Sunburst_ (Click for larger View)

Alf, I'm also late to this image you certainly have created a certain buzz.

I know this is the Critique Forum but I would never use it intentionally to criticize a posting, you chose to post this image. I trust that you gave it due consideration before posting so I will judge it on what it is, not what it should or could have been.

What I see is an excellent sunrise/sunset with lens flare, you included it so I except it.

Best regards

GC 

It's good to read your well considered views. And I do agree that an image that causes some disagreement gives "food for thought" to all parties irrespective of any pet likes or dislikes.

I hadn't really noticed the reversed question mark shape until you pointed it out, but I do share your like of the tiny highlights on the reeds which sadly don't appear on "Houdoor"

Thank you for taking the time to apply your thoughts and not least your expertise in posting your version. Very much appreciated. I like the darkening you have applied, but am less keen on the square format. I sometimes think this is because we are pre-conditioned to seeing things in landscape orientation, TV's, Laptop's and PC Monitors all have this in common.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

GERALD

Well lets face it Gerald....things were just too dammed quiet :)

It's good to read that you have a very balanced and refreshing approach to viewing images. I think as photographers and the knowledge that we inevitably gather along the way, we can all sometimes be guilty of thinking we know what is right and even perhaps of how something should look.

Sincere Thanks for your well considered feedback!

Alf

Re square format - think 2.1/4 Rolleiflex (*_*). The first time someone here at photo.net suggested the square format for one of my flower images, I had a similar reaction - I still don't like it but I am guided to think of it on a case by case basis. 

Re the tiny highlights - I discovered that you have to be at a very particular height to get them

Hi Alf,

I did go back and look at Hoodour (not sure if I spelled it right). BUT I welcome this image. I do see that it has found so many sharing their views and that is good. We all see things differently.  I myself, and not being an expert at landscape by any means - not even close to Amateur - but I do know what I like.  This one for me has a 'life' of it's own.  I find it rather amazing the interaction of a lens with light - the bokeh and lens flare that is often realized is quite  spectacular. I find that to be so with this image. While I am very fond of the other image, this has it's merits.  I think there are some magical moments we capture that while they may not appeal to everyone - and especially those who are experienced photographers - there is a vast population who see things very differently.  I have seen on the Digital Market so many sets of Bokeh, Lens Flares and Sunburst Overlays that actually amaze me. I had never thought of the keen interest and spectacular variety that seem to appeal to people. For me this says something about what the public is attracted to.  I find this to be very beautiful - and I am almost anticipating some Heavenly Form to advance towards me.  For me it is a 'magical sight' and I am finding it difficult to stop looking at the utter beauty in the quality of light. The graduation of colours within are beautiful on their own. Thank you for sharing Alf - I appreciate you putting yourself out there and being open to what others share but also being true to your own feelings about this image - after all - you experienced what I would have appreciated - a Heavenly Moment - how often do any of us manage that?

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, it's just a case of getting used to the idea but whilst I'm still using landscape format that's quite difficult.  But having said that I have seen the occasional square format landscape image that I have liked.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

GAIL

I'm not sure if I ever spelled it right either, the name was taken from one of the characters and I have never seen it in written form :)

As you have already observed there are many views relating to this image and opinions about flare in general.  It's all good healthy debate, and I appreciate each and every comment.  But there are times when someone comments and it kind of says all the things I wanted to say but feel a bit reluctant to do so because I don't want to impose my views on others. In other words Gail, you seem to have read my thoughts and voiced them so eloquently here.

The part that resonates the most is your line "there is a vast population who see things very differently"  I couldn't agree more.  And not because we are talking about this single image, but because I have experienced the  same kind of mass appeal with other images where I have stopped and thought with my photographer head on...."what the hell do they see in that" ....The answer is that for the most part the general public are not at al concerned with all the technical merit of an image,  they just seem to be concerned with one thing.....aesthetics!  And I think the more impact an image has in terms of colour and brightness and dynamics, then the more attractive it may become.

I would go on to say, that retaining the ability to see things in a fresh way without jaundice or prejudice whilst still having the knowledge of an experienced and skilled photographer is a very special ability indeed and I take my hat off to you, because I know that this is something I have struggled with!

Sincere Thanks

Alf

I'm late and haven't ready the comments -- only skimmed a couple -- one mentioning the bit of magic with the lens flare.  I think so too.  The sunlight appears liquid, not on the water, but beyond the mountains, and that is so awesome.  I love the way the reeds just seem to fade in contrast and there is that gentle cloud in the middle of them.  This is striking and powerful -- like a cup of strong Italian coffee! Boom!!!  Wake up!  

Hi Alf, back again! I also had a proper look at Houdoor to do a comparison against this one. I recently joined a camera club again (hence my various photographic experiments) and I guess if both were entered into a competition then Houdoor would be the most technically correct in the accepted term but it's this one that I am most drawn to and it really portrays a sense of magic to the place, which makes it unique to you. Best wishes. Sarah. 

Sometimes it's best to ignore what has gone before :)

But it's really interesting to note the way different people interpret the lens flare!  The more artistically inclined people tend to like it, whilst those who are more intensely focused on technique don't like it.

The more romantic side of me likes to believe in the "magic! and as usual your description brings it all together so well!

And yes, it certainly seems to have woken a few people up too!

Sincere Thanks

Alf

SARAH

Yes I totally agree with your analysis reference "technical correctness"

But photography for me is all about how it makes people "feel" and you have used that word which has remained a common term throughout the discussion "magic"

Thank you so much Sarah! And good luck at the photography club!

Alf

Hi Alf, I have come back into this after reviewing both.  Would be nice if the other shot had the intensity of yellow (which can be added) and more highlights on tips of random reeds.  They are there in the other, but perhaps not brought out to their fullest. And what's that little ball 2/3 up on the left-- a sheep or a hay bale?  It's not in the other shot, and appears to be cloned out.  I still hate all the flare spots-- large and small, red to green-- but I give you credit for creating buzz!  Cheers, Jeff 

Well it's certainly created a buzz with you, it's not often I get two comments from the same person on a single image but three Wow! Thank You!

Yes it was a sheep but just resembled a pale blob hence the edit.

The highlights are there in "Houdoor", but the light intensity is significantly less. I dare say that with some greater manipulation of the image I could enhance them more.

Saturation could easily be added or subtracted from any image I just do what feels right at the time.

And as for "Hate" ....you are of course entitled to hate anything you wish...but personally I try to reserve that particular emotion for life changing circumstances and certain diseases.

Have a great weekend Jeff!

Alf

Sunburst?  Not really; you've actually presented an explosion of gold and orange, which immediately draws a viewer into the frame. The sunburst effect is dramatic, but it doesn't overpower the other peaceful, subdued areas of the lake.  Just in case, one gets too lost in the magic, the sharply detailed reeds are more than sufficient for the purpose of a reality check.

I'm beginning to run out of superlatives, when commenting on your work.  Si I'll just note that this image satisfies my expectations and more.

My best always,

michael

As usual you get to the very crux of the image without my having to explain it.

It is the impact of the image (the explosion)  that I think that many find striking and consequently explore the rest of the image as you have. I think the fact that so many have felt moved to comment is indicative of this also.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful review Michael.

Best Regards

Alf

Hi Alf,

As most people, I prefer the cleaner version, not really because those flares are absent, but mainly because I find the sun a bit too 'aggressive' on the image above. It kind of ruins the delicate and poetic beauty of the plants in the foreground. The flares themselves don't bother me that much. They add a fantasy touch!

As David mentionned, I'm not quite sure that the spots around the sun are classical flares. Sometimes I got similar effects (although not as beautiful as above...) when shooting towards the sun with myriads of water droplets on my ND Grad filter. Did you use a filter for this image?

In fact the more I see this image, the more I love it... with its spots!

Regards,

Alain

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback.

I'm really at a loss to explain the spots other than to say that they were not present when I took the next image "Houdoor" a few seconds later.

Maybe there were tiny dust spots that were highlighted the sheer intensity of the sun as David mentions.  I know there was a marked difference the amount and strength of the light between the two images.

I didn't use a filter on this one and the original RAW file was a lot darker, I used the adjustment slider in Adobe lightroom to reveal the shadows.

I think the initial thoughts some of the photographic fraternity is that "flare" is an unwanted element, and for the most part I agree. But then as you have mentioned, it kind of grows on you :)

Cheers!

Alf

This image has a special charm, and for me, the lens flares contribute to it. I like everything here!!!

Kind Regards,

Rosario.

Thank you so much for your interest and kind words!

The subject of lens flare has been a most interesting debate!

Kind Regards

Alf