Is it me or my camera?

[PhotoJason]

Hello everyone. I am going to display 2 photos that i did that i cannot figure out what went wrong. You will notice the Light bursts on them at different ares. The first one look at the head. Theres a small light burst in cete. It was shot with a Canon 40D at 2.8 Ap and 500 ISO, on the AV setting, no flash.. The second, look at the knee, it has the same sort of light burst. Shot almost the same as the first. Is this an isue with my camera or the user? Any help would be welcomed. Thanks

[MB1]

Is your lens clean?

[PhotoJason]

yes its a brand new lense.

[PhotoJason]

is this characteristic of dirt in the lense

[JerryLi]

You are letting the camera's meter determine the exposure (all the tree lights are giving off light and are brighter than the faces.) You need to meter the face up close and then set the camera [on manual mode?] and perhaps bracket your exposures. Using a flash for fill-light won't hurt either. You have the camera picking the exposure and this time it is not as smart as you in choosing the correct light balance and exposure.

[mjs1973]

Do you have a UV filter on your lens?

[PhotoJason]

No i dont have a UV its just a clear cover. So this seems to be more of a user isue over camera issue you think?

[mjs1973]

What do you mean by clear cover?

No, I don't think it's a user issue. I think it's a light reflecting off of something issue.

[PhotoJason]

i appologize, on this lense i do have a UV lense cover. Also i forgot to mention the lense im using is a Cano Zoom Lens EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS USM

[MB1]

New has nothing to do with clean. Just look at the front of the lens for finger prints, streaks and dust. Wouldn't hurt to look and see if there is anything amiss inside the lens-just don't hold it up to a bright light while looking inside it.

[mjs1973]

i appologize, on this lense i do have a UV lense cover. Also i forgot to mention the lense im using is a Cano Zoom Lens EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS USM

I would suggest taking the UV filter off of the lens and reshooting the scene. It looks like it's causing a reflection of the lights

[Greg McCary]

It looks to me like it's reflecting back into the UV filter.

[fred333]

That is a tough one. I think it is the camera.

[Frog]

I think it is probably reflection off filter, too.

[EOSThree]

Looks like flare from light bouncing between elements in the lens, in this case it's probably the element you added the clear filter. Photos taken directly into any light source are prone to lens flare.

[PhotoJason]

im happy to report, after another shoot tonight, same conditions and same settings, i have experiance no flair ups. I recleaned the lenses and took of the UV lense cover. thanks to all who helped today. i appreciate everyones quick response and suggestions. happy holiday

[Pose]

I've always opt for the lens hood rather than filter. If you're using it for protection, that is.

[DrRoebuck]

I think these circumstances were ripe for lens-flare. Again, I think. Only because of all the reflections and light sources on the tree in the background.

[DiRt DeViL]

Remove any filter and try again in M mode.

[photophorous]

Sounds like you've got it fixed, but you might try using your lens hood if the problem returns.

[yogestee]

Hmmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,looks like Christmas Tree Faeries to me...We get them every Christmas...The little buggers have a habit of re-arranging the presents under the tree and leaving the wrapping paper all messy on Christmas Night!!

Merry Christmas
Jurgen