November 24, 2012

How To Create Star Bursts In Your Photos



How To Create Star Bursts In Your Photos 

 The lights of Christmas are magical. Make even more magic with a quick technique to turn your photograph’s lights into stars.
Two things help create star bursts, a small aperture and slow shutter speed. If you hand hold your camera your results will be blurry, so grab your tripod or flat firm surface. This technique works best with traditional Christmas lights. LED lights, not so well.
  1. Place your camera on a tripod or stable surface.
  2. Select Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV).
  3. Move your Aperture to f/22, your camera will select the appropriate shutter speed.
  4. Focus on your subject. Manual focus may be necessary in low light situations.
  5. Select your self timer mode to avoid any camera shake.
  6. Press the shutter. Your camera’s shutter will remain open for longer than your typical photo.
  7. Check your results. A star burst will appear around each of the lights in your photo.
No star burst? Close your aperture more (a bigger f/ number).
Play with your aperture and shutter speed combination to see the stars you can create. 
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Ready to take holiday photos you love? Join Katrina for Your Holidays Captured Through The Lens  a two-week online class. Class begins December 4th. 

To Enter: Visit captureyour365.com come back here and leave a comment telling us one thing you'd like to learn to improve your photography skills.
Contest Closes: November 28th, midnight MST. One winner will be chosen at random, contacted & posted here.

>> CONTEST CLOSED <<


WINNER is Shantell! (please email contest@persnicketyprints.com)
Thank you ALL for participating. You can still take this class- and find all kinds of photography tips at captureyour365.com!

Class is delivered through 7 downloadable PDF’s, two videos, and a LIVE webinar (that is also recorded) No need to be anywhere at a specific time during your busy holidays! YOU can make this class fit YOUR schedule.

-Katrina Kennedy

Katrina Kennedy is passionate about documenting the everyday moments of her life.
Visit CaptureYour365 for ideas+inspiration+support for your everyday photography. Get on her
list for free daily photography prompts.


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32 comments:

  1. StacieNovember 24, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    I can't wait to try the starburst technique! I want to learn how to actually USE my camera without the flash or auto mode, taking clear pictures of my toddler. I miss too many shots because she is on the move or I don't like them because I had to use the flash. I'd love to fix this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jeri PettingillNovember 24, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    Katrina is wonderful. I am enjoying her daily email. I would love to have a chance to take her class.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katrina KennedyNovember 24, 2012 at 11:38 AM

      Jeri, that is the sweetest comment. So glad you are enjoying the daily email!

      Delete
  3. BunnyfreakNovember 24, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    I would love to learn how to take better photos of my pets.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ErikaNovember 24, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    The exposure class looks like just what I need! I also really enjoy receiving Katrina's daily emails :) Thanks for the chance to win a spot in this class!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SharonNovember 24, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    I would love to learn how to use the camera I have had for years now, only know basically the auto mode. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  6. DawnNovember 24, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    I'd love to learn what settings are best for different sorts of photos, I never use the camera of auto!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Patty Del RosaNovember 24, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    I am very challenged when it comes to taking photos that I want to document our everyday lives. I would like to improve my overall skills; especially lighting for pictures indoors.

    ReplyDelete
  8. anitaNovember 24, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    I would like to use manual mode more. I do a 365 and would like to be better organized.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownNovember 24, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    I want to learn how to take pictures not on the UFO setting! I know nothing about my awesome camera and I need to learn!

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  10. AnonymousNovember 24, 2012 at 3:12 PM

    That was fun to learn and Katrina is a great teacher.

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  11. AnonymousNovember 24, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    I tried it and LOVED IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The MomNovember 24, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    I want to learn more about setting my camera to use shutter speed instead of just aperture settings. I am finally getting the hang of manual but shutter speed just really confuses me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AliciaJeanNovember 24, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    I would like to improve my low level lighting shots, not only objects (can't wait to try the star effect) but also with people. I love Katrina's classes; she is a terrific instructor and effectively communicate those ideas and techniques that other instructors don't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katrina KennedyNovember 24, 2012 at 7:59 PM

      AliciaJean, thank you so much. I'm honored and humbled by your comment!

      Delete
  14. blupixyNovember 25, 2012 at 8:08 AM

    Would love to learn how to take better pictures with my camera and to do that I am going to have to challenge myself. A class like this might just be the motivation I need! Thanks for the chance to win a spot in this class.

    ReplyDelete
  15. EllieNovember 25, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Still learning the Manual Mode still get nervous at times as I can't figure what numbers to be at in certain places. Now I want to run & put up my tree :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katrina KennedyNovember 25, 2012 at 6:34 PM

      Me too Ellie! I cannot wait to put our tree up, but I promised hubby I'd show some restraint this year!

      Delete
  16. MonicaNovember 25, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    The holidays always involve indoor evening activities. I'd love to know how to take better photos in those situations! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  17. skgberryNovember 25, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    I realy should learn to shoot in manual rather than auto. I also need to learn to nail the focus---even on auto I sometimes miss.

    ReplyDelete
  18. mnJenLNovember 25, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    I love getting her daily email. I'd love to take this class to learn more how to take photos of lights at night. We take walks around our neighborhood around Christmas and we go to a holiday night parade downtown with all the lights turned off except the lit floats. Would love to have better pics of that.

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownNovember 25, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Can't wait to try this technique. Just signed up to get Katrina's newsletters. Would love to learn how to USE my camera in general. Definitely need to learn how to use aperature and shutter speed for low lighting situations and action shots. DEFINITELY ACTION SHOTS! lol....all of my kids are in some kind of sports, indoor and out.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousNovember 25, 2012 at 11:21 PM

    Thanks Persnickety for the wonderful mini how-to create starburst, that's adding sparkles to the photos! And thanks for the link to Katrina's 365 site which I haven't visited earlier. This site was so close to what I am doing now - photo a day! I found treasures in this site :) Oh yes, I love to learn more features that are available in my DSLR which I have been using the Auto mode for long, I hope to explore more into other modes, especially Christmas lighting is so fantastically beautiful! Thanks for a chance to win and be blessed :) -Khloe

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  21. KatySNovember 26, 2012 at 4:23 AM

    I have been doing the Capture Your 365 this past year and I have to say I have had loads of fun. What I like about it is not all of the photos are "staged." Most of them are just get your camera out and shoot type photos. I would like to learn how to add bokeh to a photo and shoot the annual Christmas in the Park lights my city sponsors each year. Thanks, Katrina for your great support.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lesa_KNovember 26, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Katrina through her classes has taught me everything I know about photography where no camera manual or book I bought could. I seriously owe my new found camera skills all to her. Would love to learn a lot more though since everyone can always improve and build on what they know.

    ReplyDelete
  23. KateNovember 26, 2012 at 6:17 AM

    I find myself using auto. I want to use manual mode more often and would like tips and tricks to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  24. senoviaNovember 26, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    I would love to be more creative when choosing subjects for my photos. Yes, the kids, the plane of cookies, and the favorite ornaments are pretty easy, but she makes them so creative. I'd love that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. elseepeNovember 27, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    I would love to learn better composition. I love Katrina's class and she made the transition to manual mode very easy to comprehend.

    ReplyDelete
  26. ShantellNovember 28, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    I just purchased my first DSLR about a month ago and have no idea what I'm doing. So honestly I'd love to learn anything!!! But the holiday class sounds very fun and exciting seeing that Christmas is just around the corner. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete

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