47+ Shiny Shots With Sun Flares: Photo Contest Finalists

Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best photos showing sun flares in this photo contest in collaboration with friend, professional photographer and ViewBug member Jessica Drossin.

"This was such a fun contest to judge! First, all of the finalists are very worthy! Such an impressive display of talent! In the end, I decided upon a few guidelines to help me select a winner and honorable mentions among so many terrific entries. I decided to really focus first and foremost on the flare element: Did it feel realistic? Was it an attractive addition? Did it help to focus the viewers attention to something? Was it's placement enhancing to the overall composition?"

Jessica Drossin is an internationally-published, self-taught, fine art portrait photographer based in Los Angeles. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art (Painting), and has worked for video game companies such as Blizzard Entertainment. A professional photographer for five years, she has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Emerging Professional Fine Art Photographer from Digital Photo Pro Magazine.

In case you missed it, check out the Portfolio Interview & Photo Tips Video with Jessica.

Congratulations People's Choice "Brouage, France" by 800ISO

"I love the low light and endless expanse of this image. It feels lush and well-developed. The flare leads my eye to the structure and creek details and works well as a compositional element." - Jessica Drossin

Congratulations Grand Jury Winner "The Pillar" by wolongshan

"I love the vertically oriented composition in this shot. The gradated tones, cool to warm, leading the eye to the dynamic flare is very nicely done. I really enjoy how the artist has provided both detail and softness in this image, and the monolithic rock feels imbued with some sort of prehistoric magic. The reflection is also very nice, echoing the drama at the top of the image." - Jessica Drossin

Congratulations Runner Up "Last Light" by gerrygroeber

"I adore the sun-drenched details in this shot. The flare works wonderfully compositionally to add visual interest to an area that would otherwise be lackluster in comparison to the cloud and landscape details on the right." - Jessica Drossin

Congratulations Runner Up "Gold" by YuliyVasilev

"A perfectly named photo, the gorgeously varied warm tones, interrupted by a path seemingly leading the viewer right into the scene -- and towards the flare -- works wonderfully" - Jessica Drossin

Congratulations Runner Up "Above the Fog" by kathykuhn100

"What a spectacular flare! The subtle spectrum of color, the far-reaching arms of the flare leading us into different areas of the photo, and the way it is compositionally positioned all works flawlessly." - Jessica Drossin

Congratulations Runner Up "Sunrise in Provence II" by francescovaninetti

"I really liked the composition in this shot and how the structure and the flare balance each other on opposite ends of the vibrant field. The soft, warm flare works beautifully with the backlit lavender plant details." - Jessica Drossin

Congratulations Amateur Winner "Sunset in West Virginia" by JeremyMcG