Sun Stars and Diffraction (20)

Requirement

6 images

Purpose

To hone technique when shooting into the sun, especially to create sun star effect

Technical learning

Shooting into the sun - 5 types of dramatic or abstract images

(1) Shooting directly into sun - silhouettes

• Shooting into the sun creates sihouettes, i.e. the fore- and middle-ground is very dark, if not lacking in all detail on a clear day (see also Project 23)
• Methods to reduce contrast/ increase details include: (a) use a ND grad filter, and (b) bracket across the dynamic range of the scene and then blend in post production
• Silhouettes can be made more dramatic by using the sun (or moon) as the backdrop, but if this is the effect you want, bracket sufficiently (5 stops) to esnure the desired effect

'Super Moon', on 5 May 2012, as the
background for silhouettes
of figures on the hill

(2)  Shooting directly into sun - 'sun star' effect 

• 3 requirements: (a) clear sky, (b) wide angle lens - haze and cloud diffuse the effect and (c) small aperture

Sun star effect
Tim Shellbourne

(3) Shooting at reflection of the sun - a variant of silhouetting

• Easier to produce a sharply defined silhouette than shooting directly in sunlight, especially if using (a) a high viewpoint or (b) a telephoto lens for the object to fill the frame (or both)
• Light reflected from water is particularly effective, as it partially diffuses light (the more uneven the surface, the more diffusion occurs)

Silhouette using indirect light
Kern. Justin's Photostream

(4) Off-axis shot with horizon visible - lens flare

• Intentional use of mild flare to add mood
• Flare will be visible through the viewfinder
• It ocurs when non-image light does not pass (refract) directly along its intended path, but instead reflects internally on lens elements any number of times (back and forth) before finally reaching the sensor.

Creative use of lens flare
kirpi.it

• If unwanted, flare can be reduced, if not controlled, by the length of the lens hood or, as a last resort, changing the composition (i.e. reduce extent of back lighting)

(5) Off-axis shot where a dark background throws up the lit edges of the subject

• Use a dark background to rim light the edges of a near silhouette subject
• This reverses the orthdox view of 2D images, where the edges are dark and the tones on the subject much lighter, enabling the eye to see the detail

Rim lit cloud gives impact
to image
www.wallpapers-free.co.uk

Exercise instructions

• Pick a clear sunny day
• Wait for the sun to be relatively low in the sky
• Set up camera, without filters, low ISO, wide angle lens
• Shoot 6 images: 3 bracketed exposures each with (a) the widest and (b) smallest aperture
• Compare between series of shots the intensity of the sun star and tightness of the rays

Images and review

Molesey Boat Club, Summer 12

Used a fish eye lens (15mm)
to shoot this image of
the sun star and a pair
of oars at rest by the Thames

Used the tree to mask the
sun. Sun star is weak.
However, the gain is greater
detail in the rest of the image.