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How to Avoid Flares in Pictures

When you are shooting outside, you need to be aware of the possibilities of sun flares appearing in your pictures. Sun flares are the result of shooting directly into, or having the sun appear on an angle, in your pictures. The bright light bounces off the different glass elements inside your lens and the result are bluish, red, purple or orange circular spots on your pictures. Equipment and awareness can minimize the impact of these on your pictures.

Things You'll Need

Lens hood
8-by-8-inch piece of cardboard

Instructions

- 1
  Evaluate the scene you are about to photograph. If you have control over where your subjects or subject is going to be placed, then pick an optimum location where the sun will be behind the plane of the front of the lens. As long as the sun angle does not cross the front of the lens, no sun flares will appear in your picture.
- 2
  Attach a lens hood. Lens hoods are designed to prevent unwanted light from entering into your lens. Lens hoods are specifically designed for the lens you are using. If the lens hood is not designed correctly, it may appear in your picture.
- 3
  Position your hand or a piece of cardboard to the side of your lens. If you cannot control the location of your subject and your lens hood is still letting light into your lens, use your hand or a larger piece of card or cardboard to block the light. When doing this, look through the viewfinder to make sure your hand or cardboard does not appear in the picture.

Photography