Sunset at Rajang River, a photo from Sarawak, Est

Photographer's Note

Last Sunday I was holed up in Sibu hotel from 9am till 6pm in business meeting. As soon as I came out of the hotel and saw the sky, I rushed to get my camera and went straight to the wharf, knowing that I would find a good opportunity.

I found a good spot for this pov, waited a few minutes for the sun to lit up the sky and then frantically shoot the glow of this warm sunset colors.

Many curious onlookers were watching me, and a number of them fishing at the river. After a while, I found that they too, began to notice and appreciate the sunset.

This is one of the good shots I made. As the water is clear and open, I composed partly to have this ship for contrast and silhouette. As I continued to shoot, I was pleasantly surprised to find the sun's glow getting better as the minutes ticked by.

You can see the glow of sun rays beaming up to the clouds. The blue sky was above. The thick clouds just over the water would later give me such good spectrum of colors.

The ship was unloading and had lights at its spotlights on. And I included it for comparison with the sun's light intensity.

(I find great consolation that the last 2-3 days had seen good weather with blue sky, clouds and bright light. Since August 2007, evenings were always blocked by dark clouds to deny us good sunsets, except very rare numbered days where the sun was colorful at sunset.)

The Rajang River has brought direct and indirect wealth and economic benefits to the people in Sibu in diverse ways. It used to be known as Swan River.

Thank you for looking.

Regards
Bill

hgupta, sayanwithsenice, bizsu, Wandering_Dan, besnard, robob, pboehringer, carper, avene, snowfalken, pierrefonds, stego, edytungkal, azaf1, mphotographies, papagolf21, jorgi, Ramdan, rmkrshnn, jlbrthnn, ls7902, jusninasirun, Bluejeans, yogi32, Karmenu, noborders, gunbud, Matthew-Watt, chrisnet, shevchenko, claudeD, zmey, lucasgalodoido, envisage trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

hgupta (1323) 2008-01-14 8:55

Hi Bill,

Really amazing shot. Very nicely captured and composed. Very beautiful colors and crisp shot. It looks like the dance of light between the sky and the water refleceting amazing colors.
Regards,

Hemant

sayanwithsenice (758) 2008-01-14 8:57

Hello Bill,
Great colors and contrast are produced here!! What beautifull golden effect is produced in the sky. NIce reflection at the lake .The view of the clouds are breath taking! GREAT WORK!!

regards,
Sayan

bizsu (1015) 2008-01-14 8:57

Hello Bill,
Fantastic sunset and landscape. Very nice orange sky and river. Great work.Good POV, Good compo.
TFS.
Regards Zsú

miumiu (6117) 2008-01-14 8:59

Hello Bill!
Fantastic shot, with romantic and calm atmosphere!
Blue, orange and yellow colours of the sky are amazing!
Greetings
Agnes

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2008-01-14 9:01

Carpe diem - seize the day! Or in the case the end of the day! Sunsets are funny things and you never know if they're going to get better or worse. This one got to be magnificent.

Great composition, especially with the freighter and its bit of red. In fact, I would like to have seen just a little more of the ship.

Nice that you got the locals to appreciate it, too.

Regards,
Dan

besnard (59196) 2008-01-14 9:30

Bonsoir Bill
Le ciel brille de tous ses feux. J'ai bien peur que l'oiseau se brûle les ailes. C'est net et bien cadré. Du beau travail.
Merci pour le partage et bonne soirée.
Nicole

TGULUMSER (13252) 2008-01-14 9:41

Hello Bill,
This is an extraordinary sunset with a wild composition and amazing colors,
Congratulations,
Tulay

robob (3648) 2008-01-14 9:44

Hello Bill,
Le soleil semble avoir explosé en projetant toutes ces superbes couleurs dans le ciel,
Félicitations Bill !
Bien à toi,
Robert

vero07 (1781) 2008-01-14 10:04

Hi Bill.
What an amazing sky! Colours are great, strong tones and nice combination between them. I like these clouds in the middle of the sun and the detail of this black boat on the right. Suitable framing also.
Well done!!

scalerman (26900) 2008-01-14 10:27

Bill: I find your sunset image here just fine with faithful handling of light. I would omit the lettering in your frame however since we get that from the note and it detracts from the beauty of your picture. regards, c

carper (96) 2008-01-14 10:38

It is nice Bill,.
marvelous backlight shot, good pov and fine contour, the quality is super, very nic3e photojob here, i like it, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

pboehringer (770) 2008-01-14 10:41

Bill,

the inclusion of the ship at the far right are actually what makes this sunset shot work. I have the impression that too many sunset shots are being presented at TE and all of them look nice but somewhere lacking originality. Having shots from sunsets isn't difficult. It is a beautiful moment of the day that happens everyday with some beeing more attractive than others but essentially it is there everyday. Havinf said that just standing there and clicking a sunset doens't make it interesting. The secret is the inclusion of a surprising element and the ship in this one gave that. I might have even walked more to the left and turned more in to the ship to get the action of unloading the ship.
Peter

avene (12675) 2008-01-14 11:10

fantastic colours, I absolutely love the feeling of luxury the golden light creates. also, as others have noted, the inclusion of the ship is what makes this photo special, I particularly like the red accent on it. simple, but effective composition too. however, I think I'd clone out the firds, I find that since their silhouettes are not too well defined, they look more like dust spots. but that's a minor point, the shot is great great great :)
best,
Kristine

snowfalken (1116) 2008-01-14 13:32

Hello Bill,

Fantastic sky and sunset! The colors in the sky are brilliant and the textures in the clouds look stunning! Also great composition with low horizon line and excellent reflections in the water! Well done! Thanks for sharing!

With Friendly Regards,
Eddie

pierrefonds (115546) 2008-01-14 14:49 [Comment]

Show Comment +

stego (24132) 2008-01-14 16:01

Hi Bill,
Sunsets tend to look 'glorious', but this one exceeds the average 'very nice and achieved'. It's breath taking! Those rays coming from behind the dark cloud, the tones of orange and blue on the sky, the flying birds, the back of the ship on the FG avoiding any risk of monotony... A great photo indeed!
Regards, José.

edytungkal (4551) 2008-01-14 17:32

A fascinating sunset moment at Rajang river, the colours are amazing despite a little bit unsharpen but it stills an outstanding shot, well done Bill. tfs

daniel

azaf1 (15931) 2008-01-14 21:37

Hi Bill,
A bit too much for the colors BUT it's just gorgeous!
This is exactly what I love myself. Skies and clouds
Great job!
Argiris

mphotographies (1976) 2008-01-14 23:54

Hey Bill,

Burst of gold, very vivid, perfect timing as cloud formations above adding show to the entire scene. Perfect depth and composition is superb!

Best Regards!

Jom

papagolf21 (152607) 2008-01-15 1:08

Bonjour, cher Bill,
Oh ! Bill, vous avez fait très fort avec cette publication. C'est tout simplement magnifique. Nos yeux n'en reviennent pas tellement la beauté est magnifiée dans cette réalisation.
Grand coup de coeur pour cette composition.
Félicitations.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jorgi (3810) 2008-01-15 1:27

Hi Bill,

this sunset is so picturesque that is amazing. It must have been overwhelming standing there seeing this beauty. So vivid, dynamic, yet so peaceful. Absolutely beautiful.

Best regards,
Jeri

Ramdan (117) 2008-01-15 3:25

WOW!!!

The colors, the glows, the rays, the clouds, the sea, the reflection, the ship and its spotlight, the birds, your camera, and you with 'heart and soul'... all those 'elements' blended, making this wonderful, fantastic sunset scene really great.
I really love seeing this, Bill.
Regards,
Ramdan

rmkrshnn (46) 2008-01-15 4:43

hi Bill,

Amazing Sunset picture.
the sky with colorful clouds is simply stunning.very well done.

regards,
rmkrshnn.

jlbrthnn (76043) 2008-01-15 5:12

Hello Bill,
I would like to have the occasion to see such a spectacle. I would also wish to be able to photograph it as you did. Cheer.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

ls7902 (7380) 2008-01-15 5:46

Hello Bill,
Great shot! Wonderful colors, contrast, and lighting. Good use of the bow of the ship to give better depth & framing. Well done. The star of Malaysia page today. Congratulation. Regards. Latiff.

jusninasirun (17529) 2008-01-15 6:01

Hello Bill,
You have got yourself a hit. How lucky that you actually had time to catch the sunset. I was stuck with work till I checked out.
This is till now your best sunset post. So much brilliance with very little saturation. The foreground is stunning and a closer look reveals the glow is breathtaking.

Congratulation, you got yourself a Hit.
Well done,
Regards,
Jusni

ag1993 (634) 2008-01-15 9:21

Hello,
A brilliant capture indeed. Amazing.
Regards
Andrea Gatt

gracious (20025) 2008-01-15 10:30

Hello Lau,
Very good perspective with a ship captured on the right!
very good low pov with depth on this beautiful sunset!
excellent colouration and clarity
well done on this one!
greeting
Tony

porto62 (2313) 2008-01-15 13:04

Hi Bill,a great compo on that sunset real great colours and lightning, wonderfull POV and DOF.Alain

siamesa (28231) 2008-01-15 14:36

Hello Bill,
Fantastic your photo. This sunset is unmissable. Congratulations.
Maria

crckt (7222) 2008-01-15 20:48

Hi Bill,
What an amazing sunset! Let me tell u what I really like: the boat placed in the right, but only partly; the red light on the boat; the light streaking out through the clouds; and ofcourse the colors of the sky and water. the only slight problem is a little noise. but when i like so many other things, that doesn't count :)
well done,
shaeri

sagar (2410) 2008-01-16 0:48

Hi Bill.
Amazing shot!!!Thuis is really beautiful!!!Wonderful colors of the sky and the reflection in the river....Amazing. Only one thing, I guess the footer was not necessary.
Regardfs,
Sagarneel.

hello_ishan (1571) 2008-01-16 1:56

Hi Bill,
Excellent shot; the golden sky looks great. The sunrays coming thru clouds is creates magic. The reflection of sunlight in the water makes the scene awesome. TFS.

RS

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-01-17 5:15

Ola Bill ,
Fnatastico pôr do sol , as cores estão maravilhosas , gostei muito dos reflexos com tons de laranja , o ceu ficou muito bonito com os raios solares a passarem pelas nuvens, parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Karmenu (1408) 2008-01-17 6:36

Hi Bill
Really beautiful. Brilliant colours and scene.
Excellent work. Artist talented.
Regards
Charles

sacavem (18620) 2008-01-17 9:05

Hello Bill,

Very beautiful sunset, good composition that he is taken at the good time and the moment.
Well done.
Filipe

Flavia (10352) 2008-01-18 6:32

Hi Bill,

Fantastic shot! I see the long exposure held extraordinary colors and great light. You capture perfectly the golden our. Composition with part of the ship framing the sky works very well.

Cheers,

Flavia

noborders (1010) 2008-01-18 10:24

As dramatic and splendid as your other photo from the same location (I recognise the boat), personally if I had to chose between the 2 photos I would take the other one but still this one is fabulous too, and the good thing is that both are complementary and different.
Best regards,
Cath.
:))

gunbud (34066) 2008-01-18 18:14

Hi Bill,
Stunning sunset over the beautiful wide delta of the great river of commerence. The golden sun rays penetrating the dramanftic clouds. Very informative note to go along with this
fine image.
Regards, Tom

Angshu (56760) 2008-01-19 1:00

Hello Bill
The colours are spectacular. Like the radiating sun rays and the way you framed with the back of the ship, which makes this shot standout as against the huge number of sunset shots posted here. And yes, the birds also create interest. Good work Bill, not sure though about the bold lettering in the bottom.
Regards
Angshu

chrisnet (23062) 2008-01-19 12:20

Hi Bill,
Splendid sunset here, I like the amazing colors of the sky, well seen too the bird which flying, great photo!
Regards

Uhu (8609) 2008-01-20 2:13

Well this is amazing sunset. One of thousands sunsets on TE, but really outstanding shot it is.

polter (7239) 2008-01-20 5:13

Splendid sunset, but the best is the lights' of the ship weak try to compete :)). Fine composition and rich colouring.
Greetings T.

mirarer (4751) 2008-01-20 12:16

Hi Bill,
Great light and beautiful colors. Amazing sunset.
Regards,
Mirari

shevchenko (20560) 2008-01-20 19:37

Hi Bill,
Lovely golden sunset from Rajang River, nice to see sunlight come out through the thick clouds and colouring the sky, good shoot.
Ally

thiv56 (1628) 2008-01-23 23:26

Hello Bill,

Wow! A marvellous skyscape! What bright colours! TFS.

jbwapiti (1188) 2008-01-24 14:19

Bonsoir :)
Quelles couleur magnifiques.
Je ne sais plus si c'est le ciel qui est en feu, ou la mer...
Cela ressemble à une peinture de Turner.
Bravo !
JiBé

marietom (34611) 2008-01-26 1:10

Hi Bill,

Magnifiques, quelles couleurs ! Bravo !
Je repasse
Marie

claudeD (47754) 2008-01-26 8:44

Hello Bill,

another sunset shot with an amazing atmosphere.I like your composition and colors.Very well done.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

zmey (7335) 2008-01-27 17:19

hello, bill

this is a great sunset-photo with fantastic colors, light and an excellent "object of interest" in the foreground (the red-lit boat). i just feel that the frame with the larger letters is a bit distracting here taking attention away from the scene. other than that minor detail: well done and TFS.

kind regards,
kristaps

Cutajar (285) 2008-01-28 11:52

Wonderful photo.
Great shot, well taken.
Regards James.c

migzal (485) 2008-04-05 9:17

i am very impressed with this shot. Perfect timing. added it as one of my favorite.

marcdemoulin (1870) 2008-04-15 12:36

Well I'm not a great fan of sunsets what the right part of this great shot adds a lot!
Marc

steliosk (4802) 2008-06-28 4:57

Looks like a similar POV to the one I've commented before, however the colours is different of course, taken an other time, Lovely POV, lovely feeling!

Regards
Stelios

foozi (7101) 2008-06-28 17:17

Hello Bill, a really excellent shot here. Looks like the commercially produced. Vry exciting and very striking in great colours and rays of the sun. the reflection is great too. What i like most besides al those, is the moment where a bird flew over the sky. Its there to add the value to your shot.
Really beautiful.

regards,
Foozi

jafadabret (56501) 2008-06-30 11:54

Hi Bill,
C'est une chance de photographier un si beau paysage et tu l'as parfaitement fait. Les couleurs, les reflets sont d'une très grande beauté.
Jacques

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2008-08-01 17:28

Olá Bill,
uma bonita captura essa, com belas cores desse fim de tarde. gostei dos pássaros voando também e a inclusao da proa do navio.
Parabéns e Abraco

Ptitcaid (656) 2008-08-11 0:32

Bonjour Bill,
Beau coucher de soleil, j'aime bien de voir les rayons qui sortent des nuages.
Certains nuages sont foncés mais ils sont bien illuminés par le soleil. J'aime ça.
Salut!P'tit Caïd

envisage (207) 2009-04-13 4:18