Lens Flare

Lens flare is a phenomenon that occurs when bright light enters the camera lens, causing reflections that create spots or streaks in the image. It often happens when capturing images towards the sun or another strong light source. While sometimes considered an unwanted effect, lens flare can also be used creatively.

Lens flare usually occurs when strong light directly hits the camera lens, leading to reflections inside the lens. This is more common with zoom lenses or very intense light sources like sunlight. The light scatters, causing bright spots or streaks on the photograph.

Different lenses can affect the amount and type of lens flare in an image. Lenses with anti-reflective coatings tend to reduce flare, whereas cheaper lenses, which may lack these coatings, can produce more flare. The lens design and quality influence how flare appears in your photos.

There are mainly two types of lens flare: glare and ghosting. Glare is the loss of contrast in a photo due to scattered light, making the image appear washed out. Ghosting involves spots, circles, or streaks in the image, caused by reflections inside the lens.

To avoid lens flare, you can use a lens hood to block out unwanted light, change your shooting angle to keep the light source out of the frame, or shield the lens with your hand. These strategies help maintain the contrast and clarity of your photographs.

Lens flare can be used creatively to add mood or drama to a photo. By intentionally including flare, photographers can achieve a unique effect, giving images a sunny or dreamy feel. Experimenting with flare can enhance the artistic expression in your photos.

A lens hood helps reduce lens flare by blocking stray light from entering the lens, particularly from the sides. It acts as a shield, minimizing the amount of unwanted light that causes reflections and, consequently, flares in your images.

Yes, lens flare can often be minimized or corrected during photo editing. Using photo editing software, you can decrease glare, remove ghosting, and adjust the overall contrast to improve the appearance of your image if lens flare becomes an unwanted element.

Flare is more common in lenses that lack high-quality coatings. Zoom lenses often have more elements that can cause internal reflections, increasing flare. Cheaper lenses often miss anti-reflective coatings, making them prone to more intense flare effects compared to premium lenses.

Completely eliminating lens flare in high-contrast situations is difficult, but it can be greatly reduced. Using a lens hood, changing camera angles, or applying lens coatings can minimize its effect. However, some flare might still occur, especially under challenging lighting conditions.