I have recently posted a few shots where the sun looks rather like a star. A few people have asked me what filter I have used, either on camera or in processing, so I thought I’d take a post to explain a simple piece of aperture know-how. The sunburst/starburst effect is simply what you get when shooting small points of bright light using f16. No processing, or special filters required.
It works with man-made light as well as the sun. Look at this detail from the London night scape. All the lights have that ‘twinkle’. And, yes, the photograph was taken at f16.
The exact appearance of the burst will vary from lens to lens. My 16-35mm does a particularly nice job, but even the cheapest of kit lenses will do. The London shot was taken in 2009 using the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my very first digital camera, a Canon 400D, and the shot of the Statue of Liberty below was taken using my Fuji X-E1’s kit lens.
Sometimes you can achieve this effect with wider apertures, f14 or even f11 but, to be sure of it, stop that aperture down to f16 or smaller. It only works really well with small points of light. The trick, if you want to achieve this effect with the sun, is to capture it partly eclipsed by an object, the horizon or, as here (taken using yet another lens, my 24-105mm), a tree.
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Reblogged this on Information Blast!! thanks Joe.
Great post. I learned this trick recently when I did my first night photography shoot. Some of those images can be seen on my blog. 🙂
I had no idea how to attempt this. I’m looking forward to having a go. I love the starburst effect.
You are so helpful with your photo info. Thanks for another instructive (and beautiful) post.
Great shots. Very nice explanation, too!
Thanks for your willingness to share. I’ll be searching for starburst opportunities!
Great info. Thanks for sharing. I get so carried away shooting wide open that I have almost forgotten f/16. Will give it a try.
Merci pour ces explications 😛
très belle série ♥
A lovely set of examples here Rachael…those trees are glorious. Great idea to share the technique.
superb photoset…I love the first photo the best…beautiful
I adore the last image, just beautiful
I’m ever star-struck by your work, Rachael. 🙂 I especially love images 1, 4 and 5.
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Thank you so much for your help, great post!!!
Wonderful
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Enjoyed it! Didn’t know about the magic f16, I’ve been playing with the sun and autumn leaves a lot lately, so I’ll try it some more on today’s wander.
Thanks, Goat! Going to pop over to your blog now and see what you came up with!
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Thank you! It’s excellent that you’re sharing your knowledge on your photography. So handy. Really want to try this out.
Thanks, Jaina. Can’t think of any reason not to share!
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