Some images I shoot get a glare.....check out the run at the bottom of the sun and the little greenish spot to the left.  

It ruins some otherwise fair pictures.

What do I need to do?  It doesn't happen in all pics.

Thanks,
Jackie

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Need a filter....now which type, I have not a clue....

Thanks, Bill.....that's kinda what I thought but haven't a clue either.

Maybe you need a lens filter?   My son called that a lens flare when I showed it to him.

I don't know what you need, but I still think that it's a beautiful picture.

Hugs,

Jen

Photoshop!

Bob P wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 6:23pm:

Photoshop!

I agree with Bob P.  Otherwise, your best bet is to use a lens hood.   I run into that problem and I just clone that little sucker out.

carolyn

OK....photoshop it is.....thanks.
That's not cheating...LOL

Oh....there was a lens hood on it.

Thanks again,
Jackie

lmao Bob

Yup, a filter.  I believe it's a polarizing filter?  You're actually not supposed to take direct pictures of the sun without one as it can ruin the camera, at least that is what it says in my manual.

:)

I just checked, and it looks like a GND (Graduated neutral density ) filter is what you're supposed to use.  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

The green spot is lens flare; the elongated sun is sensor blooming and the image is great! I like how you balanced the composure with the jetty on the right and the clouds on the left.

Lens flare is caused by multi-path reflections from the glass elements in the lens. Often, a clear protective filter on the front of the lens can make it worse. Because today's complex zoom lenses have so many elements, they tend to be more prone to flare problems. (More pieces of glass to cause reflections)  

A lens hood only helps when a bright light source is outside the frame. Most lenses will exhibit some flare when shooting directly into a light source. Next time, try moving your camera just a little bit up/down/left/right and you will see the flare spot(s) moving around the frame. You can often orient your shot to put the flare spot outside of the frame.

The sensor blooming is a characteristic of digital sensors. When over-saturated with intense light, they “bloom” as you see in this shot.

As Mel said, a Graduated ND filter can help, but it can also cause color shifts under certain conditions. The Graduated ND filters are intended to help you equalize the exposure between the very bright and darker shadow areas. In this case, I like the dark silhouetted foreground and an ND filter would have reduced that – making the entire scene more even – ruining the mood for me.

A polarizing filter can sometimes help, but in this case it would have reduced the reflections on the water which would have changed the texture – and I like the texture. If you buy a polarizing filter, be sure to get a "cricular polarizer" instead of a linear polarizer. (No, I don't mean the shape of the filter - it's an internal thing)

Sorry to be so long winded………………I'll bet you're sorry you asked!

Marc wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 9:18pm:

The green spot is lens flare; the elongated sun is sensor blooming and the image is great! I like how you balanced the composure with the jetty on the right and the clouds on the left. Lens flare is caused by multi-path reflections from the glass elements in the lens. Often, a clear protective filter on the front of the lens can make it worse. Because today's complex zoom lenses have so many elements, they tend to be more prone to flare problems. (More pieces of glass to cause reflections)   A lens hood only helps when a bright light source is outside the frame. Most lenses will exhibit some flare when shooting directly into a light source. Next time, try moving your camera just a little bit up/down/left/right and you will see the flare spot(s) moving around the frame. You can often orient your shot to put the flare spot outside of the frame. The sensor blooming is a characteristic of digital sensors. When over-saturated with intense light, they “bloom” as you see in this shot. As Mel said, a Graduated ND filter can help, but it can also cause color shifts under certain conditions. The Graduated ND filters are intended to help you equalize the exposure between the very bright and darker shadow areas. In this case, I like the dark silhouetted foreground and an ND filter would have reduced that – making the entire scene more even – ruining the mood for me. A polarizing filter can sometimes help, but in this case it would have reduced the reflections on the water which would have changed the texture – and I like the texture. If you buy a polarizing filter, be sure to get a "cricular polarizer" instead of a linear polarizer. (No, I don't mean the shape of the filter - it's an internal thing) Sorry to be so long winded………………I'll bet you're sorry you asked!

Fuckin know it all!....Im just gonna go look at the sun and tell people about it!......LMAO!  ;D

Nice explination, Marc.....It helped me out, thanks, bro!  ;)

That's a purdy picture in any event.

Charlie

wow - i dont think i understood ONE word of your post, marc... except "clouds".... and that's IF you're talking about clouds in the sky and not some weird photography term.. and i'm not sure...
so - i didnt understand any of it... i dont think.

Glad I will never have the money for this expensive hobby .. cuz i dont understand.  LOL ;D

I couldnt even find the "problem" jackie speaks of.... it just looks like a nice picture to me..

Smooch
woobs :-*

Thanks for the explanation, Marc.  I'm with you....like everything about the picture except the 'lens flare' and 'blooming' (learning here :))  I'll try to pay more attention to what's in the frame before I pull the trigger. :P

After Mel's post about ruining my lens, it kinda scared me.  I sure don't want to do that......those things are expensive.

Thanks again.



LOL Woobie....I'm sure glad you're back... :-*

See.....I made a mess out of this on too  >:(

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

*You* didn't mess the damned thing up!  Now for a question, are you looking at the lcd display or through the view finder when you are taking pictures?

FWIW, I have uv filters on every one of my lens.  I figure I can correct errors easier than I can replace a lens (especially my newest one, a 10-20 Sigma super wide).  I also have a cpl for each lens.

Jackie,
Did you get the D40 that has 2 lens with it?  I think you also have the same camera that Chuck does.

Delta,
I look thru the view finder.  I can see the 'target' better.

Sounds like I better study up and figure out some filters.  I sure don't want to destroy a lens.  They are a bit salty.

My D40 came with one lens.  I bought a Sigma 70-300 (saved a bunch by not buying Nikon brand) and a Nikkor 55-200......love them both!

Thanks a bunch for the tips.

Love ya,
Jackie

OK jackie.
I dont see where you "messed" up that pic.  I think it's beautiful!  Where's the problem??   please show me... i feel REALLY stupid.    
Not only do I not understand the camera talk... I dont SEE the flaws...

SMOOCH
woobie :-*

LOL Woobie.....I don't know the camera lingo either.  Marc taught me the term 'sensor blooming'.....the sun looks like it has a drip coming off the bottom.  Not a bad picture except for that.  Im trying cause it's fun.  Never knew there was SO much involved in 'picture takin'.

Love ya,
Jackie

Jackie,

I agree with Marc...  The balance and composition of your photo is exceptional.  You captured a magic moment in time.  Marc provided a very accurate explanation of your perceived problems and an excellent analysis of potential solutions with all the trade offs.  In short, I agree with each of his conclusions and wouldn't change anything either.  I do have one question...  Did you use a tripod?

I say this as Ansel Adams, the greatest landscape photographer ever, always used a tripod.  It took me too many years to learn and relearn this simple basic rule of photography...  Having said that, there's easily 70 light years difference between the camera Ansel Adams used and today's computerized digital cameras.  You might find it interesting to know that many of the techniques Ansel Adams developed are coded in your camera's software.  Although all this technology can make up for a lot, the simple fact remains a tripod and a remote or timed shutter release will improve the quality of most photographs.

I like your last photo too...  

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Thank you, Pete......appreciate the comments.

As to the tripod.  I have one but have never used it.  It seems that I'm always on the move and don't take the time to set it up.  Maybe I need an assistant.. :D..  Can imagine the look on Blake's face if I tell him that one.... ::)

Do you use filters when shooting into bright light?  I'm still scared about ruining a lens.

Thanks again,
Jackie

Jackie,
I have a tripod, a monopod and a gorilla pod.  Most of the time, I can't be arsed to take them out and use them, unless I's shooting specific things and I'll be there awhile (like at convention).  All a tripod does for you is give you more stability (especially if you're using a long or heavy lens).

Here's a link about filters.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Jackie,

I carry a small table top tripod that collapses into a small 7" leather bag.  It can also double as a billy club so it's handy to keep in your purse.  

Regarding photos where you're shooting into a rising or setting sun...  The best rule of thumb is your eyes.  If you can look directly at the sun without any discomfort, there's little chance of doing any damage to your DSLR camera.  Having said that, you can burn your retinas by looking at the sun even when there's no apparent discomfort.

Marc talked about sensor blossom.  This can be caused by a cascaide effect where an over stimulated sensor cell triggers a partial stimulation of an adjoining cell.  This can also be caused by movement of the camera causing the image of the sun to move across the sensor...  The end result is much the same...  A tripod goes a long way to eliminate movement.

Take care and keep it up...  I love your phots...

V/R, Batch

Thanks again, everyone, for your tips and advice.

I found a little hole-in-the-wall camera shop yesterday.  Blake & I went there yesterday afternoon.  I told the gentleman what I though I needed.  He got me all fixed up and gave me some things to watch out for.  I'm glad I found him.  He's loves EVERYTHING about photograpy and it shows when he talks about it.  I think he would have kept us there all night talking about his passion :)

He also teaches a couple continuing education classes at the Indiana University extension here.....one for idiots like me and then a second more advanced one.  We plan to take both of them.....am betting he's an excellent teacher.

Thank again.....
Jackie

Oh...he had some pictures on display that looked so much like the ones I took at Michigan City and also like the ones I took at Bonnyeville Mills (a local county park).  Blake did a double take...LOL

Jackie,
That's a good way to go (finding a small shop that specialized in photography).  As much as I dislike commercial shops, our local Ritz is pretty good.  Most of them are *real* photographers and have been able to offer some good advice.  I also use a shop in Shreveport whenever I get the chance to go over there.

Taking classes is good.  I took one at our local university (I've known the teacher for years, he and I are both ham radio operators) and I really enjoyed it.  I wish they would offer a more advanced one, plus a class in digital editing!

Carolyn