lighting and long exposure

[McLoki]

Quick question - even if the explanation for it isn't... When taking long exposures, is it common to get effects like a star filter would give you?

Explanation - I recently purchased a used (and extremely inexpensive) camera that I am still learning. The camera is a Canon Powershot S5 is. As part of trying it out - I took a picture of our christmas tree. (all lighting is coming from the tree - about 2600 LED lights). The exposure was about 13 seconds... (F8, ISO 80) Most of the lights near the camera have a star effect around them...

Is that from the long exposure, something with the camera or something that happened while taking the picture?

Here is the pic I am talking about




Thank you for any help or insight you can give...

Michael

[gs.davies]

Hi Michael, cool tree!

The star effect comes from smaller apertures. Try it at F22 and then see what it looks like - you'll see much more pronounced star effects. If you squint your eyes at the lights, it causes this effect too.

Wider apertures will reduce it but will also make your depth of field shallower and possibly make for softer images.

I'm quite keen on the star effect myself..

GD.

[OsmosisStudios]

As mentioned, it's an aperture issue. If your lens has straight aperture blades, you get the star effects: it's often seen as a good thing.

Your S5is probably doesnt go past f/8, but if you dont like it you can try using a larger aperture. You'll get more of a glow.

[McLoki]

Thank you for the answers - that is exactly what I was looking for. I do like the effect, but was not sure what had caused it.

(in this case luck)

Thank you very much for your help.

Michael