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.