Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

Lens Flare Photo Technique

Lens flare, which is caused by light bouncing off the internal elements of a lens, is a photographic technique that adds drama to a shot but which is not to everybody̵7;s taste. In fact, most photographers go to great lengths to avoid it because a photo can be ruined by accidental flare. But sometimes, the exact placement of the flare in context with the rest of the composition may result in a truly spectacular shot, particularly if the flare is subtle rather than overpowering.

Manual Focus
- Take control of focus by switching your camera to manual focusing; auto focus will try to latch onto the brightest part of a scene, such as the sun or any other artificial light, and may be confused by the strong light. Ideally, the subject in your shot needs to be in focus, while the lens flare is simply to provide dramatic effect.
Small Aperture
- Stop down your aperture to a value of at least f13. This means that your shutter speed will be slower than usual, which will accentuate the flare effect. However, because you are pointing the lens into a strong light source, the shutter speed should still be fast enough to ensure your subject is not blurred. A small aperture is used to best effect in night shots, when a camera mounted on a tripod can have an exceptionally slow shutter speed. This results in the much sought-after starburst effect.
Dawn And Dusk
- Shoot at dawn and dusk, as these are the best times of day to point your lens directly into the sun. The light will be softer and the flare less overwhelming. A technique often used by photographers is to diffuse the sun behind a tree, which results in a subtle but visually appealing flare. Shooting at midday, however, is risky because the sun is so powerful it may result in your photo being over-exposed. If you have to shoot in the middle of the day, try to do so at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Hot Spots
- Focus on the so-called hot spot flares in a photo; these can usually be seen through your viewfinder when taking a shot. They are bright reflections that bounce off a reflective area, such as a glass building or a steel helmet. Although hot spots can be a nuisance because of their propensity to make a shot look over-exposed, they can produce flares that accentuate the photo, particularly if a slow shutter speed has led to a specific shape, such as a starburst.

Other Hobbies