Practical Photography
Three quick tips for great starburst effects in your photo
Add a punch to your photo with that lens flare effect
TL;DR;
Three practical tips for getting that sunburst effect in to you landscape photography
1. Timing
When shooting landscapes, especially when shooting the “last/first rays
of the day” timing and equipment selection is critical. Below are 3 photos I shot above the clouds on the picturesque island of La Palma, for my coffee table book, each only 2 minutes apart:
The sequence was, at the time, unintended, but now it makes a good illustration of one of the challenges when shooting these kind of photos. Finding the spot, waiting for the right moment.
💡 Thinking that you can get a lot of these kind of photos with different locations in a day… well think again. 😀 Plan ahead and be ready.
2. Location, Location, Location
Depending on you location setting up or packing up can be a challenge. Are you facing east? Well shooting sunrises means you are setting up in the dark and leaving when there is light to find your way back. Scouting ahead and knowing where to go is well invested time. Save your GPS location for finding your way back.
Facing west? Fortunately, you get to see where you are going and can set up without tripping over (too much). Heading back with a tripod and heavy camera gear in the pitch black is another story though (Bring a flashlight).
3. Choose your lens — It will influence the sunburst effect
The photo above was shot with a the Canon EF 16–35 f/2.8 II USM, it consists of 7 diaphragm blades, yielding 14 rays.
Photo Physics 101
An even number of arperture blades will give you an image with the same amount of rays as blades, but for an odd number, the rays are doubled. The actual shape of the aperture blade will influence the rays as well.
💡 For a clearer and more distinct “flare” or sunburst, chose a lens with an even number of blades.
Using the wonderful piece of glass Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM (that has 8 blades) yielded the photo below of Stockholm City hall
💡To get a more accentuated sunburst effect, the aperture of the lens also needs to be stepped down a fair amount. Aim for at least f/12. This image above was shot at f/16.
A cleaner sun/starburst with fewer diaphragm blades, a even number of eight bladed resulting in eight rays.
📷Happy shooting!
