The Sunset Guardian

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted September 9, 20081,393 views11 comments

I went to this beach, very popular... with a couple of photographer friends. The whole time I was photographing there was this dog getting into the shots, and initially I consider him an intruder. So finally the sun was below the horizon, and I decided to include the half moon in the image, and one more time the dog came to my frames.
This time I decided to include him as part of the scene, but the low light was producing 5 secs exposure which wasted a lot of my attempts because the dog will start to turn his head in the middle of the exposure. Finally, 5 secs of him looking to the horizon...

Nikon D300
ISO200 5 secs; 12mm

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Shane Srogi on September 9, 2008 at 3:23 PM

Edward, you know, I really like this image. One of those make it work situations.....and for me it does. I like that the dog is stock still looking at the sun and surf is obviously moving. This adds interest to a strongly composed shot.

-Shane Srogi

Registered on September 3, 2008, 32 Posts, 224 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on September 9, 2008 at 5:31 PM

Beautiful shot, Edward. Perfect composition.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on September 9, 2008 at 6:28 PM

What a great image! Not only are the scenery and light superb, but the dog is so perfectly positioned. It looks like he's enjoying the sunset too. As a lifelong dog owner (well, not sure who owns who really) I find it very moving.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Carroll on September 9, 2008 at 7:15 PM

Fantastic shot Edward

Registered on August 19, 2005, 132 Posts, 983 Comments

Comment posted by Winnie Ho on September 9, 2008 at 11:11 PM

Ed - i am completely won over by this shot. The dog is perfectly positioned and the soft warm side-lighting on the fur is just beautiful. I like to think the dog came to this spot to fetch the stick but paused here, distracted by the beauty of the shore and waves. The crescent moon is a nice touch also. I am amazed he stood still for 5 seconds!!

Registered on January 6, 2008, 93 Posts, 1788 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on September 10, 2008 at 3:37 AM

Awesome M&N shot or should I say dog & nature. Love the light and the composition. My only nit is that a bit of separation between the biggest stack and the one in the ocean would have made this perfect.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Pedro Bento on September 10, 2008 at 8:13 PM

Great moment!

Registered on September 2, 2007, 45 Posts, 761 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on September 10, 2008 at 9:44 PM

Great image! The comp and light really work here. Did you get his paw print for a model release?

Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on September 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM

Congrats on a fine shot and getting lucky on the dog not moving for 5 secs. That's amazing in itself.

Looks like El Matador Beach

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Kartik Venkatarama on September 24, 2008 at 1:29 PM

Man, this is great! The light on the dog, its posture, an the leading lines from the dog's feet into the middle ground of the image...superb!

Registered on July 27, 2007, 197 Posts, 830 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on November 11, 2008 at 7:52 PM

You posted this a while back, Edward, but I just came across this shot... and I'm glad I did! Beautiful lighting, the subtle leading lines created by the water are great, and the dog definately makes the shot! I'm glad he stayed still for you.
Definately worth all of those attempts!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments