I ♥ Faces - Sun Flare ▌Sierra Vista Photographer, Arizona


Another week, another contest! One thing I LOVE about I ♥ Faces is that it forces me to try new ideas with my camera. First it was silhouettes and now it's "sun flare", which really only ever happens to me on accident and never in a flattering way. So when I looked ahead to this week's contest category I made a point to attempt a purposeful, well-placed sun flare during all my shoots. I was thrilled to achieve the desired look in several images, and though some people, like my mom, still think it's a mistake I should try to correct, I sincerely hope that everyone else thinks it's as cool looking as I do. I personally love the way that you can practically feel the warm sunshine on your face!

(Side note: this little man is holding his beloved "spiderman" action figure in his hand and I didn't have the heart to photo-shop it out... makes his fingers look a little funny, I know...)

My Entry:


Head over to I ♥ Faces to get a much better idea of how neat this effect can be, there are some uber talented folks participating and you are sure to learn a thing or two!

30 comments:

Unknown said... at November 22, 2009 at 10:29 PM

I am so glad you didn't photoshop out spider man! What a cutie! For real. So sweet : )

Christine said... at November 22, 2009 at 10:38 PM

He looks so happy here! Such a sweet shot

Drew said... at November 22, 2009 at 10:39 PM

It's hard enough to capture a moving target, and you managed to add sun flare into the mix. You're amazing!

amanda stratton said... at November 22, 2009 at 10:41 PM

Beautiful shot! And it would be so wrong to photoshop Spiderman out. It really is a perfect moment!

angie {the arthur clan} said... at November 22, 2009 at 10:42 PM

I agree with Drew - this is an amazing shot! Especially when you consider that he is moving. WOWZA!!

I think it's funny that photographers are the ones who love sun flare so much..."regular" people wonder why in the heck we kept that mistake in. LOL!

~Angie
co-founder of I ♥ Faces

Anonymous said... at November 22, 2009 at 10:47 PM

Love his expression.. he is definitely a Spiderman boy! Motion AND sunflare.. yes, we all are in awe. And isn't it funny how the very things that win contests are viewed with suspicion and dismay by the average person? My husband thinks I've regressed in my photog skills since I've tried to add things like this to my bag of tricks..

Rosina said... at November 22, 2009 at 11:01 PM

This is so great! And it's funny what your mom thinks--that's what my husband thinks, too. :) What a beautifully compositioned photograph. Well done!

Skeller said... at November 22, 2009 at 11:39 PM

wow! Fall and Flare?!?! I love the gorgeous, glowy, glorious feel of this photo!

tiff(threeringcircus) said... at November 23, 2009 at 4:01 AM

I always love your photos. Always.

K. said... at November 23, 2009 at 4:45 AM

I love it! And I love it even more because you left the Spidey in there... this tells such a great story :)

Heather said... at November 23, 2009 at 5:25 AM

I love this capture - the light and the life is expressed well :)

the monkeys' mama said... at November 23, 2009 at 5:57 AM

ADORABLE! it looks like he is so happy! This picture just made me feel warm and happy, too!

Christina said... at November 23, 2009 at 6:17 AM

Lovely sun flare, and great emotion! :)

*Jess* said... at November 23, 2009 at 6:52 AM

I just love this one!!

Sarah said... at November 23, 2009 at 7:15 AM

That's beautiful! I love how happy he looks, you captured it beautifully. The sun flare just adds an extra soft touch to the photo, I love it!

Karyn said... at November 23, 2009 at 8:09 AM

Okay, little secret reveal, when processing this picture I used the free action "Old West" from Pioneer Woman's website! Go there and download now! Now, I did customize it and didn't use it at full strength but I am convinced that there is a certain soft element to that action that enhanced this particular flare.

Unknown said... at November 23, 2009 at 8:15 AM

I like it! Great face and sweet, sweet photo! I'm glad you kept Spidey in there! The flare is perfect!

The Animator's Wife said... at November 23, 2009 at 8:27 AM

Love that joy. Beautiful!

puna said... at November 23, 2009 at 8:39 AM

Very nice! And he must treasure that spiderman! Thanks for capturing our heros.

Frogmum said... at November 23, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Love the capture - just so happy and sunny - and natural - and brilliant!! :D

Julie Rivera said... at November 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM

This is pure childhood happiness! And, as everyone else noted, the fact that you did this while he was swinging is even more impressive! But we have come to expect to be impressed, haven't we?

Linda Jackman Photography said... at November 23, 2009 at 10:48 AM

love this happy face :)

Stephanie said... at November 23, 2009 at 4:49 PM

Great picture. He's cute and I love your flare.

Lauren W said... at November 23, 2009 at 7:34 PM

This photo is fantastic! I love the composition, the expression, the sun flare... It totally seems to capture him :)

Marice said... at November 24, 2009 at 6:57 AM

love how the sun flare highlights its emotion :)

u may view mine if u have time

Lyndsey said... at November 24, 2009 at 11:19 AM

What a sweet little boy! He looks so happy, and the colors in the photo add to his smile, and the brightness of the whole thing. Too cute, and nice picture!

Mamí♥Picture said... at November 26, 2009 at 6:55 PM

Aww he is so cute and I love his smile!!
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Unknown said... at November 28, 2009 at 7:32 PM

What an adorable, warm, beautiful entry - 'm glad it was a winner this week!

Karyn said... at November 28, 2009 at 7:51 PM

Well, how stinkin cool is that? I won third place! Been awhile since I placed and out of 354 entries, and Becker the udge no less, I'm honored. Thanks for all the great feedback!

Alisia K said... at November 28, 2009 at 9:56 PM

love this!
beautiful shot! :)

my picture was chosen by the moderators. i was excited! ...one thing i was confused about, though, is that becker mentioned only 200 entries. there was close to double that? interesting...