Effect of star shaped sun

<p>How do I achieve this effect of "star shaped" sun?<br>

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/sb10063098cf-001/Digital-Vision<br>

I tried it (even with my aperture closed) and I still can't achieve this effect (only shiny circle without star points).</p>

<p>Alan, the effect is so simple it's almost embarrassing !<br>

The "secret" is a "star" filter.<br>

No kidding ! </p>

<p><a href="http://www.tiffen.com/star_filters.htm">http://www.tiffen.com/star_filters.htm</a></p>

<p>Bill P.</p>

<p>Thanks. So this is the only way how to achieve this effect? (I mean in camera, not in Photoshop)<br>

I heard that closed aperture can create star shaped lights.</p>

<p>Alan, yes, <a href=" affects the length of rays of a light source</a> (for your purpose, start from the bottom).

<p>

In the example of the first image, one could <a href=" (via "More Properties" link in lower-right on the image page when available) it was taken at f/22</a>.

<p>Any bright light in the scene with a stopped down lens will do the same. It's more visible at night (high contrast), but happens during the day too. The star filter, in different ray counts, works too, plus you can stack them when you feel nuts.</p>

<p>Below is a shot without any filter taken in 2008 in Cape May. I used a Nikon D200 with the good old 50mm F1.8 AF @ F6.3 ~ 20 seconds. If you keep the lens nearly wide open you get a blob without rays.</p>

<p>Special point of information. If you count the number of aperture blades in your lens, you will know the number of rays your star will have (without filters of course). Even number = that number of rays. Odd number ... then you will have twice that number of rays.</p>

<p>Jim</p>

<p>Quiz ... how many aperture blades does this lens have? Look it up on the web.</p><div></div>

<p>Yes, some in-between the lens shutter/apertures, especially, would create star shaped highlights under the right circumstances but a star filter is the easiest way. You could use your own screen of some kind but the screen filters are not too costly, expecially if you look for used ones on eBay.</p>

<p>Practically every photographer got one of these at some time or another, used it once or twice and put it into the grab-bag box. At some future date, perhaps by the heirs, it has been or will be placed on auction at eBay. Lot of bunches of Spiratone and Cambridge filters on sale at any given time.</p>

<p>Answer: Seven Blades.</p>

<p>This was taken with a lens with eight blades: <a href="../photo/9199193">http://www.photo.net/photo/9199193</a></p>

<p>This lens also has eight blades but the lens was used wider open (See Jim Momary's Comment): <a href="../photo/9193658">http://www.photo.net/photo/9193658</a></p>

<p>And this was taken with a lens also with eight blades, but continuing the "Blob" conversation, note how the light farther away (more a point source of light), make better stars - especially that little green one: <a href="../photo/9814931">http://www.photo.net/photo/9814931</a> (double click on the image in the portfolio to see the stars from the green lights in the distance)</p>

<p>WW</p><div></div>