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From time to time here on my blog I run a post: Photo Failed It Photo To Nailed It! The concept is twofold:
1) I'll share a pair of pictures, along with tips, that illustrate how you can nail a shot;
2) You'll see that pros don't always get it right the first time. :-)

This post: Envision the End Result

The opening image for this post is my favorite image in my Route 66 Gallery. It's an HDR shot taken after sunrise. I processed the image in Photomatix (get a discount here) and then added a bi-color filter in Nik Color Efex Pro.

The key to the starburst effect: wide-angle lens, f/22, have the sun peek out from behind an object. Also: your lens must be spotless. A small speck of dust can look like a big blob in your photo when you are shooting into the sun.

That's the shot I envisioned in my mind's eye. I wanted to photograph the Blue Swallow Motel at Sunrise while shooting into the sun.

The picture below illustrates a photo failure.

The failed shot, taken 10 minutes before I took the Nailed It shot, is a photo failure mostly due to the boring lighting and composition. My apps can help with both.

Use the Search feature in the right-hand column to see other (4 to date) Photo Failed It Photo To Nailed It! posts.

Explore the light,
Rick