Sunset Couple

[Andrew76]

Have I done a decent job with this photo? Judge based on composition, colour, atmosphere, post processing, etc. Let me have it!

[rpcrowe]

very nice feeling to this romantic image. The left side of the horizon seems ever so slightly tilted down.

[Andrew1]

I will assume the couple was the subject, not the sky. I say that because this photo actually pulls my eyes away from the couple to the top right where the sky is quite a bit brighter. My only modification would have been a touch of fill flash on the couple as they should be at least as bright and defined as the sky. A more spectacular sunset may have changed the feel of this photo but I still think the couple needs to be brighter. I don't do very much so post-editing wise I can't give you definitive actions but lightening shadows and adding some contrast should help. In the end though, it's what they like and they may like this one.

[Andrew76]

Thank you Richard, and good eye on the horizon - I thought I double checked that, but I must have let it slip on this one!

Andrew, thanks for your critique. I was torn here too - I have several shots where the couple are silhouettes. They would make good editorial-type shots, but have no real 'personal' feel to them, so I've set those ones aside. The couple IS supposed to be the subject, and so your viewpoint opens my eyes to the dynamics of this photo. I was actually trying to balance both the sunset, and the couple - but that doesn't work very well, so I am going to take your advice, and try some minor adjustments to see what I can come up with.

Thanks again for your feedback.

[rpcrowe]

I tried this with a closer crop on the couple and less sky overhead and on the right side (as we look at it) of the image. It seems like that crop puts more emphasis on the cuple and the intruding bright portion of the sky is eliminated.

[Andrew76]

Thanks Richard, do you mind if I ask... Did you keep the same perspective ratio?

[Jos G]

Well Andrew, I think the overexposed clouds are distracting and would not crop them out of the picture (that would leave the heads much too close to the top!), but paint them with the burn-tool until you're happy.
Then I would crop the photo by cutting a little strip from the bottom; so that the little black triangle at the centre bottom disappears. That way another distraction is gone, but I like the slightly wider aspect.
Also I would take the Selective Colour tool and subtract about 70% cyan from the yellow channel - to make the yellow sky a little warmer.
I especially like the 'almost silhouette' of the couple and would certainly not use a fill-flash. Maybe a reflector. Maybe - I like this silhouette, remember?

[Andrew76]

Thanks Jos G. I agree with your suggestions - I will try to apply them. I myself like the 'almost silhouette', so I'm happy to work with the image keeping that in mind. Thanks again!