What Is Lens Flare?
Lens flare is an optical effect that occurs when bright light scatters or reflects within a camera lens, causing unwanted streaks, halos, or washed-out areas in an image. It happens when direct light, such as sunlight or artificial lights, enters the lens and interacts with its internal elements. While lens flare can sometimes ruin a photo by reducing contrast and clarity, it can also be used creatively to add a dreamy or cinematic feel to images.
Quick Facts About Lens Flare:
✅ Lens flare is more common in wide-angle and zoom lenses.
✅ High-quality lenses with anti-reflective coatings can reduce flare.
✅ Lens flare can create artistic effects if used intentionally.
✅ Using a lens hood can help minimize unwanted flare.
✅ The positioning of the light source plays a key role in flare formation.
Types of Lens Flare
1. Ghosting Flare
Ghosting flare appears as bright, circular spots or streaks in an image. These artifacts result from multiple reflections inside the lens elements. The shape of the ghosting flare often matches the aperture blades of the camera lens.
2. Veiling Flare
Veiling flare occurs when light scatters inside the lens, reducing image contrast and color saturation. This type of flare creates a hazy effect across the entire photo, making it appear washed out.
3. Starburst Effect
When a bright light source, such as the sun, is directly in the frame and the lens aperture is small (e.g., f/16 or f/22), the light creates star-like rays. This effect can be desirable in night photography but may cause unintended flare.
4. Sensor Flare (Red Dot Flare)
This type of flare is more common in digital cameras, especially mirrorless ones. It appears as tiny red dots in the image due to internal reflections between the sensor and the lens elements.
Causes of Lens Flare
Several factors contribute to lens flare, including:
✔ Strong Light Sources: Direct sunlight or artificial lights are the primary causes of flare.
✔ Lens Quality: Low-quality lenses are more prone to flare due to poor optical coatings.
✔ Lens Design: Zoom lenses with multiple elements have a higher chance of producing flare compared to prime lenses.
✔ Dirty Lens Surface: Dust, smudges, and fingerprints scatter light, increasing the chances of flare.
✔ Camera Angle: The angle at which light enters the lens determines the intensity of the flare.
How to Avoid Lens Flare
1. Use a Lens Hood
A lens hood helps block stray light from hitting the lens, significantly reducing unwanted flare. Most professional photographers always use a lens hood when shooting in bright conditions.
2. Adjust Camera Position
Changing your shooting angle can help minimize the effect of flare. Positioning the light source slightly outside the frame often reduces flare while maintaining image clarity.
3. Use High-Quality Lenses
Lenses with advanced anti-reflective coatings, such as Photeeq lens flare-resistant lenses, reduce internal reflections, helping to minimize flare. Investing in high-quality glass can make a noticeable difference in image quality.
4. Shoot with a Larger Aperture
Using a wider aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4) reduces the number of reflections inside the lens, thereby minimizing flare. However, this may affect the depth of field, so adjustments are necessary.
5. Block Light Manually
If a lens hood isn’t enough, you can use your hand, a piece of cardboard, or another object to shield the lens from direct light. Be careful to ensure the blocking object doesn’t enter the frame.
How to Use Lens Flare Creatively
Although lens flare is often considered a flaw, many photographers use it intentionally to create artistic effects. Here’s how:
1. Create a Cinematic Look
In movies and photography, lens flare adds a natural and immersive feel. Shooting toward the sun or a bright light source can enhance the mood of an image.
2. Add Warmth and Emotion
Sun flare, particularly during golden hour (early morning or late afternoon), adds a dreamy, romantic effect to portraits and landscape photography.
3. Experiment with Angles
Changing the angle of your camera while keeping the light source in the frame allows you to control the intensity and shape of the flare.
4. Try Different Lenses
Some lenses, such as vintage lenses or those without modern coatings, produce unique and dramatic flare effects. Experimenting with different lenses can lead to creative results.
Common Mistakes When Dealing with Lens Flare
❌ Ignoring Lens Cleanliness: A dirty lens amplifies flare, making images look overly washed out.
❌ Overusing Flare Intentionally: While artistic flare can enhance photos, too much can make them look unprofessional.
❌ Using Low-Quality Lenses: Budget lenses often lack proper coatings, leading to excessive flare.
❌ Shooting Directly into Harsh Light Without Planning: Proper composition is necessary when incorporating flare for creative effects.
Final Thoughts
Lens flare is a fascinating aspect of photography that can either be an unwanted distraction or a creative tool, depending on how it’s used. Whether you’re looking to avoid it for sharp, high-contrast images or embrace it for artistic flair, understanding its causes and effects is crucial.
By using high-quality gear, proper camera techniques, and creative experimentation, you can master the art of controlling lens flare in your photography. Whether you choose to eliminate it with tools like the Photeeq lens flare filters or harness it for an aesthetic touch, the key lies in knowing when and how to use it effectively.