On my photography wish list is a lens hood. I’m getting better at recognizing lens flare (those green or yellow spots that show up on the photo when the camera is pointed toward the sun) so I can shade the lens with my hand before snapping the picture.

But sometimes, I like having the sun in the shot! I’m still waiting for that perfect photo with the line of lens flare circles perfectly drawing the eye to the subject. In the meantime, I’m practicing with rays of sunlight. 

This photo was taken for a July 2009 challenge at www.afterfivedesigns.com. (Challenge no longer posted.) The sun was low in the sky, and I positioned the camera so the rays would wrap around my daughter, warmly framing her face and chest.

wrapped in rays of sun

Layout element credits:

Paper and most elements from Citrus Zest by Cinnamon
Frame from Cozy Cottage by Cinnamon
Green bow w white tag, curly green string from Pink Lemonade by K Studio
Butterfly from Sweet Temptation collab by K Studio and FruitLoop Sally
Gnarled wood walking stick from Wedding by Lily
Thin grapevines from Flitting Fall by Lorie Davison