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Sunset Survivor


Sunset Survivor
Photo Information
Copyright: David Sidwell (dsidwell) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 175 W: 6 N: 181] (680)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11
Camera: SONY DSC F-707, Hoya UV
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/50 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2004-12-13 19:17
Viewed: 1809
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I suppose I should apologize for a flambouyant sunset shot, but I won't, because it has always been my dream to take a sunset shot with one of these amazing plants.

Carnegiea gigantea, or the Saguaro cactus, is a very large cactus reaching heights of sometimes 15-50 feet. This one is about 20 feet in height.

It is the state flower of Arizona, USA. There are strict laws prohibiting the taking or the destruction of one of these trees, and fines are very heavy. A whole industry has grown around the preservation of these plants, as developers and builders cannot destroy one, even to build a school or a house.

It has a very shallow root system, and so are actually easy to move, if you know how to deal with the thorns (they wrap them in carpet). Quite a remarkable plant!

For this image, the clouds were low, but there was this small window through which the sun could peek. When the first sliver of sun appeared, I jumped into place and began taking photos. I was too low relative to the hill in front of me, so I had to set my camera on self-timer, and then hold it above my head on the end of the tripod for the shot. It was a fun method, that I'm sure I'll use again.

The sunset lasted about 6 minutes and then it was quite dark.
coasties, red45, touristdidi, gerhardt, Callie, livios, Andrieux, luvsdogs3 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To andrebonavita: Filter for this shot?dsidwell 1 12-19 23:43
Too Dark? (To Netfalls & others)dsidwell 2 12-14 09:14
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • mamcg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 155 W: 14 N: 40] (2808)
  • [2004-12-13 21:35]

Amazing shot, yes I have desire to see such sunset in Americas and to see the fellow native Americans...

Wow, David. This is a fantastic shot. The colours are stunning. DO NOT apologise for anything. I think you have fulfilled your dream. You were in the right place at the exact right time. A pleasure to view. Wish I could give you more points. TFS.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2004-12-14 5:43]

Thanks for sharing this. I think this is superb photo with excellent, saturated colours. I love deep red transforming to black. Composition and clouds on BG are also stunning.

I find the idea very good, but it's much too dark. Can you send the tech. infos?

That is blood red, and feels like a real cowboy sunset!........ wow! Nice shot, all you need is a sombero, and some tequila! It feels like the law will ride up any minute on white horses to get the bad banditos!

Excellent !

I like very much experimental shots, and this is a good example. Nice composition and colours. Maybe we should bring some more of this kind, this is a stunning nature sight, and we have very few posts! Thanks for sharing.

Very interesting capture and composition, David. I agree no need to apologise for this shot. Well done. I think I might have cropped a little at the bottom. I would love to see a wide angle panoramic view of this beauty.

Hi David
Good to see ya on TN, & good to see such a beautiful sunset with your largest catus thrown in as well! I will try a WS, not because I do not like it, just to see if I can find some detail here in CS.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-17 11:29]

WOW this is stunning. I am glad that you are not apologizing for this shot as it is incredible.

Very well done and thanks for posting

Great sunset! This red view is natural or you used a filter to make this?

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2004-12-20 22:08]

David, simply perfect. Your note is a literary piece - it's funny, well written and it informs a lot. I'm sure it was worthwhile the effort and the fun.

The picture is amazing. Beautiful colors to show us this brief but, now, lasting moment.

And I agree with you: you don't need to apologize.

Lívio

AMAZING, i just dont have words...

  • Great 
  • Hisam Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 18 W: 1 N: 22] (215)
  • [2005-06-17 11:36]

i love this sunset good shot

hello:) I love this red colous:) it looks like burning:) great job:) great post:)

thx

Malgosia

Wow... what a beautiful shot. The colors are so vibrant in the sky and are even more striking with the dark black.
All I can say is ...amazing!
Thanks!

  • Great 
  • rimas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 155 W: 3 N: 610] (4273)
  • [2005-10-23 14:11]

Fantastic David! Looks like symbolical picture.
Great job!

wow, david, this is so...red! :-)
the sunset itself is stunning,
never seen such a red before,
but with the cactus together -
a really superb shot.
well seen & done, thor.

I was with David when he took this picture and can assure you the most remarkable part about it is the WAY he took it...

David had his camera mounted on a tripod with fully extended legs, but they were still folded together. After setting his self-timer he lifted and held the very BOTTOM of the tripod legs and extended camera and tripod as high as he could hold it above his head on fully extended arms. It was very precarious but he maintained a firm grip. He did that to get the best angle to frame the distance cactus.

I've never seen anyone do that before or since and I don't have the guts to try it myself. LOL!

Good and artistic job, David ! What a trial ...
I just love Arizona and these saguaro, the kings of cacti. That sunset is a good piece of the country, loks peaceful as I like.
Thanks for sharing,

Emma

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