I was able to capture an interesting sunset sequence at Point Sur, California. In this first image it was apparent that this was going to be a beautifully textured sunset with the multi-layered Cirrocumulus clouds above and the Altocumulus clouds below. Additionally the low thin shoreline fog was beginning to slightly develop, giving the area immediately along the shore a mystical softness. Point Sur is a light house, for more info go here.

Point Sur Sunset Stage 2
I wandered around the area trying to set up a classic "rule-of-thirds" composition using both horizontal and vertical positioning. Lots of times the issue is that there are just too many cool ways to shoot the image. So, I opted to shoot it a number of different ways, especially as time went on and colors shifted against the available light making the image more mysterious.
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Point Sur Sunset Stage 3
I'm shooting from about a mile away from Point Sur and was attempting to correctly gauge what the prime spot would be to capture the sun "spash" effect as it intersected with the horizon. Over the ocean it is a very beautiful effect if caught at exactly the right moment, but I suddenly realized that effect would be obfuscated by Point Sur itself so I needed to alter my shot composition setup.

Point Sur Sunset Stage 4
Running like a madman with my equipment bag, tripod and camera gear I scrambled to get in position on the right side of Point Sur to capture at least some of the horizon flare effect, and was able to get in position and set up, right in the nick of time! What I like about this shot is the way the sun rays on the right side are stopped by the sand dune on the shoreline. You can see it slightly glow along the top edge of the dune as it casts a shadow across the pasture.
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Point Sur Sunset Stage Cows
Then backing out the frame I noticied I had company... these guys had been somewhat following me around while I was doing this... they must have thought I was crazy! LOL...
Wow, what a view they have every day.

An addendum to this post... in the comments below @sulev had a good suggestion of a particular angle I could have shot and I agreed, though I did not have that particular shot I did have one somewhat similar in concept. Here you go:

Point Sur Sunset Stage Cows II
To see a larger version of it go here

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