Sunspots

Watershed Nature Center
Photograph by Tom Atwood

No one looks good in harsh sunlight, including my lens. The sun reveals, and even highlights, imperfection. When I took this photograph of the frozen wetland at the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, I didn't realize there were tiny particles of dust (or ice?) on my lens. Not until I enlarged the picture and saw all the flares and spots around the sun. Sunspots. In the interest of rationalizing, I have decided the spots add interest to the photo, making the sun seem to almost explode in the sky. 

Next time, I'll wipe off my lens.

Shutter: 1/100; Aperture: f/22; ISO: 100; Focal length: 18 mm