Look at the Sunset!
by Wayne Jones
The entire Sun is in this image, but there is no flare because it is shining through a thick summer haze. As I was looking for a composition, shooting from my kayak, this canoe came into view. I paddled like crazy to line up the shot (not perfect, with two moving boats, but I'll take it). At first I think the paddlers were wondering what the heck I was doing; then they turned around to look a the setting Sun, giving me this view of them admiring the same thing that I was. I was hoping for a spectacular low sunset, but the Sun just disappeared behind the clouds a few minutes later.
(I shot this in 2007 and I occasionally revisit the processing.)
Canon 20D
Sigma 18-200
1/250 sec. @ f/9; ISO 400
Hand-held from Kayak
Comments
7 commentsHowever, now having really looked at it, with the luminance of the water reflections extending over to the extreme right edge, the relative negative space created by the conifer works for me, especially in that the two fishermen are looking in the opposite direction.
What I see in this, apart from the sheer visual beauty of the composition and its colors, is really an existential statement about how we are all in this temporary cusp of existence, fishing is a good metaphor for it, some of us with the sun setting, yet enjoying the moment; while passing from light into darkness.
That's my feeling, anyway, realizing that we all see and interpret these images through templates that come from our present circumstances.
JOHN, Yes, fishing can often be a good metaphor for almost anything, as can light and darkness.
CAROLYN. Yes, a good place indeed, and I forgot to mention the place; it's Lake Lila, in an Adirondack wilderness area, which means no motors allowed, and a bit of a rough hike just to get a canoe to the lake. I love it.
ROB, The apparent halo around the parts of the paddlers and some of the vegetation seems to be from the hazy back-lit conditions (where one layer is backed by a more distant layer lit from behind; and where the Sun creates rim lighting around a shady subject. Not sure if these subjects are "shady" or if my processing made them look "holy" because I have not seen the original file in five years. Guess it's time to look at it again!