Starburst effect, how to achieve it

How to Achieve the Starburst Effect in Your Photos

The starburst effect is a popular photographic technique where points of light, such as the sun or street lamps, appear to radiate beams like a star. To create this effect, follow these tips:

• Use a Small Aperture: The key to a strong starburst is to set your lens to a small aperture, such as f/11, f/16, or f/22. The smaller the aperture (larger f-number), the more pronounced the starburst effect will be, as the light passing through the narrow opening creates diffraction spikes.
• Watch for Diffraction: While a smaller aperture enhances the starburst effect, shooting at f/22 may introduce diffraction, which can reduce overall image sharpness. To find the best balance between a crisp starburst and minimizing diffraction, experiment with apertures like f/16 or even f/11, depending on your lens.
•  Positioning the Light Source: For the best results, position your light source (like the sun or streetlights) partially obscured by an object, such as a tree or building edge. This can intensify the starburst effect while controlling the exposure of the surrounding scene.
• Use a Tripod for Stability: Shooting at smaller apertures often requires slower shutter speeds, especially in low-light situations. A tripod will help prevent camera shake, ensuring your image remains sharp.

By practicing with different aperture settings and compositions, you'll be able to master the starburst effect while maintaining image quality.

Here is an example of the effect from my last weekend photos.

This photo was taken at f/18, 28mm, handheld, using a Tamron 28-300 EF adapted to Canon R6.

How to photograph strangers

I love street photography, especially capturing candid moments of people going about their daily lives. I rarely ask anyone to pose for a shot. Occasionally, people notice the camera and instinctively pose, but those images often feel less authentic to me. Candid photos of strangers tell a richer, more compelling story about a place than simply photographing its landmarks or scenery.

For example, in the photograph above, the meditating girl at the end of the pier immediately conveys a sense of peace, inviting reflection and introspection. Without her presence, the photo wouldn’t fully capture that same depth or message.

Candid picture of a young woman at a local event. 

Usually, when people notice you’ve taken their photo, they just smile. They often feel flattered that you found something interesting about them.

Street vendors at Roatan, Honduras.

A young woman posing for a photographer when she noticed me taking her picture.

Here is an article from a National Geography Photographer about this topic.

Lee Miller

The making of Lee.

“I would rather take a photograph than be one.”

You can appreciate some of her pictures here. Lee possessed an extraordinary gift: the ability to uncover art in the most surreal and chaotic moments of war. It’s a rare talent to find beauty in such harsh realities.

Canon released new firmware updates

New firmware update for Canon R6.

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/canon-product-advisories/Firmware-Notice-EOS-R6-Firmware-Version-1-9-0

Firmware Version 1.9.0 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Enables functions to be used without limitation in conjunction with the new Battery Pack LP-E6P. This makes it possible to shoot at the same continuous shooting speed as when using LP-E6NH. In-camera charging of LP-E6P is also supported.
2. The following issues have been fixed:
a. Fixes an issue, in which when shooting subjects that are smaller in the frame, the card access indicator blinks and operations can no longer be performed.
b. Fixes an issue, in which when performing shooting in high-speed continuous shooting + mode with the [Highlight Tone Priority] option set to [ON], focus may not be achieved when certain ISO speed settings are used.

If the camera's firmware is already Version1.9.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Other updates available are:

EOS R5 Mark II - Version 1.0.1

EOS R5 - Version 2.1.0

EOS R3 - Version 1.8.0

The Saga continues, Canon R5 vs R5 Mk2

Manny Ortiz is one of the photography channels I follow on YouTube. He recently did an in-depth comparison between the two cameras. Check out his final thoughts.

Winners of the Bird Photography of the year

 Wondering who and what photos got the Best Bird Photography of 2024? Click on this link are enjoy the winners' pictures. 

The winning entries in this year’s Bird Photographer of the Year competition were just announced. Patricia Homonylo was named the overall winner for her conservation-themed image of the thousands of birds killed in one year by colliding with windows and other reflective surfaces in urban areas. Competition organizers were once more kind enough to share some of the other winners here, selected from a field of more than 23,000 entries.

A must watch video

 This is an excellent video that shows you the importance of light, specifically backlight, in wildlife photography. You can see beautiful pictures taken using this technique.  

 

I love incorporating backlighting in my photography as much as possible. It adds a sense of drama and depth, elevating the composition far beyond what you'd achieve with frontal lighting. The way backlighting enhances silhouettes and contrasts makes the scene more visually striking, creating mood and atmosphere that wouldn't be as impactful with the light coming from the front.

I still have a long way to go to achieve the same results as shown in the video. While it's motivating, I recognize there's a lot of practice and learning ahead for me to reach that level.

Canon Fall Featured Photo Gallery 2024.

Canon Community selected one of my pictures to be part of the Fall Featured Photo Gallery (it’s the one under Ctitanic)!

Here is the link.

War photography

This year, two movies were released about war photography: Civil War and Lee. The first follows the journey of two war photographers during a fictitious scenario of an American Civil War in current times. One of them is named Lee, as a tribute to the war photographer Lee Miller, who also inspired the second movie, Lee. Lee Miller was an American photographer, model, and war correspondent known for her surrealist art and groundbreaking work during World War II. Miller became one of the few female war correspondents, documenting the horrors of the war, including the liberation of concentration camps. Her powerful images and fearless approach made her a pioneering figure in war photography.

Both films vividly depict the horrors of war and the vital role that photographers play in bringing those realities to the world. They highlight the brutal dangers faced by photographers and journalists, many of whom are killed in the line of duty, and the courage they show in continuing to document these conflicts, one photo at a time.

I highly recommend to watch these two movies. 

Rolling Shutter and more

The following video gives you all the information you will ever need about rolling shutter and how it’s manifested in Canon’s cameras.

Light and shadow

Photography is a delicate dance between light and shadow. I absolutely love the pictures I took this weekend. The way the light filters through the flower creates a mood that's hard to put into words. Click the link to view the full details of the picture.

Frustrations with a newly released camera

This is not just happens when you buy a new version of a camera that includes new features. It happens with mostly everything. New features demand more resources and more resources demand more “juice” aka power resulting in the need of new redesigned battery. This is what is happening with the Canon R5 Mark II. The issue is that the camera is being sold but there is not any stock of those new batteries and the old batteries restrict many of the features of the camera and those restrictions are not well documented. The following video is about what to expect if you are forced to use the new R5 Mark II with your old LP-E6NH battery. 

Check this before buying the R5 Mark II

To me, the Canon R5 Mark II is a classic example of a company attempting to fix one issue, only to inadvertently create another.

 

 "After testing the Canon R5II I discovered it had a weakness I was not aware of, and it may impact if the camera is right for you."

The video above shows Duade Paton's disappointment upon discovering that the dynamic range of the Canon R5 Mark II was compromised due to a fix for the rolling shutter issue and an increase in the sensor's readout speed.

Here is what I think about this matter. When purchasing a new camera, it's natural to expect improvements in image quality compared to your previous model. In the case of the Canon R5 Mark II, however, this expectation falls short. While the Canon R5 Mark II offers enhancements in many areas compared to the R5 Mark I, the image quality has unfortunately suffered. Despite advancements and additional features, the overall quality of the photos does not meet the standard set by its predecessor, which is disappointing.

16 is the magic number

To capture a landscape photo like this, 

There are a few key steps to follow:

1. Lens Choice: While zoom lenses can work for landscape photography, a wide-angle lens is generally recommended to capture more of the scene. In the example above, I used the Tamron 28-300mm at its widest setting, 28mm. The smaller the focal length, the wider the view.
2. Camera Settings: Switch your camera mode to either Manual or Aperture Priority. This gives you more control over your settings. Set your aperture to f/16 or higher. f/16 is ideal for achieving sharpness from the foreground all the way to the horizon. Aperture values between f/16 and f/21 will help with this task, while still allowing you to keep your ISO as low as possible to minimize noise.
3. Post-Processing: After shooting, use editing software like Lightroom to slightly enhance the saturation and contrast. This will bring out the colors and give the photo more depth.
   

Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD Review

I recently purchased the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD lens on eBay, and here are my thoughts.

Why this lens?
The main reason I chose this lens is its convenience. It's the perfect travel companion, covering a versatile zoom range from 28mm—ideal for landscapes—to 300mm, which is great for detailed shots of architecture, wildlife, and more. The range in between also makes it suitable for portrait photography. The second reason is price. This is a 10 years old lens that works very well and is currently being sold in the used market for half of the price of when it was released.

Performance:
The sharpness of this lens is surprisingly decent, especially considering its broad zoom range. It also features Vibration Control (VC), Tamron’s image stabilization, which performs impressively—even outperforming some of my Canon lenses. While the autofocus is a little slow, it's far from the slowest I've encountered but it’s not fast enough to be used in a sport event. The lens is moisture-resistant, which is a great bonus for outdoor use.

Handling:
Weighing only 19 ounces, this lens is lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for exploring cities or historical landmarks.

Value:
You can find this lens used for around $300 to $400, a very attractive price given its features and versatility. The lens has many versions, you need to look for version A010 (look for the letters PZD in the name).

Samples

Here some pictures taken with this lens adapted to a Canon R6. These photos have been edited a little bit like I always do with any other picture.

Paul McCartney, the photographer

Almost everyone on Earth knows Paul McCartney as the legendary musician and former Beatle. However, what many may not realize is that he's also a talented amateur photographer.

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm is an unprecedented exhibition, revealing extraordinary photographs taken by the beloved musical icon. Organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London, the exhibition will open at the Portland Art Museum on September 14, 2024, and run through January 19, 2025.

From the few his pictures that I have seen published in many articles around the web I can say that his composition is nice and reflect the history of the group during that time period from 1963 to 1064.

White Balance

White Balance is one of the most important settings in your camera and the below video explains why in a very comprehensive way. 

Your stolen camera may not be a priority

Tracking devices have become increasingly popular among photographers, who may believe these tools will help recover stolen cameras or other photography-related gear. However, according to an article on DIY Photography, the reality might not live up to those expectations.

The conclusion is straightforward: no device can replace vigilance and common sense when it comes to protecting your equipment.

TechRadar declares the R5 Mark II the best Pro Camera

TechRadar has recently declared the Canon R5 Mark II the best pro mirrorless camera, though they pointed out a "very slight loss in dynamic range" as one of its few cons. This comes as no surprise, as the Canon R5 Mark II is indeed one of the most impressive cameras on the market today.

With a 45MP full-frame sensor, 8K video recording, and superb auto focus capabilities, the R5 Mark II is designed for professionals who demand high-quality images and video performance. Its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is particularly strong, offering up to 8 stops of stabilization, which makes handheld shooting more effective, even in low light.

The camera’s Dual Pixel auto focus system ensures that subjects remain in sharp focus, whether you're shooting fast-moving wildlife or cinematic footage. While TechRadar noted a very slight loss in dynamic range, this is a minor issue that won't be noticed by most photographers, especially given the exceptional image quality, color reproduction, and ISO performance of the camera.

Its popularity is undeniable, with demand so high that it's out of stock in nearly all major online stores. The Canon R5 Mark II delivers a remarkable balance of speed, resolution, and video prowess, cementing its place as a top choice for professionals across genres.

Birds in flight, how do I do it?

Birds in flight photography is one of the most challenging aspects of bird photography. It’s not just about having a camera with great autofocus and a fast lens to track the bird; a lot relies on having the right camera settings. In this situation, shooting in Auto Mode simply won’t cut it.

So, how do I approach it? I’ve configured my Canon R6 with custom settings specifically for Birds in Flight, saved to the C3 memory slot. This allows me to quickly access my optimized settings with a simple switch to C3. I prefer shooting in Shutter Priority mode, setting the shutter speed at around 1/3000 to freeze the motion, while letting the camera automatically handle the aperture and ISO. This approach simplifies the process and keeps me focused on the action.

The results speak for themselves, as seen in this stunning capture of a red-shouldered hawk in flight.

 

Or this other picture of a juvenile Mississippi Kite.

Extremely detailed photograph of the moon

 An Iraq-based photographer decided to take the most detailed picture of the moon. 

 ...it required four days of continuous moon observation and shooting, ending up with over 81,000 images. They were stacked together to create the final 708 GB piece, with a whopping 159.7 MP resolution. Darya merged four different moon phases and the moon’s shadow area to reveal the topography of the lunar surface.

You can see some of the pictures here. The quality of those pictures are amazing so the amount of work put into this project.

Settings for Wildlife Photography

There aren’t necessarily right or wrong settings—there are settings that work well for you and your specific shooting situation. I chose the following video because it perfectly explains my approach and settings to wildlife photography.

Bird Photography in New York City

Believe it or not, I had more opportunities for bird photography when I lived in South Florida than I do now living in a small town north of Tampa.

Surprisingly, bird photography in New York City isn't uncommon, as explained in the following video.

Swans in Florida

 Yesterday we visited the city of Lakeland, Florida, specifically Lake Morton. The main reason of our visit was to photograph the Swans that were gifted to this city by Queen Elizabeth II.

Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L

Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L

 

 Above you can see two of the pictures I took while admiring the beauty of these birds.  For more pictures, please visit my Flickr page.

 

Image stabilization

Image stabilization is crucial for any type of photography. Here’s a picture I took using a super low shutter speed to capture the movement effect in the water. I used 1/15s; at this speed, without image stabilization, there would have been no way to shoot this image without a tripod.

Love is in the air

In my opinion, this is the best picture from today’s photo walk. The two lizards look like they're hugging each other. 

Botanical Gardens are ideal for good pictures

Botanical Gardens are fantastic places for a day of photography, brimming with natural beauty and diverse subjects. I spent some time at one yesterday and captured this photo. The gardens are perfect for taking vibrant and detailed shots of plants, flowers, and even butterflies.

For example, these pictures of a butterflies showcases the delicate details and vivid colors that the gardens have to offer. The setting provided an excellent backdrop for highlighting the intricate patterns and textures of the butterfly, making for a captivating image.

Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L.

Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L.

Exposing for the brightest subject

I really enjoy using this technique in photography. The concept is straightforward: you focus on a subject illuminated by a spot of light. To ensure the subject is properly exposed, you need to adjust the exposure compensation on your camera. This adjustment will naturally cause the background to appear very dark, often reaching black.

In post-processing, you then refine the image by trying to keep the background as dark as possible. The result is a striking photograph where the subject stands out vividly against a nearly black backdrop. This method is excellent for creating dramatic, high-contrast images that emphasize the subject.

Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L.

The above photo is part of an album created with Pictures taken at Spring Hill Coastal Botanical Garden.