Sunspots? Is it a distraction?

[Peely22]

Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1613)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Hi,
although I love this shot, I can't help but be niggled by the sunspots.
Is there anything I could've done differently to minimise this?
Apart from shooting the other way!

[RichardTaylor]

When shooting:
Were you using a filter?
If yes then remove it as it may increase or cause the flare.

Were you using a lens hood?
Using one may help reduce flare.

Post processing:
You should be able to remove it in post processing.

I do like yor pic.

[barabe]

It is really hard to get rid of flare on a shot when shooting straight at the sun, as mentioned before, removal of all filters may help out a bit.
To me the bit of sun flare does not bother me at all, i love the shot.
One thing i would have done differently would have been to close up the aperture a bit to get more DOF( Your beautifull back ground is a bit blurry).

[klgarland]

beautiful shot

[Sistereinstein]

This really is a lovely photo - there is a touch of warmth in the middle of the frost bitten tundra.

I am learning about aperture and how it effects the sun. Perhaps f11 would have given the sun more definition (?)

[Sterling]

I really like this shot. Sort of looks like an atomic bomb has gone off in the distance.

[Drakeprimeone]

I love the shot, the way you phrased your question leads me to think the sun wasn't the focal point. The intensity does pull me there. I'd like to see what it would look like if it was toned down in post production. The way the light is coming off the water is awesome

[Peely22]

Cheers Drake,
I have merged a few exposures to get the shot right, without exagerating the HDR.
here is one on the middle bracket.

[Drakeprimeone]

very very nice

[Wylde007]

nice shot, personally i like the first one.

It's already been said but more DOF maybe is needed, f'11 or higher just experiment and use your preview screen on the back of the d90, magnify in to check sharpness all round and get used to using your cameras histogram.

looking at the photo i'm guessing waiting a few more minutes the sun would of went behind clouds and you may have taken the edge off the sun, i would of used a 2 stop ND filter lower shutter speed if that was the case, but i'm no such expert just learning.