Into the Sun (with a surprise!)

[PapaJames]

I seem to have a fascination with the sun and clouds recently. The clouds today looked interesting, bu I'd have to shoot directly into the sun to capture the effect. So I stopped the shutter down to f/8 and bumped the shutter speed up to 1/3200 sec... and voila! Got it!

The surprise was the little private plane that flew into the frame next to the sun! I had no idea it was there until I started my post-processing. It shows up better on my Flickr site...

I tweaked the brightness and contrast a bit just to bring out more detail, and applied a warm filter. I mainly was after the cloud texture and I feel like I captured what I was looking for.

I'm pretty new at this and am using a Canon SX200 IS point-and-shoot. So far it's doing well for me, but the lure of a dslr is definitely there! I'm learning that no matter what camera one uses, the composition is what makes the photo.

East Hill - Kent, WA USA
February 15, 2010

[Mohamed Vajeeh]

Nice shot and interesting cloud formation.

[amitseo]

ITs a beautifull snap .i like this type of photos.

[doctorjames]

Nicely done. I think your last statement really sums it all up. Today I was asked by a colleague at work which camera they should get as they wanted to take better pictures. Composition and thought are by far and away a better investment than a new camera.

[Illinoisblue]

Lovely photo. I think I see the plane - or at least a black dot resembling a plane! - on the patch of cloud at the top right of where the sun is shining. Am I right?

[moon]

Great photo.Just had a look on your flickr pages.
You got an eye for this game for sure.

[jennymarie]

Nice shot! I like this alot. I am very intrigued by the sky as well.

[amotorkat]

Love that shot. I love cloud and sun shots as well. Im in Edmonds, just north of Seattle, and our clouds never look like that!

[looking4OPH]

Very dramatic!