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How to Make the Sun Burst in Photography

There a number of effects that can be created without using special filters or post production techniques. When you want to create a starburst in your picture (sometimes known as a sunburst), selecting the correct aperture will give the effect you are looking for. Knowing what your equipment is capable of doing will save you money in not having to buy filters and save you time by creating the effect in camera and not having to add it afterward.

Instructions

- 1
  Turn your digital camera on and set the exposure mode to "Aperture Priority." This setting is usually indicated with letters "Av" or "Ap" depending on the make and model of the camera you are using. In this setting, you select the aperture and the camera will select the shutter speed for the correct exposure.
- 2
  Turn the input dial and set the aperture to its smallest setting. The setting is indicated by the largest number in the liquid crystal display (LCD), look for a number between "f22" to "f32." Depending on the make and model of your camera, the input dial is usually located on the hand grip just front of the shutter release.
- 3
  Observe the shutter speed selected by the camera; if the shutter speed is a slower speed, around 1/30th of a second or lower, attach the camera to a tripod to reduce or eliminate any camera shake that could result from hand-holding the camera at this shutter speed.
- 4
  Look through the viewfinder, compose the picture and press the shutter release to take the picture. The small aperture will cause the sunlight to appear as a starburst in the picture.

Photography