Our first photo challenge is..... SUN STARS!
Sun stars are a photographic phenomenon that occur when shooting a scene with the sun in it at a small aperture like f/16.0 - f/22.0. This causes the light from the sun to diffract and cause it to appear like a pointed star in the image.
Typically when you shoot a scene with the sun in it at wider apertures you get a glowing ball of light in your scene.
Canon 6D + 24-105mm f/4 @ 24mm, ISO 400, 1/3200, f/5.6
Glowing Ball of Light
Canon 6D + 24-105mm f/4 @ 24mm, ISO 400, 1/3200, f/5.6
Beginnings of a Sun star
As you use a smaller aperture the light begins to diffract when it enters the camera and creates a pointed star in your image. The smaller the aperture the sharper the star effect. The number of points on the star is determined by the number of blades in your lens. If you have an even number of blades then points on your star equals number of blades in your camera. If you have an odd number of blades then points on your star equals number of blades in your camera times two.
I don't have any great example photos of Sun stars that I have taken myself as this will be my first time attempting it as well so I will provide links below to more information on how to achieve Sun stars along with great example photos of what we are after in this challenge.
The Challenge
To capture an image with a sun star. That's it. It's that simple. Or is it? We will find out when we gather our submissions and see how we did.
Start Date: March 12th 2018 - March 26th 2018 :End Date
- Try a range of small apertures f/16.0 - f/22.0 to see how it changes the sharpness of the sun star
- Try partially blocking the sun with something in the frame
- Try at different times of day
- If you have different lenses, try them to see the different results (the number of points on the star will depend on the blades in your lens.)
- Try boosting your ISO when using a small aperture so that you get a shutter speed fast enough to hand hold the camera. Unless you are using a tripod.... then use a tripod.
Add your own creative twist and experiment.
P.S. Don't point your camera or eyes directly at the sun. It's not good for your camera and it's not good for you. Mirrorless and point and shoot users be extra careful as your sensor is always exposed. As mentioned in the different links below, shooting when the sun is lower in the sky should give better results.
Have fun!
Send your submissions to infiniteinspiration.ca@gmail.com with the Subject line "Sun Stars - First and Last Name". Please include the settings for your photo so we can all learn together. 3 Images Maximum for this challenge.
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