How can I create starburst light streaks from streetlights in a photo?
Asked 2/10/2013
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2 answers
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I saw a photo where streetlights had clean, linear streaks radiating from them. How is this effect created in-camera? I’d prefer a shooting technique, but I’m also interested in whether filters or Photoshop can be used. Would the same approach work indoors if there is more ambient light? I use a Nikon D7000.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
7
This shot has been taken with star 4 filter. You could simulate it with photoshop, but I prefer to put a filter and have that effect while shooting.
There are multiple different start filters: star 4, star 6, star 8 - number tells how many streaks from each strong light point you will get.
As for the second part, it does not matter outdoors or indoors, as long as you have strong light sources (small light sources, like lamps, not blown-out windows or any other big surfaces).
Originally by user16075. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user16075
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Those light streaks are usually created in one of two ways:
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Small aperture (in-camera diffraction): Use a tripod and stop the lens down to a narrow aperture such as f/16 or f/22. Bright point light sources like streetlights or lamps can produce a starburst effect. Try a range of apertures, since the exact look depends on the lens.
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Star filter: A 4-point, 6-point, or 8-point star filter placed on the lens creates fixed streaks from bright lights. The number indicates how many rays appear.
This can work indoors or outdoors as long as you have small, bright light sources. Lamps work better than large bright areas like windows.
Photoshop can simulate the effect, but if you want a natural result straight from the camera, use a small aperture or a star filter.
One note: the sample image may have involved more than just starbursts, since a blue dusk sky usually suggests some ambient light while the subject appears sharply frozen.
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