Into the sun, lens flare effect

[InfiniteZero]

Working to get that cool lens flare effect when shooting into the sun. Was in Boston for a graduation and took a few pics. Any comments appreciated.

1. Street lamp - Also tried a little HDR type PP

2. Boston Holocaust Memorial

 

[chaosrealm93]

i think lens flare is regarded as bad in most cases.. though in some cases, it works very well for portraits

 

[AgentDrex]

Photo 2 is gravy...thanks for sharing this with us...wished I lived closer to a place with tall buildings...here is my attempt at a "into-the-sun" shot (sort of):

 

[Vtec44]

In my newbie opinion, photo #2 is very nicely exposed. Did you do anything special? Do you mind sharing your technique? I couldn't tell if it was flash filled or not.... but I guess that's the whole point.

 

[InfiniteZero]

I know in most cases you try to avoid flare, but I think for some shots it works.

I also like #2 a lot. No flash fill, just tried metering on different places till I found the sweet spot, then just a little bit of level and hue adjustment in photoshop. Also used a B+W haze filter.

Flickr is blocked at work, so I can't see your pic drex. I'll take a look at home...



Here's another shot I posted in the Landscape forum as well. Not too much traffic over there...

 

[AgentDrex]

Its not much InfiniteZero...

I'm the Network/Systems Admin where I work...so I don't block my co-workers...just the clients...its good to be king...

Nice photos though...I like shooting into the sun as well...what I really like to do...take one friend...a sun...and place friend between camera and sun...take photo of dark silhouette and shake friend violently afterwards...the last bit is optional...