Matt Grunau
Adobe Demigod
Long title, sorry about that.
I have noticed a strange optical effect that happens usually though trees in winter when there is ice on the branches and is backlit by the moon or something like a streetlight. It's best in winter, because there are no leaves, though I have seen it happen during summer months through light foliage.
Here's the best I can describe it:
Imagine looking at a streetlight through the branches of trees. For some reason, the specular highlights on the branches always forms a circular pattern. It doesn't matter what angle you look, you can change positions, and the effect it the same. I think when the branches are wet with dew, or have ice on them, the water helps accentuate the effect, though it can happen with dry branches, just not as pronounced.
I am just curious if anyone else has seen this, and why the pattern of light hitting the branches is always round.
It's not something you can see in the daytime, only at night where light is much less.
I am sure optically there is a reason for it, but I have searched everywhere for an example and explination and can't find anything. I've tried to replicate the look in Photoshop with just a photo of the branches backlit, but I can't get satisfactory results.
Since there are so many photographers here, and since a lot of you like night pics and like to shoot nature, I was hoping someone had a pic, or even if someone has seen what I mean. Sometimes, when there is a little fog, you even get a bit of volumetric type lighting, which accentuates it even more.
It's a really cool phenomenon, and I was just curious.
I have a side and personal project where I would like to have this included, but I for the last four nights, searching around outside my house, I have been unable to get it.
Any help, pics, or just people that have seen it and can offer some advice on maybe how to set up properly to shoot one, or if anyone has ever just seen it would be great.
Thanks all.
M.
EDIT: Found some ones that were close, but not as clear as I would like:
I have noticed a strange optical effect that happens usually though trees in winter when there is ice on the branches and is backlit by the moon or something like a streetlight. It's best in winter, because there are no leaves, though I have seen it happen during summer months through light foliage.
Here's the best I can describe it:
Imagine looking at a streetlight through the branches of trees. For some reason, the specular highlights on the branches always forms a circular pattern. It doesn't matter what angle you look, you can change positions, and the effect it the same. I think when the branches are wet with dew, or have ice on them, the water helps accentuate the effect, though it can happen with dry branches, just not as pronounced.
I am just curious if anyone else has seen this, and why the pattern of light hitting the branches is always round.
It's not something you can see in the daytime, only at night where light is much less.
I am sure optically there is a reason for it, but I have searched everywhere for an example and explination and can't find anything. I've tried to replicate the look in Photoshop with just a photo of the branches backlit, but I can't get satisfactory results.
Since there are so many photographers here, and since a lot of you like night pics and like to shoot nature, I was hoping someone had a pic, or even if someone has seen what I mean. Sometimes, when there is a little fog, you even get a bit of volumetric type lighting, which accentuates it even more.
It's a really cool phenomenon, and I was just curious.
I have a side and personal project where I would like to have this included, but I for the last four nights, searching around outside my house, I have been unable to get it.
Any help, pics, or just people that have seen it and can offer some advice on maybe how to set up properly to shoot one, or if anyone has ever just seen it would be great.
Thanks all.
M.
EDIT: Found some ones that were close, but not as clear as I would like:
Last edited:
