SaguaroSunset

This is indeed a beautiful photograph. Especially if you look at the data provided by DeviantArt and see that it's a somewhat advanced handheld point-and-shoot camera (i’m intimately familiar with the model you used for this photograph because I used to own it a long time ago. I have used it myself - it’s excellent; and if a DSLR was not handy, I’d have no problems with picking one up to take photographs), and not a DSLR.

First, a bit about me: I've been taking photographs for nearly 8 years. In that time, I have worked professionally on and off as well. I have done landscape, portraits and (a few) weddings in that time. Even have some experience as an event photographer along with some travel photography. But, that's enough about me. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/a/a…" width="19" height="19" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="417" title="Sweating a little..."/> <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="454" title="Wink/Razz"/>

So, without further ado, let's begin.

First, the bad:

1. Even though the ISO is set at 80, there's purple haze/grain as the eye travels upward into the sky. A potential fix for this (if I'd taken this photograph with the same camera, I'd have done this): Crop the photograph to a 16:9 aspect ratio - it'd add more drama to the photograph (personal opinion) and it'd get rid of the grainy/noisy part up top. It would also serve to draw your eyes only to the essential aspects of the photograph - Sunset, cacti, and clouds that are actually lit dramatically by the sunlight.

2. I feel with a few adjustments, this image could have been better. I'm not even talking about heavy-lifting with photoshop. Upping the contrast a little and maybe enhancing the color and levels would make this photograph even more dramatic!

3. Just a suggestion (I should be honest, I've never done this, but do intend to - the first chance I get): Might consider using a star filter on that sun - It'd give it a rather interesting effect <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="454" title="Wink/Razz"/> Not that I'm one to talk. I haven't used it, but like I said, it's an idea and could be interesting. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/a/a…" width="19" height="19" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="417" title="Sweating a little..."/> [Reason I say this is that the lighting effect from the sun feels just too mainstream. It's good, but it could be better]. If you think you can’t attach the filter to the camera - one solution might be to simply hold it in front of it while taking the photograph, although I have no idea if it’d work or not. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="454" title="Wink/Razz"/> <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/b/b…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="366" title=" (Big Grin)"/>

4. Also, what is that artifact (if it really is one) up on the top-left corner in front of the cloud. It looks like a black speck. At first I thought my monitor was dirty, but after a bit of cleaning, I realized that it was the photograph <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/a/a…" width="19" height="19" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="417" title="Sweating a little..."/> lol Is it a bird? If so, it's too small. Had I been working with the photograph, I'd have edited it out so that there's nothing distracting from the cloud.

Now, the good:

1. Excellent timing. You captured this at what photographers call the "Golden Hour", I believe. So, excellent work there!

2. Beyond the cropping suggestion that I wrote about above, this is still excellent framing (all I said that - in my humble opinion - it could be better).

3. I love that the camera managed to captured the defused light and guessed the white balance correctly, along with a bit of the sun. For a point-and-shoot, this is excellent! But, when it comes to photography - it's usually the photographer, not the equipment that counts as much. So what I'm trying to say with this is that you have an excellent eye!

4. I love the framing of the cacti on the center left there. The composition is excellent and dramatic. Certainly, the way it's framed even now (no cropping) - draws your eyes from the sun, to the cacti, and then the clouds. I have no doubt that this is an excellently composed photograph.

With that, I'm done. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/a/a…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="349" title="Aww"/>

Please, remember - this is a critique - it’s supposed to chisel at you, your technique and your art (the photographs you create) so that you get even better at what you do. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="391" title=" (Smile)"/> It’s not supposed to be all compliments, but I have a feeling you already know this. You wouldn’t have asked for a “critique” otherwise. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/a/a…" width="19" height="19" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="417" title="Sweating a little..."/>

You have an excellent eye, and I'm sure with better equipment, and the courage to experiment a little bit - you can do even better than this! (and this is pretty good in and of itself!) I've seen a lot of photographers in my time - both good, and bad... and some who had no business calling themselves "pro" - you're one of the good ones. Keep working on it and never give up, no matter what anyone says. <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/b/b…" width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="366" title=" (Big Grin)"/>

Cheers!