Understanding Lens Flare in Photography and Videography

Lens flare can be a nuisance or a creative, depending on how you handle it. This tutorial explains what lens flare is, why it happens, the types you might see, and how to handle or use it creatively.

What is Lens Flare?

• Lens flare occurs when a powerful light hits your camera lens head-on, scattering light all over the picture.

• This effect can create visible artifacts such as light streaks, rings, or a washed-out look.

• Lens flare is most likely to occur due to sunlight. It can blur your pictures and videos or alter the colours.

The Science Behind Lens Flare

• Flare is when light bounces off inside the lens between different glass parts.
• Light reflects off lens surfaces and aperture blades to form patterns or haze based on angle and lens design.
• Increased optical components in lenses translate to increased likelihood of flaring unless coated.

Types of Lens Flare

1. Ghosting Flare

• Ghosting is when you receive shapes or orbs in your picture that usually show the reflection of the light.
• It's typically round and frequently colorful, particularly with electronic sensors.

2. Veiling Flare

• Flare veiling reduces the contrast of images by superimposing a white or washed-out overlay.
• It's less obvious than ghosting, but it can make the image look flat and reduce details.

Common Causes of Lens Flare

1. Positioning the Direct Light Source

• Shooting towards light sources or the sun's direction increases the flare risk.
• Light passing through the lens at acute angles is more likely to be scattered.

2. Lens Quality and Coating

• Affordable lenses usually do not have anti-reflective coatings, and thus they produce more flare.
• High-quality lenses are created to reduce internal reflections by special coatings and optical design.

3. Filter Use

• Dirty or low-quality filters may cause lens flare to rise exponentially.
• Even quality filters produce reflections unless they are multi-coated.

Creative Uses of Lens Flare

1. Cinematic Aesthetic

• Directors often use lens flare for intentional reasons to produce realism, grit, or drama.
• For a distinctive look, films such as J.J. Abrams' Star Trek employed bright lens flare.

2. Mood and Atmosphere

• Flare can produce dreamy, nostalgic, or warm feeling color tones in photos and video.
• Backlit portrait with soft flare tends to produce a soft, welcoming feel.

3. Depth and Focus

• Flare elements can be used to highlight an object or add depth by putting light in the foreground.
• It also helps separate the subject from the background in certain lighting conditions.

When Lens Flare Becomes a Problem

• It can produce distracting artifacts or decrease overall image quality when used excessively.
• Lens flare sometimes hides significant subjects or details in your photo.
• In commercial, product, or commercial photography, flare is typically avoided to keep things clean.

How to Prevent or Control Lens Flare

1. Use a Lens Hood

• A lens hood prevents stray light from lighting your lens from the sides.
• It is the easiest and best means to reduce unwanted glare outside.

2. Change Your Shooting Angle

• Slightly moving or adjusting the angle of the frame can prevent direct light from falling on the lens.
• You may also block the light from the lens using your hand or an object.

3. Choose Lenses with Anti-Flare Coatings

• Modern lenses also have special coatings that minimize glare.
• Prime lenses with fewer components tend to create less glare than zoom lenses.

4. Clean Your Lens Regularly

• Dirt, dust, or marks on your lens or filter can spread light and make flare worse.
• Always clean your lens thoroughly before taking photos in sunlight.

Lens Flare in Post-Production

• If unwanted flare sneaks into your shots, software like Lightroom or Photoshop can help reduce it.
• Directors can use Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve plugins to remove or add flare effects.
• You may also use digital lens flares in post-production to achieve a certain mood or lighting aesthetic.

Conclusion: Embrace or Eliminate?

• Whether to use or eliminate lens flare is up to you and your style.
• For emotional resonance, storytelling, or cinematic style, flair can be an extremely effective creative collaborator.
• For crisp, clear commercial or documentary shooting, control of flare is usually a requirement.

Final Tips for Photographers & Videographers

1. Try your lens in different lighting situations to see how it reacts to flare.
2. Shoot in RAW so you can change later if the flare needs to be tweaked.
3. Experiment using flare intentionally during golden hour or sunset for stunning results.
4. Observe the masters—watch how experts use (or avoid) flare on big-budget projects.
5. Know your audience—flair can produce style or distraction based on the circumstances.