Star Rays Effect in Photos

When a bright light source enters the frame when shooting, you can get an interesting effect with light rays. This effect is commonly called Star Effect.

Star rays effect

Star rays effect

This effect is very easy to obtain. Enough for this take a bright light source on a closed aperture... How much the aperture should be closed depends on the lens you are shooting with. Each lens has a specific F-number, from which pronounced effect with rays. For the most part, when using digital cameras that do not have a mechanical iris control device with aperture blades, the effect with rays will not work.

The effect is not always obtained

The effect is not always obtained

True, even if you catch a bright light source in the frame, then it does not necessarily have to turn into a star with outgoing rays. For example, in the photo above, the sun was photographed at a closed aperture of f / 22, but no star effect was obtained. It is in this case that the presence of clouds is to blame, which soften the harsh light. To be sure to get a pronounced starburst effect in your photo, you need to shoot bright light sources with so-called 'spot' or 'hard light'.

Star effect

Star effect

The example above shows a photograph with a pronounced effect of star rays from lanterns.

An interesting fact is that number of raysth emanating from light sources is equal to the number of lens aperture blades if the lens has a pair of them, and double aperture bladesif their unpaired quantity. For example, in the photo below, the sun has 14 rays of a star, while the photo was taken on the lens Tamron AF 17-50mm f / 2.8 XR Di II LD which has 7 aperture blades.

The rays of the star

The rays of the star

If the aperture on the lens is not closed, then this effect will not work, and a bright source in the frame may blur in the form of a bright sphere or a sphere with elongated 'tails'.

No star effect

No star effect

When creating such an effect, parasitic flare, glare, and sunbeams often appear in the frame. What unnecessary artifacts can be enhanced by using simple cheap protective filters.

Star effect

Star effect

Sometimes the effect with the rays is superfluous and should be avoided, since it does not convey the real atmosphere in the photo well. After all, the human eye does not see any rays, and when photographing they can turn out.

In this atmosphere, the effect of rays will be superfluous

In this atmosphere, the effect of rays will be superfluous

On sale you can find special Star Filters (filters to create a stellar effect), which greatly enhance the ability to receive rays in the frame. Using this filter, you can create a star with a strictly defined number of rays, their intensity and different types.

Sample Star Effect Photo

Sample Star Effect Photo

Conclusions

The effect of the rays of the star can be very easily obtained, sometimes it can give the photo its zest.

Like it. Thanks for attention. Arkady Shapoval.

Add a comment: Vadim

 

 

Comments: 31, on the topic: The effect of the rays of the star in photos

  • Vantoch

    The most beautiful and wide, not knitting, stars gives the old DX Sigma 30 1.4 already with F2.2 (further more)
    And people with cars and stars in one shot.

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