Lens flare is a common effect used to enhance the look of an image. It is a light-reflection phenomenon in which light entering a lens is scattered by one or more optical elements, typically a cornea and/or iris diaphragm, into one or more directions.
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The dispersion causes some light to leave the lens in a different direction than where it entered and form flares. Lens flare effects can be quite a disaster, but they can help your photos or videos look stylish. They also add a sense of realism to videos, photos, and computer games. To get or avoid lens flare effects in your images, you have to take care of your camera settings, aperture, lenses, and shooting style. The article will be well-detailed. You will learn, with minimal effort, how to get or avoid lens flare effects in your photos.
Quick Camera Settings To Get Lens Flare Effect
- ISO – 100 to 200
- Aperture – f/22
- Focal length – 16mm -35mm
- Shutter Speed – 1/50th of a second
- White Balance – Auto
- Manual mode
Quick Tip
Be free to experiment with your camera setting and features. However, keep your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture low throughout the shooting process.
Lens flare, when wrongfully done, can make your pictures appear terrible. But, we have provided well-detailed information on different methods or techniques you can skillfully employ for your lens flare photographs.
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Best Methods You Can Use To Get Lens Flare Effects In Your Photographs
Lens flare is simply an art of manipulating the sunlight to create some bursts. It requires some levels of creativity, patience, and practice.
Here are some methods to get the best lens flare effects in your photos.
- The Standard Method ( Without Photoshop or Lightroom)
- The Photo Manipulation Method.
The Standard Method
Skilled or professional photographers often use the standard method (without photoshop or lightroom) to get lens flare effects in their videos or images. It involves shooting directly into the sunlight or any other available light source.
This method is the best and most creative way of getting original lens flare or sun flare effects. Do not worry if you are not a professional photographer. This article will guide you on how to do it like an expert.
What You Will Need
- A camera
- An excellent light source
- A tripod
- Remote shutter release
- Solar viewing glasses
- Filters
Tips To Getting Lens Flare Effect Using The Standard Method
Shooting directly at the sun can permanently damage your camera sensor, while your eyes could also get injured looking at the bright sunlight. So, It is advisable to wear solar viewing glasses to protect your eyes and filter your camera to prevent damage.
Here are some tips you can take note of:
- Use filters if you are seeking to aim directly at the sun.
- Use your camera’s live view to protect your eyes from the bright sunlight. If you must use the viewfinder, ensure your camera is already filtered with a licensed solar viewing filter.
- Instead of aiming at the sun, you can look for any well-lit object (like a rock or tree) and shoot the light reflection. Photographing a well-lit object can cause the lens flare to spread across various angles and make your images stand out.
- Keep an eye on the weather condition. Before heading out, ensure the clouds are blue and the sun shining bright. A bad weather condition or temperature can ruin your moment.
- Shoot in RAW mode – Shooting in RAW mode will give you more flexibility in post-processing. So, when possible, shoot in RAW mode.
- Use a tripod and remote shutter release to prevent camera shakes and blurry lens flare effects.
- Wait for the right time – Unlike other forms of photography, the best hour to get crisp lens flare effects is at sunrise or sunset. Meanwhile, experts prefer shooting at midday when the sun is high and bright. So, set your timing right according to the grade of gear.
- Keep your ISo low to get an epic lens flare effect.
Great Standard Method Lens Flare Effect Ideas
If you are experimenting with the standard method, here are some professional lens effect ideas you can try today.
- Play with your aperture – the amount of your camera opening determines the size and quality of flare effect you will create.
- Add the foreground to your images – to make the flare effect look detailed and brilliant.
- Shoot from behind a rock or tree – you will be surprised at the results you will get.
You have gotten the needed tools and learned the best tips and ideas; it is time to learn how to do it with minimal effort.
Start Getting Lens Flare Effect With The Standard Method
1. Look for a suitable location
A good lens flare is not just about the light but also about what surrounds it. So, find a location with a lot of natural light, and then find an object to frame your shot.
2. Set up your gear
Level your tripod on the floor and mount your camera. Then, adjust your camera settings and play with the features to discover the most suitable.
3. Focus on the sunlight or reflection
You have set up your gear and camera setting, aim at the sunlight or reflection and take some test shots. Test shots help you discover the most suitable camera settings for your location. Be free to experiment with your camera’s focal length and aperture. And, do not forget to photograph from different angles.
The standard method of getting lens flare effects can be challenging and tiresome. So, here’s an alternative technique for getting lens flare effects.
The Photo manipulation method
This method employs post-processing applications or software like photoshop or lightroom to create fake lens flare effects. Although this method is not the best, it is the most leisurely method of getting lens flare effects.
Unlike the first method, all you need to create a lens flare effect is a picture, laptop, and photo manipulating software. But, in this article, you will learn how to do it with Adobe Photoshop.
Here is a guide on how to get lens flare effects using photoshop.
- Open your Adobe photoshop.
- Go to File and click on a new layer.
- You can name the “New layer” lens flare effect or whatsoever you want.
- Set the New layer foreground to black
- Right-click on the layer and choose the “convert to a new object” option.
- Change the blend mode from normal to screen.
- Go to the Window menu and click on the info option.
- Ensure your info panel is displayed on your laptop screen, then move your mouse to the source where you want the lens flare effect to appear.
- Go to the filter menu option and choose render, then lens flare.
- Choose your preferred lens type.
- Adjust the size and brightness to your preference.
- You are done.
Quick Tip
- Give yourself time.
- Practice consistently.
- Watch some youtube videos to get a virtual step-by-step procedure if the theoretical method is challenging for you to comprehend or practice.
- Do not restrict yourself. Experiment with the different methods or techniques, and often play with your camera and photoshop.
How To Get Lens Flare During The Night?
The best time to get a lens flare effect is during the day when the sun is still shining. However, it is possible to get some lens flare effect at night when there’s no sun or natural light source.
You can simply create an artificial light source at your preferred location or even use the night street light source. And optimize your camera setting for the procedure.
What You Will Need:
In addition to your camera, tripod, and remote shutter release, you will need:
- A flashlight or any artificial light source.
- A good location.
- A plastic bottle or glass.
Quick Tip
- Keep your ISO low.
- Your shutter speed should be between 1/50th to 1/60th of a second.
- Shoot in manual and raw mode.
- Play with your aperture and white balance.
How To Do It
- Look for a good location.
- Remove your lens hood.
- Turn off the lights
- Place the plastic bottle or glass at your front.
- Flash your torchlight at the object.
- Capture the flares.
Getting original lens flare effects at night or during dark hours is easy. You just have to be creative or manipulative with light and objects.
You can also create lens flare effects with night street lights when you shoot at objects reflecting light. These reflections can include specular reflection, where light bounces off a glossy surface, and diffuse reflection, where light scatters from a rough surface or through a translucent object.
How To Avoid Lens Flare Effects?
Lens flare effects, when wrongly done, can make your images look less professional and more amateurish. It is a common occurrence in photography.
Lens flare effects can occur due to different reasons, but it mostly happens when too much light comes into your lens from an outside source. The best way to avoid the effects is to take care of your equipment and shoot images with a quality lens and camera body.
You can also avoid getting a lens flare by using techniques such as avoiding the sun’s glare, using a lens hood, or changing the camera’s angle.
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People Also Ask
What are Optical Lens Flare Effects?
Optical flares are one of the most popular special effects in movies and TV shows. They simulate natural phenomena such as dust, fire, and explosions.
How To Create Optical Lens Flare Effect?
There are a few ways to create an optical flare. One way is by using a photographic lens flare effect on the camera or in post-production. Another way is by adding light effects in post-production with software like Adobe After Effects or Cinema 4D.
However, the quickest means to get it is by shooting directly into the sun or any available luminous light source.
What Are Anamorphic Lens Flare Effects?
Anamorphic lens flares are horizontal lens flares effects. They are often used in cinematography to create a sense of dynamism or realism. Anamorphic Lens Flare effects are used in cinematography to create the illusion of an object being surrounded by intense light. It is often used in sci-fi movies to show a spaceship or a space station as if it is under attack. Anamorphic lens flare effects are usually blue because they are gotten from the reflections of bright objects on the lens.
Final Word
Do you want more? Do you want to know the best camera lenses for sun flare effects? Click on What is sun flare photography? How to capture the best shots?.
You might also be interested in How to photograph the sun make it look large in photos?
And Finally, we’d like to see your lens flare effects in the comment box below.