The Scene: Set within the Garden of the Gods in Illinois, this wide-angle composition features a dramatic sunset filtered through a heavy, textured cloud layer. A brilliant sunstar sits just above the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the rolling canopy of the Shawnee National Forest. The mid-ground is dominated by ancient, weathered sandstone formations that emerge from the greenery, their jagged textures emphasized by the side-lighting. The sky occupies the upper two-thirds of the frame, showcasing a gradient from fiery orange to cool, moody purples and blues.
 
Artistic Note: The technical execution of the sunstar adds a "signature" element to the piece, acting as a secondary focal point that balances the heavy rock formations on the right. There is a beautiful tension between the permanence of the stone and the rapid, shifting light of the "golden hour." The HDR editing allows for a high level of detail in the shadows of the forest floor, ensuring that the lushness of the Illinois wilderness is fully realized without sacrificing the highlights in the sun's core. It captures a sense of quiet majesty, positioning the viewer on the edge of a prehistoric world.
 
2:3 Aspect Ratio