Lens Flare: A Flawed Perfection

What is a lens flare? Here, we provide you with the best information about lenses, light flares, and work activities. Sometimes the picture quality gets damaged due to bad lens flares. So, it’s important for you to be more selective in choosing lens flares.

If you are looking for a better picture edition like adding artificial or modified images in a combined way, it’s better to use lens flares. And why not? It will provide you with the best and most real/original images. Nowadays,people like to edit pictures in such a way that it will look original and natural.

The picture above shows the magic that accidental light flares can do to your photo. But what is a lens flare? The camera lens is exposed to a bright source of light. The light enters the lens and reflects within. The intricate patterns within the lens may create an array of geometric artistries, or distractions if you see it that way. So welcome to the world of light flares, an accidental art!

What Is A Lens Flare?

Source: Freepik

Do you remember when you stare directly at the sun and start seeing twinkling hexagons and glare lights everywhere? The same happens with your camera when it sees a bright light directly. This gives birth to the phenomenon of lens flare! The only difference is that it captures the experience in an array of frozen symmetries. Today you will know how to dramatize this experience (lens flare) to freeze the realism of beautiful objects for time immemorial.

How Does The Lens Flare Manifest?

Source: Freepik

When a bright light shines on the camera lens while you are taking a shot, the light rays get scattered within the image and create an array of unexpected photo effects called lens flare. 

Why does Lens Flare effect your photo?

The lens flare creates two types of unintended effects on your photo-

Effects on photos	Cause	Mechanism	Phenomenon
They may appear blurry	Darker regions get more light and brighter regions may appear darker	Light scatters around your lens’ field of view	Indirect Flare
Strange geometries may appear	Light flare may enter your lens and get deflected in certain directions	Light falls directly on the lens and scatters within	Direct Flare

What causes a light flare?

• Lens flare is caused by exposure to bright light. In the outside world, the sun is the light source. 
• If lens flares are undesirable, you can use a lens hood to shade your lens from the sun.

What are the main types of lens flare?

You might “classify” them into three main types:

Frosty Light Flares	Cloudy Light Flares	Sparkling Light Flares
These are geometric patterns- Polygons-which are representations of frozen forms of scattered light within the lens The most common glowing shapes that you can see are hexagons and flowery shapes	Color differences between various objects in the photo can diminish The flare floods over the entire object Gives an impression of the object bathing or basking in the light	The light source emanates sparks and rays all over the photo. The scattering of light can be wavy( circular) or piercing ( linear)

What type of lens should you use if you want to create the most exotic lens flares?

You have three options:

Veiling lens	Broad angle Lens	Seasoned Lens	Anamorphic lens
Works like an array of mirrors Lens are designed with a stack of glasses arranged in certain positions to reflect the light within Gives an impression of falling colors	Covers a huge scenery and depth Small aperture 3 types: Fish eyes: capture wide hemispheres Rectangular lens: Can capture a whole room/hall Tiltable lens: Can capture faraway sceneries in one frame	May have some cracks, openings, or marks which can be used to let the light shine through Depends on the photographer’s skill to use these imperfections to create mesmerizing effects	You can edit your aspect ratio as per your choice This option comes in handy when you need to use artificial flare-inducing props in front of the camera

What are the themes of photography where lens flash can induce a mesmerizing effect?

Lens flare is a flawed beauty that adds a sense of mystic realism everywhere:

1. Streetlife at nighttime 
2. Festivals, events, and celebrations
3. Wedding or romantic couples
4. Architecture, heritage
5. Traveling and journalism
6. Nature, sceneries, and landscapes
7. Sky- sunrise, sunset, moon, and starlight night

How can you create mesmerizing light flares?

Natural Light Flares	Artificial Light Flares
-Utilize the sun to the fullest.  -Focus on the sun at the top and behind your objects.  -Golden hours are the best.	-Try all the exotic-designed flare effects such as Fire Rings.  -You can also design an artificial background sun using Flash.
-Switch between different angles from the sunlight.  -Examine the best shot by yourself.	-Adjust hue, color, and visual warmth to beautify the majestic glow of the sun. Or, you can use automated adjustments such as White Balance.  -Color Temperature Orange Gels can amplify the golden glow of the fake sunlight.
-Capture from various apertures.  -Take several shots if needed.  -Focal lock can block the sunlight, narrow focus can increase your field depth, or you can focus manually.	-Add artificial props such as flashes and LEDs backstage. – You can also create a fake sun using Speedlight.
-Your choice of lens matters.  -Modern lenses have evolved mechanisms to block flares.	-Position your light props at appropriate angles.  -The best position is behind your object.
-At night, make full use of the streetlights to capture glowing rings and pointed rays of light. -Utilize your camera’s dark mode.	-Use a camera flash for enhanced scattering of light flare.

How do you get rid of lens flare?

Natural Lens Flare Blockade	Artificial Lens Flare Blockade
Wipe your lens. The lens should not be clogged with oil, grease, and dust.	Take two shots of the same place-one with flares and one without flares. Align them and mask them.
Turn off the live view, so that you can observe all the geometric shapes that can be captured in your photos.	Sharpen the other features you want to focus on. Just leave out the flare.
Use tripods so that you can circulate your camera around the shot without much difficulty.	Erase the blur by blending the surrounding colors of objects within the flare.
Use the finger to block the sun. You can later erase it artificially.	Simply blur out the flare and let the other features shine.

Why are lens flares considered undesirable?

Lens flare is mostly an accidental occurrence. Because of the following cases, lens flares are indeed undesirable: 

• The colors of the image go haywire! Areas that are supposed to be dark, gain more light and appear brighter. So we lose our focus on the main object. Therefore, all features appear hazy.
• Because of the strong glare, subtle details and shapes within the image become blurry. This is completely undesirable in situations where we need a clear photo of features. 
• In some cases, the reflections, shadows, or geometries that appear because of lens flare may be distracting.
• Light may scatter around the whole frame and the main subject of the picture may get covered by the array of lights.
• Camera lenses cannot focus on the main subject of the picture and their faces may come out as hazy or unclear.

Also, you can check out our Photo Retouching Service

When are lens flares completely undesirable?

Lens flares are undesirable in the following cases:

• • When photos are being clicked for educational purposes: for example, colors of colonies in microbiological settings, or for assignments
  • For forensic purposes: they may affect medical decisions
  • For legal purposes: collecting evidence and identifying criminals
  • For official purposes: for example when surveys are being conducted, or presentations are being prepared.
  • When a live catastrophe is being captured: clear photos may help to identify the victim’s location and identity
  • When a live crime is being captured: to identify the criminals and their atrocities

Conclusion:

Lens flare is a creative domain, so there is no rulebook that you are bound to follow. You just need to hear the calling of your creativity! And keep an open heart to new technologies, angles, techniques, and individual preferences. Let’s celebrate the exotic mistakes of lens flare!

FAQ: 

• What is a light flare?

Bright light source scatters around or within the camera lens and creates mesmerizing or distorting effects when the lens takes a shot. This effect is called lens flare.

• How is a light flare created?

Light enters the lens and deflects within the framework of the lens, causing distortions in the photos. Sometimes, strange hexagonal figures, reflections, or hexagonal features may appear. This is how you create lens flare.

• Can you use lens flare to add etherealism?

Yes, you can induce real-life art in your photos, either naturally or artificially. You can use suitable props, angles, and mirrors. You can also use software to add special light flares that look real.

• How can I get rid of lens flares?

There are many natural and technical ways to get rid of lens flares. You can use lens coating. Or, you can block the light source with the sun. You can also use software to erase the flare using technology.

• How can I create brighter, more beautiful lens flares?

Point your lens to the sun directly. Increase warmth and contrast. Take shots from various angles. Use Adobe Photoshop to amplify the brightness of the flares.

• Which lenses should I use to block light flares?

Use protective covering on lenses or use lens coats. Prefer newer lenses over old ones. 

• How does my choice of lens affect the type of light flare?

Yes. Width, resolution, and field view of the lens affect the type of light flare.

• How does light flare change my photo?

The photo may appear blurry, with distracting figures sprinkled around your objects. Or, it may appear mesmerizing, with the scenery basking in light. Light flares are full of mysteries.

• How does the angle of light affect your light flares?

The position of light determines the angle at which light will enter and deflect in your lens. So, an angle is a crucial factor in determining the quality of lens flare.

• How can you clear your lens to remove flares?

Use a wet tissue or cloth and then rub your lens with a dry cloth. Do not let the water dry out by itself.

• How can I add artificial flares?

You can use the fake lens flares which are available on Adobe Photoshop. Many awesome flare effects are available here.

Read Our Latest Articles-

1. Tips For Best Flattering Portrait Poses
2. Amazing Drawing Ideas For Beginners And Experts
3. A Complete Guide to Imgbb [Enabling Visual Expression]
4. Some Trendy Birthday Photoshoot Ideas 2025
5. Amazing Bikini Poses Ideas [Will Change Your Thoughts]