Last light

“This picture is so typical of Sutherland in winter. When it’s this cold and the sky is open, the stars really pop. That’s when it’s wonderful to light a big fire. This is a piece of heaven for us in South Africa.”

This is a remarkable picture, especially from a technical point of view. There are two light sources: the fire and the sunset. Balancing these two in one photo isn’t easy, especially with a camera when you have to select the settings yourself. This is a good example of how well cellphone light meters handle tricky lighting conditions. And then you even see a star or two as well as the hot embers of the fire as they fly up.

The photo consists of two parts: the fire and the background. Together they make a lovely image. The fire’s flames licking upward draw your attention to the top of the pic, where you spot the clear outlines of the water tank and windpump. The curved night sky then brings your attention back to the photo.