Questions tagged [sunlight]

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How to achieve a "hazed" look with fine gradients in bright sunlight?

I am planning on visiting a desert country in a few weeks, and naturally take a few pictures there. While browsing Instagram and the internet in general, I stumbled across photos which (at least to my ...
pat3d3r's user avatar
  • 121
1 vote
2 answers
421 views

Is this a good rule to know when I can shoot the sun? "if the sun is not too bright to look at with naked eye, then it's not too bright for a DSLR" [duplicate]

Most of what I have read about this, say that whether or not the sun is bright enough to harm the DSLR, depends on a lot of factors e.g. time of day, cloud cover etc. What setting aperture, shutter ...
silverrahul's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
143 views

Why does this particular lens produce sunstars with long spokes?

This image was shot with a Sony E 20mm f/2.8 on a Sony a7. The lens is intended for an APS-C sensor, but I removed a baffle to shoot on the full-frame body. I understand the basic physics of ...
Dan Hicks's user avatar
  • 143
12 votes
4 answers
416 views

multi-strobe-like motion blur outdoors?

This photo (cropped here) appears on p. 48 of the October 2020 issue of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Sport Aviation magazine. The upper blade of the propeller shows the motion blur that is ...
Camille Goudeseune's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
94 views

What to look out for when shooting in direct sunlight, causing hard shadows and shiny patches on water?

I am aware that this question might be labelled as off-topic, but the issue bothers for some days now, and I figured my best bet to get an answer is here on this site. Whenever I look at pictures I ...
pat3d3r's user avatar
  • 121
0 votes
2 answers
227 views

Brightest Portable Speedlight

I am working on a custom build, where I will be using 2 speedlights attached to each side of the camera to take closeup shots (1-2m away from the subject). For the photos, I will be using a 28mm fixed ...
Joseph Azzam's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
476 views

Can it damage eyes and camera when taking photo from Nikon Coolpix B500 during 90-95% solar eclipse?

I'm thinking to take a picture after 2 hours. I don't have any filters and eclipse glasses. All I have a point and shoot camera (Nikon B500 with around 40X zoom). So if I use full zoom, and don't ...
Vikas's user avatar
  • 424
-1 votes
1 answer
89 views

Will a bigger sensor and faster lens help me get sufficient light from my LED source?

I am currently using the Panasonic G7 and finding that the lighting is not sufficient despite using LED light. The setting is a corner apartment with a lot of sunlight in the backdrop. Debating to ...
NeilV's user avatar
  • 1
13 votes
3 answers
8k views

How do I get softer pictures in sunlight, like in this commercial?

I saw an advertisement on TV and was very impressed by the videography in direct sunlight (the setting was a beach). Here is a link to the advertisement. Two photos from the ad are shown below. As you ...
Skeleton Bow's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
69 views

Best lighting management under a strong sunny sky with limited gear

I'll be developing a documentary photo and video project on farming communities which live +3000 meters above sea level, based mostly on portraits and images of everyday life. At that elevation, the ...
Lisan's user avatar
  • 429
4 votes
4 answers
507 views

Is knowing the Sun color temperature enough to get the right white balance?

Assuming the picture is taken at sea level, in direct sunlight (no shadow) under a cloudless sky, and knowing the latitude, day and hour, I can in principle determine the color temperature of sunlight ...
Skippy le Grand Gourou's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
600 views

Images taken in sunset at 7pm (with back toward the sun) make skin appear orange

Sorry for the stupid question. I take pictures/videos with both (1) iPhone 8 and (2) Sony DSC-WX350. I notice that when images are taken during sunset at 7pm with my back toward the sun (i.e. facing ...
gene b.'s user avatar
  • 113
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is causing the white spot to appear in some of my pictures

What is causing the white shape in the picture and the white streak on the right hand side of the picture. I think that it has something to do with the lens because when I zoom in the the white image ...
Doug Steele's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Antelope Canyon Sunbeams - when are they visible?

I'm planning a trip this summer to Upper Antelope canyon and I've wondered the question about when the sunbeams at Upper Antelope Canyon are visible. It would be terrible to go all the way there and ...
Joe's user avatar
  • 181
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the best way to preserve chlorophyll anthotypes?

I'm working on a 19th century photographic process called Anthotype. It basically involves using plant juices that fade when exposed to sunlight. For my light sensitive juice I've choosen concentrated ...
coldSunday's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
481 views

Timelapse color flickering

I've tried to shoot the red line of sunrise along the sea and I've done that from under a very low bridge with the penumbra, so I' ve captured some portions of the sand and palm trees too. I tried it ...
Cristian's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
66 views

Easiest way to make a 1x1 foot surface permanently not (or less) reflective? matt spray, matt vinyl or else?

I am taking pictures with a drone and I need ground control points (such as this) for rectifying the images. I used standard vinyl to make the checkerboard pattern. It is terrible. It is reflecting ...
Millemila's user avatar
  • 101
5 votes
1 answer
256 views

How do I plan for the lighting for landscape photography?

When I plan a landscape photography, I use tools like Google Earth so to get an idea of the place I want to shoot; TPE and PhotoPills in order to see the direction of the sun, looking for a frontal or ...
Tony Caragnulo's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
242 views

Does time lapse of the sun damage the auto-focus sensors or components of a DSLR?

This question is not about the main imaging sensor, but about the autofocus sensors and circuits on a DSLR. I read that sunlight may damage the shutter or the main sensor. But when using the DSLR, ...
jackxujh's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Would stacking thinner ND filters perform as well as one greater ND filter?

If I stacked a Vivitar ND8 and ND2 filter, would they function as well as an ND16? Would this work for solar photography, or would a piece of welding glass be better? Edit: I also have an ND4 if that ...
J Kelly's user avatar
  • 33
0 votes
3 answers
3k views

What is the origin of the hexagonal artifact of direct sunlight/spotlight photos?

Sometimes direct sunlight or spotlight appears hexagonal on photos/videos. What is the origin of this artifact? (source)
Sparkler's user avatar
  • 181
3 votes
7 answers
17k views

Can I use high ISO film in bright light (without problems)?

I've never messed around with film that's much different from the consumer standard of about ISO 200-400. I switched to digital around 2004 and not until the recent years I've been wanting to ...
MichaelAH's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Visible sun beams - what are the conditions for them to appear?

I am sure everyone seen at least once the sun beams live, or in a photo. Here is the example (although it's my work, no advertisement intended): Recently, while driving I have seen similar sun beams ...
Alexey Malev's user avatar
2 votes
5 answers
1k views

Lens for beach and portrait photography

I own a Nikon D3300, which I bought along with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. I am a complete newbie and until now I've been shooting in auto mode. Recently I learned about Aperture, Shutter speed and ISO ...
Zerotoinfinity's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
15k views

Can the sun damage the sensor on a mirrorless camera?

I'm researching a good technique for taking pics of the upcoming solar eclipse and I want to use my Sony NEX-6 mirrorless camera. I found this question here from 2010 but no one brings up mirrorless ...
Dan Mantyla's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
3k views

How does wearing sunglasses affect taking photos?

If its a nice sunny day, I want to get out and about with my camera. But I also want to wear sunglasses. So does wearing dark sunglasses affect taking photos? How do you judge the correct exposure if ...
vclaw's user avatar
  • 1,674
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the problem if sun is behind me? What does that signify? Where should the sun be when I take photos?

In the question Why do breathtaking views turn into “boring” photos, and how can I do better? I read: The sun was directly behind you, just like it used to say on the old Kodak info sheets that ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
182 views

How do I get this sun-flare from behind my shoulder?

I got out of the car to take a landscape picture with my ipad-mini-2. HDR was on. Afterwards, I hit auto-enhance and cropped it. Surprise, the sun photo-bombed my shot! I didn't plan that when I took ...
Skotty's user avatar
  • 13
2 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is it possible to overpower the sun with a single speedlight and softbox?

I want to overpower the sun, but due to my budget, I couldn't get a monolight. I have to make do with the Nissin Di700A I bought. When the flash is near the subject and faces the subject straight on, ...
Chris 's user avatar
  • 243
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How to get a halo of light effect?

I would like to know how to make this effect, and also if it is posible to get it with an iPhone 5s. Thank you. (it's from someone else)
Andrea's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
1 answer
223 views

Is it possible this is sunlight?

Is this sunlight on his right shoulder? It doesn't seem like the angle is correct for this light to be sunlight.
Patrick's user avatar
  • 11
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

What does an image from sun-damaged sensor actually look like?

There is obviously a great concern on the Net about getting ones image sensor sun damaged. I am getting interested in what such damage would look like. I have Googled around some to try to find an ...
Wirewrap's user avatar
  • 900
5 votes
2 answers
482 views

Are there industry standards or specs for image sensor resistance to damage from intense light?

While the occasional snapshot that includes the sun is generally safe, there are certainly combinations of lens and duration that can damage an image sensor if the sun or other sufficiently bright ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 1,817
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Capturing vibrant colors on a bright, sunny day

Recently I was on a vacation trip at Phi Phi Island with my Nikon D5300 and a simplistic 18-55 NIKKOR kit lens. I was sailing on a cruise. It was a bright, in fact very bright, sun outside. On a boat, ...
sherlock's user avatar
  • 683
4 votes
5 answers
13k views

Is there any app to show sun position and possibly also angle for particular times?

I was invited to shoot an particular event outdoors. Is there any tool which could help me to avoid backlight? I searched the web and found apps like Photoephemeris, Suncalc etc. but none of them ...
Juhele's user avatar
  • 1,407
9 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to capture the sun rays falling inside a forest?

How to capture the sun rays falling inside a forest and light passing through a window. Even though they are visible to our naked eyes they seems tough to be captured with DSLR. I read snow and dust ...
vishnu's user avatar
  • 243
1 vote
5 answers
622 views

How to make a shot when light comes from outside and subject is moving (Cannot use HDR)

Please take a look at the picture below from Adrian C. Murray: Here subject is bright and light is coming from window. I cannot use HDR to take this shot as my ...
Alireza's user avatar
  • 421
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to adjust exposure for both the sky and the landscape?

I am using Canon 600D. I am facing a problem in composing, where I will be taking pics at mid day with full of sunlight, half of my frame filled with with sky and other half any scenery (may be a ...
Pavan's user avatar
  • 203
3 votes
4 answers
7k views

Any PC or web applications similar to PhotoPills?

Is there any PC or web applications similar to PhotoPills to calculate golden hour and twilight?
Omne's user avatar
  • 2,193
1 vote
2 answers
423 views

How can I improve a landscape photo with deep shadows in post-production?

This is a photo that I've taken in Ani, near Armenia: The problem of this photo is that there are many shadows, particularly on gorge, and highlights near the horizon, on the right side. The weather ...
apt45's user avatar
  • 119
1 vote
5 answers
13k views

How can I shoot with a fast aperture in sunlight? [duplicate]

I have Nikon D7000 with 50 mm lens and like to shoot my family with 1.8 aperture. But, in sunlight it looks so bright. I am a beginner and had try to increase the shutter speed in manual but it's ...
Mohammed Usama's user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
6k views

I tried to use the "Sunny 16 rule" but it didn't work, why?

In a sunny day, I tried to apply the Sunny 16 rule to the following scene: f/16, ISO 100, Shutter Speed: 1/100 and ended up with a dark image. Then I tried another shot with another settings which ...
B Faley's user avatar
  • 793
7 votes
9 answers
2k views

How do I accurately capture the colour of sunlight on a wall?

I found a brilliant yellow area of sunlight on my wall, and I wanted to capture this color. I took a photo with auto WB, on my NEX-5R: The sunlight in this photo isn't yellow enough, so I switched ...
Kartick Vaddadi's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can studio light be as good as sunlight?

I am currently digitalizing some family albums. I was told the best source of light is daylight, so I've been using that as a light source. However, this restricts me to specific hours of the day, ...
Joachim's user avatar
  • 203
5 votes
2 answers
11k views

How can I make sun beams more visible in post-processing?

First of all, I would like to apologize for anything stupid or naive I would write because I am new to RAW post-processing and photography. During my vacations, I took the following picture (in RAW) :...
pitchounet's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
459 views

Can using a reflector or external flash soften harsh natural light, or just fill in shadows?

My question is much related to harsh light in natural light conditions. Suppose I am taking photos of a model 3/4. I know that when shooting during midday, when the sun is very vivid, because of its ...
Morpho's user avatar
  • 867
5 votes
4 answers
5k views

Why and when to use a lens hood?

I'm pretty new to photography. I'm just wondering if I need a sunshade, and what the benefits of having one are. Also, when would I really need to use it? I typically take landscape photographs. I'...
derelict's user avatar
  • 153
8 votes
2 answers
5k views

Is there a way to determine if photo was taken at sunrise or sunset? [duplicate]

When I look at photos of sunrise respectively sunset and do not know the cardinal direction I'm not able to identify if this photo was taken on sunrise or sunset. So I ask myself the question is there ...
Micha's user avatar
  • 993
0 votes
1 answer
560 views

Will an ND filter lower flash output more than high speed sync?

I understand that both can allow for bigger apertures to be used in bright daylight but I am a little confused about the pros and cons. Will high speed sync lower your flash output more compared to ...
KevinL's user avatar
  • 1
3 votes
2 answers
497 views

What flash guide number do I need to underexpose a "sunny" background?

I'm familiar with the maths behind flash usage (guide numbers, etc.). Here's a more practical question that doesn't yet seem to have an answer on photo.se: Consider a subject, outdoors, on a regular "...
Nils L's user avatar
  • 133