Sunset Over Moro Canyon

Lots of potential here with the scene and colors. My main thought would be to try and open up the shadow values a bit more in the foreground LRC.

I agree with Tony Kuyper's comment, unless you shot this in RAW, there doesn't appear to be much detail information there. If you did shoot it in RAW, then you could try going back to Adobe Camera Raw and adjust the Exposure slider by holding down the ALT key and looking for the point where you just start to get blown out highlights, put the Black slider at the extreme left, and then see what you can get with Fill. I actually tried this yesterday with a screen save of your image, but in 8 bit depth that shadow is empty. With 12 or 14 bit depth in a RAW file, you might be able ot recover some detail there.

As it stands, I think it's an attractive image and I like how it flows across the top from left to right and then down the right side, but that rather large portion that is pure black would be nicer with a bit of detail in it.

Thanks for your suggestions, I tried to bring out some of the detail in the shadow but unfortunately there isnt much there. I will have to make a note in my "Lessons Learned" to always bracket a shot fully even if you think the image in camera looks great by itself!

It is a good idea to bracket in a situation like this, as you say, but, again, shooting in RAW is also a very good idea, not sure what the case is here, but it would be multiple times better in recovering detail versus a jpg shot. So, ya, shoot a bracket, but also shoot in RAW.

Evan,

I think this came out quite well and I like the darker presentation. I think you have plenty of detail and interest in the LR area. The lack of detail in the LL doesn't bother me; it's not a silhouette and there is hints of detail there. The main story is the glorious sunset and the various layers, ridges and how the mountains/valleys kind of zig-zag through the frame. I think this is well composed.

Just two suggestions. I think the saturation/color is a little strong, specifically the mountain area directly below the sun is too purple for me. The other thing, and I'm pretty sure this is just perception, but I get the feeling this is leaning CW. Mostly from the way the clouds are sloping, but I also get that sense from the implied mountain/earth horizon. That's a minor point though.

Lon