Shooting the Sun

[sayzey]

Hey, I've just splashed out on a new camera Sony Cybershot DSC-V1 (It was on offer) and I've been reading the instructions whilst waiting anxiously for the battery t charge so i can go and do some snapping, and something caught my eye I wasnt sure of.

It says in the manual NEVER to point the camera at the sun, now from the point of view of looking atthe sun through the viewfinder/with naked eye etc this is a definate no-no because you could go blind, however taking shots using the LCD screen surely this is different?

I really like taking sunrise/sunset photos and don't want to damage m camera, and basically would like to know the risks of this type of photography bearing in mind I'm quite new to the photography world, with a new camera, I have no filters etc, and dont really know anything about them, so any help no matter how general woudl be appreciated. i.e a link to another site etc

Thanks

[joseelias]

I believe they mean shooting the sun between the sunrise and sunset, when it is very strong but just for caustion they do not specify this. In the mentioned periods the sun is very weak and poses no danger for you to look at it and take photos I believe.

But if you focus to the sun during the day, even using the LCD, I think you can damage the camera becase the lens may intensify the sun strengh and "fry" the CCD sensor... A bit like a maginifing glass can start a fire just using the sun rays and pointing to a paper or straw.

[S5000]

Hey Mark.
Shooting the sunrise or the sunset makes great shots if composed right. I've seen lots of them and VERY few get my attention.
Shoot alot, however, be different, make it inviting to view. I can sit at a resort, compose some coconut trees the ocean, beach, etc. Yawn!!!! be different get something of interest in there, watch for intense clouds, wave action, archetecture, the list goes on.
USE a TRIPOD, your pictures will be that much more clearer.
Whatever you do, keep that sun away from dead center of the photograph, rule of thirds.

Here's a tip for all who are reading this, before any kind of shot, see it as though you are looking through the view finder. That's what I do when I'm looking for shots, I see it in my mind, If it's a potential shot, I then go for it.

It's like looking at things through a rectangle. Raise your left hand at eye level, point thumb down, point index finger horizontaly to the right, now raise your right hand and the the opposite, put them together, you have a rectangle. Excelent, as one is learning the principle, it will come naturally without looking like a...So, this what you will be doing in your mind. Get it? Alright!!!!!!!

Mike :) :) :)