill toward you again!  This really has a lot of visual appeal.  Well seen!  Cheers!  Chris

I prefer this version as well Stephen! Having the rider closer, and more towards the center line generates more interest I think. Very well done!

All the best,
Neil

Well, it's unanimous!  I also prefer this version because of the warmth of the colors and position of the rider.  It's extraordinary light, and for that reason I wonder if you considered eliminating the top strip of whitish sky.  It does draw my eye to it a bit, and I notice your other version isn't like that.  

Good Morning, I too have a liking for this version. Yes the rider is key, I also think this one has more atmosphere with its slightly richer color. Don't get me wrong they are both excellent.

Regards,

Holger

Like both your images for the one powerful hue that dominates the entire image. Prefer this one as it has fading evening  tones which gives depth.

regards

Gamini

Stephen, this is my pick.  I like the compression, colors, and mood.  And the road and journey, of course.

Yep, this one, the rider is more prominent. It's great how much detail is there on her body too considering where the light source is.  I agree that cropping the yellow strip at top would be an improvement as everything else is in the orange-red-magenta range.

I'll join the bandwagon and choose this one as well.  The rider certainly is one of the main reasons but the tonal differences work better in this frame.  You also had a slight change in the POV which makes a huge difference to me.  This frame is much more balanced, IMO...  Mike

I appreciate everyone's comments and opinions.  While this is the same rider on the same road, the photos were taken 11 minutes apart; she kindly went way back down the road and returned to give me a second shot.  Triathletes have that kind of "what's a few more miles and hills?" attitude.  Here the color has shifted and she is closer to the camera, and those two aspects appeal to a number of viewers.  I intentionally included the crest of the hill in the background, but several have stated and I agree that was not a good decision for composition.  Fortunately, I have a lot of cropping options, and I've already made a square crop that omitted the distant ridge, and I like that version.  It's striking that within a single image there are other versions that elicit different responses based solely on what's included, what's excluded, and the shape of the frame.  Again, thanks for your input -- it has given me much to consider and it has helped me to look at my own photograph.

I prefer this one as well, the warmer hues are ultimately what won me over. It's a wonderful shot and tugs at my heartstrings considering cycling being one of my favorite pastimes.

Tim, thanks for your comment.  I found that cycling requires a lot of time to stay in shape so that one can really enjoy the rides.  I chose to sell my custom-made bike (Davidson) because I just couldn't devote the time to it.  In retrospect it was a good decision because I'm no longer able to ride a road bike due to the pressure on my neck.  I now happily bike around town sitting almost straight up, but I put far more miles on my bike than my truck during the summer months.

Nice warm light and colour, very good perspective, and a strong composition. Even the light and colour are beautiful, road is interesting and cyclist with shadow are attracive, the composition makes the image.

Gunnar, thanks for your comment -- it's appreciated.

Beautiful work: i like the strong composition and the beautiful lighting. Compliments and best regards. 

ps:I prefer this version. 

Federico, I think a majority of folks have a preference for this version, but I need  to try to eliminate that distant ridge line.  I've found a square crop does pretty well.

My preference goes to this version. Better colours and composition, the position of the biker respecting more or less the third rule. The size of the biker makes him much more visible than on the other shot. This is quite obvious when you compare the thumbnails side by side.

Fantastic work, well done!

Best regards,

Alain

Alain, the relative size of the biker made a difference for me as well.  I like this photo for the closer connection with the biker, and the other for a better sense of the solitude of biking.  Thanks for your comment.

this is sweet.  It looks great and also combines my two favorite things: roads and cycling.  Cheers, Micheal

Michael, thanks for your comment.  I used to cycle a lot (even had a custom-made road bike), but medical injuries now have limited me to urban streets.  I admire riders like this who train hard for triathlons.

The color, the light, the telephoto compression and the rider all work so well here.  I'm enjoying wandering through your portfolio.  Consistent quality and vision throughout, I think   Not run of the mill.  A lot of nice work here.