Here are 5 steps to help you create starbursts day or night.
1. Set your aperture as high as it can go (at least f18).
You can get the effect if your f-stop is open wider it just doesn’t have the same big starburst lines. Below is an example of a photo taken with a wider aperture and less of a starburst effect.
ISO 400, f11, ss 1/640
2. If shooting during the day time, partially block the sun with another object.
ISO 160, f18, ss 1/160
3. Cover your lens from the sun so you can get your settings correct.
Use your hand to shield the light (like you shield your eyes from the sun) that is pouring into your lens. Once you have your settings set then you can move your hand and let the light pour in.
ISO 320, f14, ss 1/80 (not sure why my aperture is at 14 and not 18)
4. Don’t point your camera directly at the sun as it could damage your eyes and/or your lens.
ISO 500, f32, ss 1/100
5. If shooting at night be sure to use a tripod since your shutter speed will be slower in order to get your photo properly exposed.
Or if you are like me and take your tripod to Tokyo Disneyland only to be told you aren’t allowed to use it, you can set your bookbag on some bushes as a make shift tripod. Disney has some very sturdy and level bushes :O)
ISO 250, f32, ss 25.0
ISO 320, f22, ss 0.5
Did you notice the pictures that had a closed up aperture (larger number) had the largest starburst effects!!!
Read more about fun ways to use light:
– Low light photography tips
– Secret to backlighting
– Finding light in unexpected places
Learn the EXACT techniques that I use everyday to photograph my kids. Stop feeling frustrated with your DSLR. Let me help you with this FREE webclass.
What an awesome tip – I definitely need to try this!
Thanks! Hope you will share your results :O)
Courtney I could spend hours reading your blog (sadly I have to get dressed for work). There is so much great info. Thank you.
I’m going to play with your starburst effect tips this week. Hopefully I’ll capture something that is share worthy :)
Oh, thanks Jill!! Darn work getting in the way :O) he he Good luck getting a starburst effect! Can’t wait to see what you get :O)
These are gorgeous. Thanks for the tips!
My pleasure :O)
Awesome tips :)
Thanks :O)
Oooh, this looks fun! Sorry for my recent absence. I think you know all that’s been going on with us, but hopefully this week will calm down a little!
I hope it does calm down for y’all! Let us know if you need anything!
I’ve always wondered how to do this. Thanks for the tips.
I’m just now reading this ;) Its almost a year ago, I love the night time tips!! Thanks!
Love the tips! I actually just figured this out on my own a few months ago, but this is a great refresher! (And I love the story about Tokyo Disneyland! haha.)
I tried this technique on Thursday night and I liked the result so much I entered it in your August contest… my first contest ever.
Yay! I’m glad you tried this and entered your photo!!!
I love reading your tips and instructions. You make things so clear and simple and I appreciate that you also show the camera setting. I have learned so much from you in the short time I’ve been following you. Thank you for all your help, ideas, creativity and love of photography!
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear that!
I love your posts. They are so helpful and you are so kind to spend the time to share your knowledge x
Thanks!
Hi Courtney,
That was a really useful tip. Thank you! I’m definitely going to experiment and play around with it.
Just my 2cents regarding pointing a camera towards a bright (sun)light source – just as much as it can damage the Retina of the eye, it can burn out the photo-sensors, causing color-shift or even dark pixels. The lens itself merely conducts the light, and won’t be affected.
Thanks!
love your site and all of your min-lessons!
Also, LOVE seeing Oki in your photos! We’re stationed there right now :)
Enjoy it! You will see lots of Oki pictures on this site. The first two years of the site we were in Oki. I miss it. Want to know some of my favorite photography places – Here is a post. These were taken by the Sea Wall by Transit Cafe and the field is by Taguchi Beach :) – http://clickitupanotch.com/2010/11/photography-location-ideas/
Great tips! What lens do you typically use to do this?
It depends on what I want to capture. I need to update my camera bag page but you can see some of my gear here – http://clickitupanotch.com/camera-bag/
I am using f29, iso 100, in aperture priority mode… With spot metering, and exposure compensation at -2.0.. Still the result is not satisfactory… what settings should i try? And what is going wrong in here?
With lower f, the camera is showing ‘too much bright’.. Pls help
I would put your exposure compensation at 0. That should help.
Thanks for all the info. I’m looking forward to the web class