Star Effect in Night Shots

[cykic]

Hi, any bros know how to create the star effect for the lights in night shots, without filtering effect?
Thanks.

[yanyewkay]

use small aperture with long exposure. they are called diffraction spikes. the number of spikes is related to the number of aperture blades.

[cykic]

Originally Posted by yanyewkay use small aperture with long exposure. they are called diffraction spikes. the number of spikes is related to the number of aperture blades.

Wow... thanks.
What would be a recommended aperture / shutter setting to create the effect?

[Redsun]

F8,F11 and above?
this was done at F18 IIRC

[Rashkae]

why are you cross-posting?

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=316402

[Cheesecake]

jus attach a star filter.

or shoot in very small apertures like f16 n up.

[cykic]

Originally Posted by Rashkae why are you cross-posting? http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=316402

Din really know where is the best place to post. The thread here was intended for the technique in general, w/o the use of pp or filters. The other thread welcomes comments more on related pp and filtering techniques, if applicable.

I have closed the other thread...

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by Cheesecake jus attach a star filter. or shoot in very small apertures like f16 n up.

IMO star filter effects are not as attractive as those shot without them. In other words, they looked fake.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle IMO star filter effects are not as attractive as those shot without them. In other words, they looked fake.

yes, and very retro

in any case, stopping down will give you your star effect, the smaller the aperture, the more pronounced the effect

note that this will only work for POINT SOURCES of light
i.e. neon lights will not have starburst effect

you can do this during the daytime given the correct tools and approach to capture the sun as a starburst

or the moon even, if the night sky is clear enough, hope this helps, cheers

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle IMO star filter effects are not as attractive as those shot without them. In other words, they looked fake.

not entirely correct. depends on how u use the filter and under what circumstances.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by night86mare yes, and very retro in any case, stopping down will give you your star effect, the smaller the aperture, the more pronounced the effect note that this will only work for POINT SOURCES of light i.e. neon lights will not have starburst effect you can do this during the daytime given the correct tools and approach to capture the sun as a starburst or the moon even, if the night sky is clear enough, hope this helps, cheers

Yupz true.....initially when i first started out night photography with a DSLR i thought the star effects are done using a filter until one fine day i finally found out how to do it.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by Cheesecake not entirely correct. depends on how u use the filter and under what circumstances.

I've tried out these filters several times and i really don't fancy the results.

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle I've tried out these filters several times and i really don't fancy the results.

u need to use them appropriately.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by Cheesecake not entirely correct. depends on how u use the filter and under what circumstances.

can look ok la

but if you shoot landscapes, normally looks quite bad

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by night86mare can look ok la but if you shoot landscapes, normally looks quite bad

if u're referring to the pic quality?

the BRAND of the filter plays a part.


the more filter u stack, the lousier the quality.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by Cheesecake if u're referring to the pic quality? the BRAND of the filter plays a part. the more filter u stack, the lousier the quality.

no, not iq

maybe i have not seen any star filter shots in landscape where the effect works
but if you could direct me somewhere where i could view, i'd be glad =)

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by Cheesecake u need to use them appropriately.

Nah, to me these filters are of no use to me. Best is to shoot them without the filter, let the small aperture and exposure time create the effect.

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by night86mare no, not iq maybe i have not seen any star filter shots in landscape where the effect works but if you could direct me somewhere where i could view, i'd be glad =)

not much on star filter but i did a few such fotos. let me search and upload and we can haf a discussion.

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle Nah, to me these filters are of no use to me. Best is to shoot them without the filter, let the small aperture and exposure time create the effect.

yup, tat is one way. sometimes using the sun as a subject matter or even at weddings...


the star filter can be pretty handy.

[Cheesecake]

which is shot with star filter?