How to get a starshaped sun

[peach1828]

I just found this thread today. Great tips, Alex! Can't wait to try this out. Hope the sun cooperates tomorrow!

[prince]

Alex, you have some great photos. I accidentally found what you said about start shaped sun while trying to get some sunset shots recently. Your tips just gave me a very good picture of how it should be done.

Thanks

PS. Am glad am not the only one who is disappointed with no replies

[mightymarce]

Thanks for the tip. Love the star effect on the sun.

[vaqko]

Awesome picture
If it was sunny in Switzerland at the moment I'd try it out.

[JodyGall]

WOW! That is very cool!!! I love it! I have to add that to my list of things to try! Thanks so much for sharing!

[Heidilyn]

Very nice! Thanks for the setting suggestions, I'll have to try that!

[cbolstad]

If anybody is interested, the "rays" of the star are caused by light reflecting off the edges of the diaphragm blades in the lens. If your lens has an odd number of blades (Nikon teles have 9) you get twice that number of rays (18). If your lens has an even number of blades, you get the same number of rays (Canon teles have 8 blades and produce 8 rays). Ken Rockwell has a chart on his site showing which lenses have how many blades so you can predict what your star will look like.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/sunstars.htm

Chris

[abn72ny]

very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[Mwilltn]

I like to shoot toward the sun for the interesting effects too. Some time if you just move your angle you can avoid the flaring problems



http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...illtn/Fern.jpg

[pentabase]

Hi people,

I also like to ignore the "don't take a photo towards the sun" advise. I really think the sun can contribute to your picture if you use it well.

i took this photo during my holiday in South-africa in august 2008. I really think the picture would have look dull when there wasn't a sun on it.