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alfbailey

Copyright: @Alf Bailey Photography;
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Landscape

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This was taken just as the sun cleared the distant mountain ridge. It

took the full force of the sun hence the lens flare. I dismissed it

initially but after taking another look I thought it had some merit. I

posted it on FB and it seems popular there too. So my question is :

Lens flare do you prefer with or without? Your thoughts and

comments are always appreciated! Thank You!

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I do like lens flare; occasionally and only when done well, or at least when it serves the image. I must admit that I prefer a cleaner flare, in fact my preference is for a simple starburst around the sun (achievable with a small aperture) and not for the flare, ghosting and spotting that you have here. It dominates this image somewhat. You have a lovely sunburst in amongst the rest, but it is hidden - as is a fair chunk of what seems to be an incredibly beautiful image. I love the contrasts here, both colour and tone, but the subtlety, particularly that of the tones, is a little lost amongst the glare. But I guess that was how it was perceived as you shot the scene, squinting into the sun. So perhaps it does work after all, I guess the point is, as always, one of intent, of art. 

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Alf,

Not seen the one with out so can't really compare love the sun rays but am not keen on the lens flare, still really like the image.

Rich.

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Lovely composition and colors. Like some of the others, however, I think the flares are a bit distracting. I'm sure you have a few exposures after you waited for the sun to drop behind the horizon. I'd be curious to see them. 

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Stunning photograph!  Absolutely supreme!  The lens flare does it for me on this occasion - it makes it more wonderfully dramatic - as against 'another sunrise!'  The colours are superb and the whole image is beautifully balanced.  The enlarged view makes it even more visually exciting. Well done, Mr. Bailey for taking a step outside 'the norm.'

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Alf,  The view is magic and it is a very difficult shot to take technically, the light looks pretty strong.   I still like it especially the reflection of the sunlight on water.  Well done and Thanks for sharing it.

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I must admit I like "Houdoor" much better as a photograph, but find this is probably more realistic ;-).  "There's Gold in Them Thar Hills" is offered as an alternate title ;-)... Mike

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Hi, Alf! Beautiful and unique image. I like it more the way it is for that particular reason that it is unique. I would have been tempted to "remove" the green one though. All the best, Tamara
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Just to follow up, I hadn't seen your image Houdoor when I posted my original comment. That image is exactly what I meant. Lovely sunburst and, for me, a far superior image.
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Hi Alf, as you may have ascertained over the years - I love working with bokeh and light flairs. I think you have some magical light here and it's the type of image that really appeals to me and makes the sunset/sunrise different to the conventional ones! Beautiful capture! Best wishes. Sarah.

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Hi Alf, as always your work is always at the highest level, however, i find the flare's distracting. 

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Sorry Alf, I will have to agree..  too much flare.  A few spots down in the weeds in the foreground would probably be fine, but there is just too many and central in the image.  The burst around the sun is nice,  though I think I might have even muted that just a smidge.  But whom am I?

 

-Dave

 

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Thank you so much for taking the time to study and comment and then take the trouble to look at the former image "Houdoor" 

 

It's a most interesting and varied response that this image has received. I posted it for a couple of reasons, firstly because I have several images of this scene in varying degree of brightness but this one the only one with this intense brightness and consequential flare which for me makes it different.

I also posted this on social media and it is interesting to note that the none photographic sector of the community seem to like it much more than those who are very knowledgeable about photography, I of course include yourself in the latter category.

I would say that this image has more impact than the others, although that's not to say it's better in any way, just more noticeable.

Like all aspects of photography it's all very subjective but it's good to get this most invaluable feedback!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

RICHARD

 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback, much appreciated!

(The one without the flare is in the single images folder and called "Houdoor")

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

PATSY

 

Thank you so much, it's different, and I've never had this much flare from a photo before, which is why I find it interesting.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

EMMANUEL

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and thoughtful feedback. I do have a number of images of the same scene with much less brightness and glare, this is a link to the one I have been referring to

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=18253943

 

Alf

 

SANS

 

Thank you so much for your most encouraging words and positive feedback!

I would agree that the lens flare certainly does make the image different, and for some that is a good thing.  I think It's good to experiment and try out new ways of looking at things. I initially discarded this image for all the reasons stated, but finally decided to show this to the world. Interesting results though "outside the norm" :) 

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

BACHIR

 

Thank you so much! Yes you are correct the sunlight was intense the full force which seemed to be squeezed between the low cloud for a few fleeting seconds. This is the only shot from a series of about 6 that has resulted like this.

Alf

 

WAYNE

 

Many Thanks Wayne, I sometimes think that filters can rob an image of all its spontaneous character, and that's why I think this has some merit, it's just the results of light on a lens :)

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MIKE

 

I sometimes think us photographers get bogged down a bit with all the rules and knowledge that make us competent photographers!

I have a list as long as my arm  (well not an actual list) of all the things that should and shouldn't make a photograph good or bad, from compositions to lighting to noise, horizons, colours and of course lens flare. The combinations and permutations become almost endless.  But yes lens flare is always something I've sought to avoid, and succeeded for the most part too.  But now it's presented itself it seems to have aroused more questions than answers : - )

Many Thanks Mike!

 

Alf

 

TAMARA

 

So good to hear from you! I hope you are keeping well?

I bet you never liked green jelly baby's either :)

Thank you so much for your interest and kind words, but yes I have to agree it is that "unique" quality that has me fascinated too.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

CHARLES

 

Thank you for your feedback, it adds to the discussion which becomes ever more interesting!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

SARAH

 

I have been very envious at times when you produce those images with such a beautiful bokeh!

This is very different for me, I know how to avoid lens flare and wouldn't normally shoot straight into the sun without a filter of some kind.  But as you have mentioned the result is just so different!

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

RICHARD

 

Thank you so much for your interest and positive feedback!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

GARY

 

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments much appreciated!

 

Alf

 

DAVE

 

Don't be sorry I'm not! :)

I have at least another 5 in this series of the same scene without flare, so I am not in the slightest bit perturbed by the presence of flare in this one.

It's an offering of something different, and what's really great is that it has raised some great questions and discussion.   "Who am I" Well I'd say you are a respected member of this photographic community and I respect your views and value your input!

Would I do anything different if I took this shot again?, Yes I would try and get a few more with varying degrees of flare so that then I could get some comparisons and maybe start another debate on "what are acceptable levels of flare"

Many Thanks Dave

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

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A very sound response, I too like to test the waters from time to time.  I will have to go back into your files and look at some others in this series.  The elements are certainly there, and with your hand, I am sure there is magic.

 

-Dave

 

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Alf, I have to say I like the other one better, but perhaps for a different reason than has been stated. I don't really mind the actual flare along the right-edge of the weeds. The other spots, though, appear to be due to dust or debris on the lens or filter. Not sure if you used a very wide angle lens, but the random spots remind me of a hard-learned lesson about keeping my 11-16mm absolutely clean when shooting into the light. As usual, your composition, timing, and colors are spectacular, but these are just as good in the other, without the random spots, to which I will have to say "well done".

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Hi Alf, thought i'd let you know, just got "Photo Of The Day". Your advice over the years has help achieve that. Remember that site where we first met, Hartly, the woman, what was here name Zorita. Corr, that seems a long time ago now.

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Alf, I think if this had been posted under a different name (e.g. John Doe) that it would have had far more negative comments.  To me this image looks like a technical mistake rather than intentional "artistic flare".  From my experience, I also agree with David's comment that debris may have caused some of the nastier spots.  Regards, Jeff

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I completely agree, by testing the waters with something different we can read into the responses some degree of understanding peoples, likes, dislikes and taboos. It's a great learning curve. I also think the level of interest a photo generates is a good indicator, not whether it's good , bad or indifferent, but maybe that it's striking enough or different enough to raise opinions.

 

Cheers

 

Alf

 

DAVID

 

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to compare the two images, much appreciated!  It's good to know you like one of them too :) 

 

I know what you mean about dust, it can be a real pain, however in this case I'm not at all certain that the spots were due to this. Firstly because of past mistakes I'm extremely diligent when it comes to keeping my lenses spotlessly clean. Secondly the other image (Houdoor) was taken seconds later and doesn't show any such dust spots and only minimal flare. Now it could well be that the greater brightness intensity present when taking "Sunburst" would cause some microscopic dust element to illuminate but I wonder if there is another explanation.  As I'm really no expert at shooting directly into the light I accept any possibility.

 

Thanks Again David!

 

Alf

 

 

 

GARY

 

Well done!, a lovely image in your specialist subject of waterfalls!

So pleased you think I have helped in some small way :)

It's always nice to know when your efforts have been rewarded with some recognition I got the same buzz when my photo "Plain Sailing was chosen on the 4th Oct!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JEFF

 

From your comments I can only conclude you are either giving the name Alf Bailey far too much credit for being able to influence the way people think, or maybe even suggesting that the people that make any positive comments on this site are being far less than honest.  Either way I think you are way off the mark!

In fact I think the amount people that have stated that they prefer "Houdoor" actually supports the fact that people are generally speaking giving an honest opinion.  Or is it you think that just the ones that don't like it that are being honest :)  

My experience on social media tells a far different story and this image has proved incredibly popular, though I will add that was very much to my surprise!

But in any case I think I'd rather have negative comments and constructive critique than none at all.  This site is after all about learning and encouraging others. Or have I got that wrong too?

I didn't post the image with any claims of it having any intentional "artistic flare" if you read the foreword I actually stated that I dismissed it initially. I went on to say I thought it had some merit, and although it's different and unconventional, I still do.

However what you see before you is the result of shooting directly into the sun, and possibly some dust. Of course its not compulsory to like it, or to even think it has artist merit, such is the nature of photography as stated so many times previously, purely subjective!

Always most interesting to read your views Jeff 

 

Thank You!

 

Regards

 

Alf

 

PS: I wonder how long it take the name "John Doe" to start unduly influencing people lol.

 

 

 

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I was thinking of facebook as social media.  There, "friends" usually provide lots of loves and likes rather than honest feedback.  That's all.  I guess I'm a cynical optimist!

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I am late to the party as usual and I see that you have divided the congregation with this image and that is actually a good thing. It could have been just another maple leaf on a rock and most people would then have moved on quickly to the next image. I am floating between Houdoor image and this one and if truth be told, I am undecided which one I would hang on my wall. 

I will conclude and tell you what specifically I like about this image:

 

I like the trail and shape of the flare - it seems to form a reverse question mark and not scattered all over the image.

I also like that the foreground reeds have tiny highlights  .

 

As a consequence of being attracted to the aforementioned characteristics, the attached would be my version.

 

25984291.jpg
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