hoym 0 #1 September 23, 2003 I expect there is a real photograph name for the sun spots that sometimes appear on some of the pictures that I take. See the attached picture. It would have been a decent exit shot except for the hexagonal shaped sun spots. So... does anyone know... What are they really called? What causes them? How can I avoid getting them? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #2 September 23, 2003 try a polarized filter to put on your lense.. that should help reduce that..... but im not a profesianl photographer either......... i dont know aht they are called Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami 0 #3 September 23, 2003 Hey Hoym, I'm not sure what they are called either, but I believe they are caused by the sun reflecting off of the other elements in the lens onto the front element, where it is picked up on film. Like marks said, a polarized filter should get rid of this. If you are already using a polarized thread then it is beyond me, hopefully some photo guru will answer this. Good luck!Miami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 14 #4 September 23, 2003 Lens Flare. Google it and you'll learn more then you wanted to know about optics.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #5 September 23, 2003 A lens hood will help, but not eliminate that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #6 September 23, 2003 has anyone tried using a Star filter to deal with that effect? I haven't tried with a digi yet, but used to borrow my fathers a lot when i knew i'd be shooting into the sun. It tended to pull as smooth highlight from the bright spot rather then the hex patterns that reflect your iris. matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #7 September 23, 2003 Quote So... does anyone know... What are they really called? What causes them? How can I avoid getting them? Lens flare -- but I think you now know that. Internal reflections of light inside the lens. Everytime light changes mediums (light to air for instance) the index of refraction changes and because of that some light is reflected. Because of the shape of the lens this reflection is off-set somewhat, bounces off the other side of the lens and bounces back again. Some of that light now goes on to the imager. Solution? Have you thought of doing night jumps? Seriously, lens manufacturer's try to cut down on lens flare by coating the lens elements, but unfortunately, if you're shooting almost directly into the sun, like we sometimes HAVE to do in skydiving, there's really nothing you can do.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #8 September 23, 2003 Quotetry a polarized filter to put on your lense.. that should help reduce that..... Actually, no. In reality you'll only add one more refraction to the mix and lose a couple stops of light. I've found that a polarizing filter has very few uses in freefall or swoop shots. Certainly usful in some very specific instances, but as a rule . . . not so much.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 September 23, 2003 And if you're going for the Lens Flare look for that special pic, you can create it very nicely in PS in about 2 seconds.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #10 September 23, 2003 QuoteQuote So... does anyone know... What are they really called? What causes them? How can I avoid getting them? Lens flare -- but I think you now know that. Internal reflections of light inside the lens. Everytime light changes mediums (light to air for instance) the index of refraction changes and because of that some light is reflected. Because of the shape of the lens this reflection is off-set somewhat, bounces off the other side of the lens and bounces back again. Some of that light now goes on to the imager. Solution? Have you thought of doing night jumps? Seriously, lens manufacturer's try to cut down on lens flare by coating the lens elements, but unfortunately, if you're shooting almost directly into the sun, like we sometimes HAVE to do in skydiving, there's really nothing you can do. haha, I was trying to post just that when my computer went to hell. Also: a star filter really isn't going to help, most likely the filter is of low quality (so many are) and will only make the flare worse. Same thing with the polarized, they are more for reducing indirect light problems. They are good at reducing glare and haze. The only thing that I could think that they might do in a skydiving setting is to enhance the blue of the sky and make any clouds that are in the background stand out some. Thats one of the things that I used them for on the ground. I don't really have any experience with skydiving photography though, all my pictures have been taken on the ground.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #11 September 23, 2003 You want to get RID of lens flares? Odd. I like putting them in... _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheMonkey 0 #12 September 23, 2003 QuoteWhat causes the sun spots on these pictures? the sun --------------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,618 #13 September 24, 2003 QuoteQuotetry a polarized filter to put on your lense.. that should help reduce that..... Actually, no. In reality you'll only add one more refraction to the mix and lose a couple stops of light. I've found that a polarizing filter has very few uses in freefall or swoop shots. Certainly usful in some very specific instances, but as a rule . . . not so much. How about a circularly polarizing filter between the lens elements? (just brainstorming here, have done no analysis).... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #14 September 24, 2003 I'm still thinkin' not so much help and a lot less light.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
