[AquilaEagle]

I went to Sicilly on holiday this year and took a few shots of the great sunset one evening. I've had a play with each in Photoshop, just thought I'd share some different effects I put on 3 pictures...

[Venomator]

Manipulated or not ... these are great looking sunsets - would rather be there than snow-bound.

Great shots - but what is the different manipulations you have used ... filters ?

[AquilaEagle]

First one : Sharpen, Adjustments, Photo Filter, Warm 25%
Second: Sharpen, and Sunset Filter from Opikverve
Third: Sharpen and Auto Levels Adjust

I was just playing and thought how little things can give such different results

[Arkady]

Horizons look a little wonky in #1 and #3. And it's not me - I just checked.

[AquilaEagle]

You're right! That is something I need to remember to look for. Invaluable learning this, and a steep curve for me Thanks

[barrymoir]

The first shot for me, the boats look like there sailing off into the sunset.

[AquilaEagle]

Here is the first one with the horizon straightened (I think!) (The crop may be slightly different)

[DaveG]

I like them all, especially number 2. Would look great printed and hung on a wall

[CT]

Everyone takes off -level shots. We don't have a built-in spirit level when we're hand -holding, although they're a desirable feature to look for in a tripod.

Hand -holding, all you can do is use the edges of the viewfinder as a guide and be as level as you can, then it's no hassle to level up in editing.

Originally Posted by CT

Everyone takes off -level shots. We don't have a built-in spirit level when we're hand -holding, although they're a desirable feature to look for in a tripod.

Hand -holding, all you can do is use the edges of the viewfinder as a guide and be as level as you can, then it's no hassle to level up in editing.

I try and use the focus points in my viewfinder as guides for levelling. Usually helps.

[AquilaEagle]

It's not something I had thought of before when taking shots, so it is one more bit of advice which has taught me something here!

[Catdaddy]

One of the custom options on the D70 (as well as the F80 and probably other Nikons too) is the fact that you can display a grid in the viewfinder - 3 verticals and 2 horizontals IIRC. Makes it dead easy to line things up if you need to. Not sure whether Canons have this feature or not.

[Ribby]

Nice pictures, very calming. Well done

[CT]

Originally Posted by AquilaEagle

Here is the first one with the horizon straightened (I think!) (The crop may be slightly different)

It will be a different crop Ian. You do lose a little image size when you crop an image after skewing it to straighten up. It's usually not much but the bigger the slant, the more image you lose.

[AquilaEagle]

Yep of course I guess that is what I meant!