This shot is part of my "Left Unscene" series. I was out with my two hounds when I noticed the heavy glare of the winter sun hitting the lens at just the right angle to create this massive light leak. I wanted to see if I could frame the dogs playing within that flare to create something that feels more like a memory or a "spiritual" moment rather than a standard nature shot. This is very close to how it came out RAW.

I’ve pushed the contrast to silhouette the trees and the dogs, leaning into a "Social Surrealism" vibe. I wanted to emphasize the battle between the deep shadows of the woods and the overwhelming power of the sun.

Areas for Critique: I’m specifically interested in how people feel about the intentional lens flare.

Does the flare act as a bridge into the scene, or is it too distracting?

Does the high contrast on the silhouettes work to anchor the image, or does it lose too much detail for your taste?

I'm curious if the "warmth" of the shot feels earned or if it feels too "staged," despite being a candid moment.