Pine Sunset

Going to be a difficult one because you already like it, and that is all that matters p. For me, the flare is not ideal. It reduces contrast and there are two fkare spots. Better to have the sun behind the tree giving back light rather than glare. Paul

Going to be a difficult one because you already like it, and that is all that matters p. For me, the flare is not ideal. It reduces contrast and there are two fkare spots.

Better to have the sun behind the tree giving back light rather than glare.

Paul

Thanks for the ideas Paul. Back lighting exposures are difficult but I think I should try some too.

Thanks for the ideas Paul. Back lighting exposures are difficult but I think I should try some too.

Thanks dudler the mod you sent is more like the original image and i can see why it is better in making the shadows lighter it reduces the richness of the color and pulls attention away from the subject. As for the flares since they are original rather than added by software, removing them would not be easy, unless you know of a method or tool for that?

Thanks dudler the mod you sent is more like the original image and i can see why it is better in making the shadows lighter it reduces the richness of the color and pulls attention away from the subject. As for the flares since they are original rather than added by software, removing them would not be easy, unless you know of a method or tool for that?

Hello, Stuart, and welcome from me too. Photographers are usually taught to keep the sun behind them, but we all learn that some dramatic effects can be achieved by shooting into the sun, especially when used as backlighting. Even at sunset and sunrise, we are taught to keep the sun out of the frame, but I have seen some very successful landscapes with the sun like a star on the horizon. There are good reasons for avoiding the sun. For one thing, you're likely to experience lens flare (as here), which a lot of people feel spoils a shot. You may also experience burnt out areas. It's very much a matter of preference. Here you have faced the sun full-on and included the flare as an element that pleases you. So that's fine. However, it does reduce your image's contrast, as the highlights from the sun overpower the image and reduce its dynamic range. This will just make your picture look washed out and lacking vibrant colours. So a bit of post-processing is required. You won't be seeking to remove the flare, just to enhance the contrast. You did realise this and have done a bit of work on it already. The question is - was the flare accidental or intentional? Some use it to add a little romanticism, mystery and warmth to their work. I think it's important for you to know why it happens and, if necessary, how to avoid it. Flare is caused by direct light entering the lens, which then bounces around the glass elements. It's easier to get flare with less expensive lenses. You can use a lens hood to try to avoid the flare, or a polarizing filter. But the best way is to avoid the sun being in your shot, hiding it behind a tree, or having some cloud cover it. The trouble is that viewers don't know if it's accidental or intentional, they just know if they like the effect or not. The positioning of the largest circle is good, it gives a balance. It does, however, draw the eye away from your attractive pine tree on the left. It becomes the main important element. I look forward to seeing what else you can offer us. Pamela.

Hello, Stuart, and welcome from me too.

Photographers are usually taught to keep the sun behind them, but we all learn that some dramatic effects can be achieved by shooting into the sun, especially when used as backlighting.
Even at sunset and sunrise, we are taught to keep the sun out of the frame, but I have seen some very successful landscapes with the sun like a star on the horizon.

There are good reasons for avoiding the sun. For one thing, you're likely to experience lens flare (as here), which a lot of people feel spoils a shot. You may also experience burnt out areas.

It's very much a matter of preference.
Here you have faced the sun full-on and included the flare as an element that pleases you. So that's fine.
However, it does reduce your image's contrast, as the highlights from the sun overpower the image and reduce its dynamic range. This will just make your picture look washed out and lacking vibrant colours. So a bit of post-processing is required. You won't be seeking to remove the flare, just to enhance the contrast.
You did realise this and have done a bit of work on it already.

The question is - was the flare accidental or intentional?
Some use it to add a little romanticism, mystery and warmth to their work.
I think it's important for you to know why it happens and, if necessary, how to avoid it.
Flare is caused by direct light entering the lens, which then bounces around the glass elements. It's easier to get flare with less expensive lenses.
You can use a lens hood to try to avoid the flare, or a polarizing filter. But the best way is to avoid the sun being in your shot, hiding it behind a tree, or having some cloud cover it.

The trouble is that viewers don't know if it's accidental or intentional, they just know if they like the effect or not.
The positioning of the largest circle is good, it gives a balance. It does, however, draw the eye away from your attractive pine tree on the left. It becomes the main important element.

I look forward to seeing what else you can offer us.

Pamela.

I removed the small secondary spot on the left - that was a very simple cloning job. I wasn't suggesting any action on the main part, because that looks pretty good - but the small streak against the blue sky was far less attractive!

I removed the small secondary spot on the left - that was a very simple cloning job. I wasn't suggesting any action on the main part, because that looks pretty good - but the small streak against the blue sky was far less attractive!

There have been a few very winning fog images on here using a sun flare through branches and mist. I keep this in mind as an opportunity still waiting to be grasped. Is that a person in the field? Also there are a few white on black items that may be blooms in the lower right frame area. I'm guessing your subject here is the diagonal flare from blue sky down through the tree to the lower right. Showing that in a clear and strong way is VERY difficult. Interesting image but, like my aims, just a step towards a stronger more dramatic image to come. TG

There have been a few very winning fog images on here using a sun flare through branches and mist. I keep this in mind as an opportunity still waiting to be grasped.
Is that a person in the field? Also there are a few white on black items that may be blooms in the lower right frame area. I'm guessing your subject here is the diagonal flare from blue sky down through the tree to the lower right. Showing that in a clear and strong way is VERY difficult. Interesting image but, like my aims, just a step towards a stronger more dramatic image to come. TG

Thanks for the ideas everyone, you have given me some ideas on how to improve.

Thanks for the ideas everyone, you have given me some ideas on how to improve.