Photography tips

Light effect

The summit area of Mount Pilatus at sunset with backlit sun

Key tips

  1. Use a small aperture to render sunbeams as distinct light effects.
  2. Position yourself so that a sharp edge of the church partially obstructs the sun to control the light effect.

Photographs on this topic

6 photographs with tips

The exact camera settings for each shot are shown below it - a starting point for recreating the look yourself. Click through to a photograph for detailed photography tips on that specific shot, under "Photography tips for this image".

All subjects Mountains Architecture Landscape Pilatus Lucerne
The summit area of Mount Pilatus at sunset with backlit sun 100 mm · f/25 · 1/1000 s · ISO 800 The Jesuit Church in Lucerne illuminated by the low sun with pedestrians walking on the square in front. 30 mm · f/25 · 1/80 s · ISO 125 Aerial view of the Pilatus Kulm summit in bright sunshine above a cloud layer 15 mm · f/22 · 1/80 s · ISO 160 Sunset over Lake Sempach with a single pole in the water 15 mm · f/22 · 1/25 s · ISO 100 View through an alley towards the purple illuminated Jesuit Church during the Lilu Light Festival in Lucerne 38 mm · f/22 · 10 s · ISO 400 The Wasserturm in Lucerne at night, framed by alley facades and a street lamp. 50 mm · f/18 · 15 s · ISO 400

Related topics

  • Mountains
  • Architecture
  • Landscape
  • Light
  • Camera settings
  • Composition
  • Pilatus
  • Lucerne
  • Evening light
  • Sunset
  • Fog
  • Night
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