Finially found something worth shooting...

[abinok]

Ive got a higher resolution pic if you want it... its almost a meg, might look a little better on the desktop.
My photohosting site won't support the bigger pics.

[youarenotcrazy]

Thanks, but this works just great. I haven't seen the sunset in about 3 weeks here in Michigan, I guess we're way overdue on our "clear skies" bill.

[Buffalobob]

ABINOK

I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about the wildfires in Oklahoma. I remember my grandmother telling me that during the dust bowl days she could tell by the sunsets in Alabama when there was a big dust storm in Oklahima because of the red sunsets.

Does the color in your pictures come from the smoke particles?

[Ian M]

Abinok,
Nice images, the rule of thirds is important for sunsets and sunrises. Your bottom image is a good example. With 35mm SLR's we can manipulate the aperture to influence colors - make an early sunset look like a late one. When I was shooting a lot of 35 I used to catch a lot of sunsets and sunrises, usually with a huge whitetail buck in the picture somewhere. Made me a bunch of magazine covers and they are actually pretty simple images to create if you work at your setups and baiting - and have some big bucks around.

Some of the best colors occur several minutes before the sun breaks the horizon and up to six or seven minutes after. Really like the evening sky after a storm, makes for some of the most incredible sunsets. Also get some incredible light in the east as the sunset takes place, every one is a special gift. Thanks for sharing.

[abinok]

buffalo bob,
If we don't get some rain soon, you may be able to see the "dust bowl" effect for yourself. A lengthy drought, and no rain in sight are only going to contribute to the 50,000+ acres already burned. There was a fire to the southwest the day before this pic was shot, but I don't think it had much effect as far as the colors go. The purples and vibrant pinks are pretty typical for around here.
When the spring and its thunderstorms arrive (hopefully) ill be shooting some more. The rain bands coming across the valley can be stunning. If i can just figure out all the functions on this camera, it ought to be prety cool.
Thanks for the kind words everybody!

[POP]

Good job! They are trophies as far as I am concerned!