M39 Sunset

© SMCH

This is a highly creative composition. The lake takes up about two third of the image, serving as a wide foreground that introduces limitless imagination. Tree twigs surround the both sides and upper part of the image; they stretch toward the center and create a “frame,” guiding the line of vision to the subject matter ─ two ducks at the ferry point as if they take the center stage under multiple spotlights. More interestingly, one duck is still and the other moving, avoiding the stiffness of having an even number of ducks. The sun in the sky and the ferry point’s silhouette below form a contrast of light and shadow, revealing a balance between the real and the unreal while maximizing the sense of dramatic tension. The charm and appeal make this image an excellent work.