How to Eliminate Lens Flare
It’s amazing how the smallest things can have such a massive impact upon a photo (both in a positive and negative way).
One such small thing that can both enhance and detract from an image is the ’sunspot’ (or lens flare). Shoot into the sun on a sunny day (or into bright lights) and you’re sure to get them in your images at some point or another..
Positioned well and in the right type of photo they can actually add something to the shot - giving it a more informal and paparazzi feel (in fact some photo editing software help you add sunspots to create this feel).
However in many instances sunspots or lens flare can be a distracting element - a problem that all but ruins an otherwise great shot. Of course you can try editing them out later, but it’s probably best to eliminate them before they happen. Here’s a few techniques to try:
Lens Hoods
The way that professionals generally deal with lens flare is to use a purpose made lens hood on their DSLR lens. Most DSLRs and prosumer digital cameras these days come with the ability to attach lens hood (in fact most professional grade lenses come with them when you purchase them). These hoods are specifically designed to overcome sunspots while allowing as much light into the lens as possible. They come in all shapes and sizes depending upon the design of the lens, its focal length, whether it has a zoom etc. The main downside of them is that they can be a pain to transport (some of the lens hoods for my lenses are as big as the lenses themselves) but they do work pretty effectively and really add something to your shots (and they can look quite cool and make you look like more of a pro too!).
Give Your Lens a Hand
If you don’t have a lens hood (or your camera can’t take one) then use your God given hood - your hand (or someone else’s) to help shield your lens from the sun. Just be aware of not putting it in the corner of your frame if you’re shooting at a wide angle focal length - especially if you’re shooting through a viewfinder that is not on a single lens reflex camera (where what you see through the viewfinder is slightly different to what you get in the actual image).
Zoom
If you don’t have access to a lens hood and you’re using a camera with a zoom lens you might find that moving your zoom to a different focal length might help decrease the impact of sun spots. It might not remove them completely but could lessen the impact and/or change the position of them to a less distracting spot in the image.
Reposition Yourself
One of the most effective ways of reducing lens flare is to move yourself to a new shooting position - either so you’re not shooting into the Sun quite as directly or so that your lens is more shaded by some other object from the Sun or main light source. Try moving around your subject but also try changing the height that you’re shooting from (ie get down low or shoot down from a height) as all of these things change the angle at which light hits your lens.
Using Composition to Eliminate Lens Flare
Another option for getting rid of lens flare is to use elements within your image to block it. Sometimes it’s possible to to place a tree, building, person’s head or some other element between the sun and the lens - and as a result remove the flare altogether.
Work With It
If you can’t eliminate lens flare consider working WITH it. You might need to try a few different framings and positions to shoot from to make sure it’s in a good position that adds to the impact of your shot - but don’t be afraid of it. At times it can actually give that special something or point of interest to a shot.
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April 15th, 2008 at 3:38 am
It may be worthwhile to point out that some lenses have a special coating just to protect against lens flare. This is mostly found in select professional lenses.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:06 am
Here’s a great resource for those lacking the funds for $50+ pieces of plastic.
http://www.lenshoods.co.uk/
April 15th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Another thing that’s related to eliminating flare is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Filters (especially poor quality ones) often will introduce lens flare into a shot. In a timely coincidence, I blogged about why I’m a no-filter guy a few days ago: http://www.hockleyphoto.com/blog/uv-filter-or-not/
April 15th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Thanks for the advice, I will try shielding the glare with my hand instead of changing the shot.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:18 am
Also worth mentioning is that cheaper filters often make photos more prone to glare.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Dupe.
I mean, come on. It even has the same picture of a guy behind a severe lens flare as it had months ago!
–Klaidas
http://www.klaidas.lt
April 15th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Klaidas - take a deep breath…. yes, this is a post that is from our archives that was originally written in 2006 and that yesterday was updated.
As you’ll see above in the comments, not everyone has read every article in our archives like you - we republish some of our archives occasionally when we feel it’ll be useful for readers.
We do this to give our authors a break but also because so many of our readers don’t see our archives that it seems like a waste not to highlight them occasionally.
As I’ve responded to your comments before on numerous occasions…. If you’d like to submit a post that you think would be more helpful to people you’re always welcome.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
It is very true. I also have not read all the posts in the archive and it is good to know this tip.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I’m new to photography and DSLR and so I haven’t even begun to venture into your archives (yet!). I thoroughly enjoy my daily email topics from you and do my utmost to take a quick look at them. This one is very valuable as I have a lens hood and really didn’t know what it would do for me. (I’m seriously a NEWBIE.) So now I know and thank you! The picture TOTALLY communicated to me, what you were addressing. Thanks.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Good news! I photograph homes for my Real Estate Business.
Today I photographed a new listing and was concerned due
to the rising Sun and brightness. Yesterday I read this
article so I used what I learned! I zoomed differently, I repositioned myself and blocked the sun by kneeling and letting the roofline block the sun.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Also a newbie with a Ferrari of a camera (Nikon D300) that I’m just learning to use. I read these posts every day and add the ones useful to me right now at this point in my learning to a notebook. I love the site and appreciate the great free knowledge and advice.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for the wonderful articles..very helpful. I have still a long way to go in using my DSLR effectively. All your articles in DPS are wonderful, and this is one site i never fail to come and read daily. Be it from the archives or new, every piece is a good piece for me. Thanks a lot..
April 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I have also got myself a filter which i have yet to use. I was advised by a fellow photographer to get one to shoot on a very hot sunny day.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:01 am
I like using lens flair when I get the chance and even have taken a photo or two that highlight why I use it. Don’t be afraid of it; turn it to your advantage.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:26 am
I agree with Eric.:)
April 18th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hi everyone, this is a bit different for me as I photograph the sun itself EVERY DAY!!!.I use all the tips given,execpt the hood, because I cant!I even use the flare to advantage sometimes.Other times I hide the sun behind trees.Another thing I do is to use a star filter for great effect, & it hides flares as well. I love DPS, I have learnt a lot, but I’m still shooting with film, but the tips often apply to film as well, thanks DPS!!!. Check out my web site!! http://www.sunrisestosunsets.com.au cheers, Sandy W
April 20th, 2008 at 12:17 am
to prevent sunflare in my photos i always shoot at night this works very well but it is hard to see my subject