Thursday, February 14, 2013

Shooting Into the Sun

I think there's a basic photography premise about always trying to keep the sun to your back. So guess I'm breaking the rules with these photos. I'm finding some of my favorite photos are taken shooting directly into the sun, providing back-lighting and interesting sun flares.

One of my favorite walks when we're in the desert is right out our back door and up the wash into Joshua Tree. Took this walk last weekend as the sun was setting and fired off a few shots into the sun. Hope you like them!
f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 200, 60mm
Ravens on the move!  f/18, 1/125 sec,  ISO 100, 31mm.  Put the sun behind one of the desert thistles.
I like these back-lit Cholla cactus... their spines glow yellow!  f/18, 1/80 sec, ISO 100, 16mm
Cactus skeleton against blue desert sky.  f/22 for maximum DoF, 1/60 sec; ISO 100, 20mm
And for a little fun, a long exposure night shot taken the same day... and wow, just happened to catch a UFO streaking across the sky!! Talk about perfect timing! (OK, and a little help from Photoshop!).
f/2.8, 30 seconds, ISO 2000, 16mm
Linking to Skywatch Friday. Thanks to Yogi, our new host! Click on the link to check out great skies from around the world
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28 comments:

  1. LizFebruary 14, 2013 at 9:36 PM

    Wonderful shots... All of them!!
    I break the rules all the time... I love the effect of shooting into the sun!

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  2. SteffiFebruary 14, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    Very beautiful photos for SWF!I love them.Well done!Thank you for it and have a nice weekend!

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  3. Carole M.February 14, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    especially liked the skeleton remains of the cacti as a silhouette, then the followup with that night-sky shot. A magical photograph, with a little magic happening. Have you seen the international-space-station doing its rounds??

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    I love shooting into the sun too! These shots are gorgeous... and I had to laugh about the UFO!

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  5. Small City ScenesFebruary 14, 2013 at 11:22 PM

    Wow pretty amazing!!!! All cool shots. MB

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  6. magiceyeFebruary 14, 2013 at 11:30 PM

    Brilliant work!!

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  7. Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 15, 2013 at 2:23 AM

    Loving them as amazing photos and because of the memories of Joshua Tree...high on my list of favorite places. You have a fabulous backyard

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  8. eileeninmdFebruary 15, 2013 at 2:26 AM

    Awesome images! The second shot is one of my favorites. And the last one is great, love it! Happy Skywatching!

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  9. s.cFebruary 15, 2013 at 2:36 AM

    Great shots. Love them all.

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  10. Gail DixonFebruary 15, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    These are perfect examples of why sometimes rules should be broken. Love those sun flares and that long exposure night shot is simply awesome!

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  11. TexWisGirlFebruary 15, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    really awesome shots and flares! the ufo made me laugh, though. i wouldn't have doubted you. :)

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  12. John @ Beans and I on the LooseFebruary 15, 2013 at 8:37 AM

    What a rebel you are! These are great photos. Occasionally I've stepped over the boundaries and have taken pictures facing the wrong way. Well done.

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  13. Photos by StanFebruary 15, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    Super images!! Thanks for the exposure details, which are always very informative in conjunction with a wonderful shot. Your sun bursts are perfect with the apertures you chose. Who says shooting into the sun is a bad idea? LOL Love your night sky -- I keep thinking about trying one-- I guess 30 sec is just on the border line of seeing the stars 'moving'. Kudos!

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    These are great, but how do you get the front (of what should only be a silhouette) seen? When something is back lit, the front is always black, hence the silhouette... do you brighten it up in editing or is it settings on the camera & you shoot it that way?

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  15. From The HeartFebruary 15, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    Great pictures!

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    I like the way the setting sun framed everything a little differently...photo "rules" are like the Pirate Code, they are really more like guidelines ;)

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  17. HildeFebruary 16, 2013 at 4:43 AM

    Wow, wonderful photos!! I love them all. That ufo really made me smile :)

    Thanks for your visit and comment.
    Hilde :)

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  18. LadyD PianoFebruary 16, 2013 at 6:12 AM

    I was told that rule, too and only tried it once. Your inspiring shots made me want to try it again. I love the birds and the cacti skeletons but I chuckled aloud with the last photo. All great pics!

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  19. Charlene N. K.February 16, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    These are really great images, the lighting, the subjects, the sun beams, and the starry sky! Wow!

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  20. Oakland Daily PhotoFebruary 16, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Enjoyed all your photos but the night sky was especially captivating. The density of stardust is thrilling. UFO or not.

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  21. Sally in WAFebruary 17, 2013 at 5:28 AM

    I really liked the skeleton cactus shot.

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  22. Jenn JilksFebruary 17, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    That is so much fun! I started blogging so my kids knew what I was up to. In three different cities..
    But now hubby can see my photos!
    Cheers from Cottage Country!

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  23. AVCr8teurFebruary 19, 2013 at 3:45 PM

    The fun part about photography is there are no rules, at least in my book. Your first photo is lovely with the orange background although it is "against the rules". I bet you can see tons of stars and maybe a meteor or two with no competition from city lights.

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  24. meFebruary 20, 2013 at 4:56 AM

    All of the shots are beyond stunning but that first shot... Absolutely amazing!

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    Love this series of shots, that one with the cactus and the sun burst is spectacular!

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  26. JudyFebruary 23, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    great series of images!!! I love the skeleton of the cactus!! Never knew they had skeletons...

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  27. AnonymousMarch 7, 2013 at 1:17 AM

    It’s arduous to seek out knowledgeable people on this Photographs and Pictures of Sun, but you sound like you already know what you’re talking about! Thanks a lot.

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  28. HenrymonstarMarch 21, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    Natural beauty! I am glad to find blog on Photographs and Pictures of Sun. Thanks

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