| How do you do that? Starbursts |
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 Many of my photographs taken at dusk or dawn include starbursts surrounding the bright lights in the frame (click on the photo to get a better view). People often wonder how I do that.
These starbursts are actually produced naturally. They show up around bright points of light whenever I'm taking long exposures in low light.
Technically, the starbursts are caused by refraction of the bright light off the lens aperture. The aperture is a near-circular opening in the lens made of overlapping blades. The blades are adjusted to make the aperture bigger or smaller, which controls the amount of light passing through the lens.
Because the aperture isn't perfectly circular, just a tiny bit more light gets through at the points where the blades overlap. This isn't significant enough to see in most photographs. But when a bright light appears in a photograph that uses a long exposure, that extra light builds up to create the starburst pattern. |
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"Beauty and Serenity" |
 The voice mail from Michelle Rabideau of Saint Mary's Health Care came while I was out shooting a Lake Erie lighthouse at sunset. "We were thrilled with the materials you sent us and hoped that you would consider being our next guest artist..."
Well I was pretty thrilled myself! Later Michelle gave me this wonderful testimonial:
Steve's work expresses a sense of beauty and serenity, which are two important reasons why he was selected as our next artist in the Guest Artist Series. Saint Mary's Health Care is committed to displaying art that enhances our environment and enriches the experience for our patients, families, visitors and associates - Steve's photography does just that.
So if you wonder what my photos look like in real life, not just online at Great Lakes Editions, stop in at St. Mary's at 200 Jefferson SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My work will be on display in the lobby from September 10 through the end of October.
Purchases from the guest artist program help bring the lasting presence of healing art into the patient rooms and public spaces of the hospital. Twenty-five percent of each sale is contributed to the Art Fund of Saint Mary's Doran Foundation. |
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Congrats to Stacy Niedzwiecki |
 Last month I invited subscribers to help me reach more people. Each time you forwarded the August issue, you got one entry for a 5x7 matted print of your choice--a $65 value.
Thanks so much to all who entered. The name we drew was Stacy Niedzwicki. She chose this shot of the Little Sable lighthouse.
I chose this image because this was the first year I had the opportunity to visit the Little Sable myself. It's a lovely place! I discovered it first in mid-June. Then, I went up once again this past Labor Day weekend and brought my family with me. The lighthouse was open for tours that weekend - so we had a chance to climb all the way up to the top to take in the great view. It was a beautiful day, and I took plenty of my own photographs. However, the sky was crystal-clear blue - nice - but not as interesting as this image. I love how your photo captured the sky accented with dabs of white clouds.
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Buy a Print...Get a Free Box of Matching Cards!
Offer good through September 30 |
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 For the month of September I'd like to make this special offer. Purchase a print, matted or unmatted, 12x18 or larger, and I'll send you a box of 6 matching cards. Free!
It's a great way to share the pleasure of your new purchase with family and friends. When you send one of my Keepsake Cards, you're giving a lasting gift of art. I use the same quality materials to make my Keepsake Cards as my fine art photographic prints. Each card will fit perfectly in a 5x7 frame and will last, with care, for generations.
Feel free to forward this newsletter (and offer) to a friend. Simply use the link at the bottom of this email. |
