Comments on: How to Eliminate Lens Flare

By: andrew

andrew — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:35:57 +0000

Anna I am having the same problem with my Canon prime 50mm f1.8 – flare at night from streetlights with and without filters. Anyone out there have any suggestions?

By: Sandy W

Sandy W — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:43:41 +0000

Hi Adam,it can be so frustrating can’t it? I still shoot the sunrise & sunset every day & have not missed either one in over 3175 CONSECITIVE days. Only thing difference to my reply in April 2008 is I am now digital!! I didn’t have much choice really, they’ve all but stopped processing film!!
I still have glare/flare problems.If you are using any filters,make sure there are NO scratches or dust,however fine as they magnify the glare.If you suspect,but cant see any glare,try moving your camera just slightly to see if you can see “movement” in the shot.Often it looks good,but the flares there when it’s taken.if seeing movement tilt or move the camera very slightly till you cant see movement.I often use overhanging branches & just have the sun behind a leaf,branch, twig or ,trunk etc. watch for the movement again ,even “hiding” spots in the leaves,clouds etc. .Its great when the clouds or background are same or similar colours. Even something as simple as roadside weeds can be used to put the sun behind a small clump among the rest of the weeds,gives a dramatic effect,& gives a very plain,glarry,uneventful sunset into something great.
As I am beside the roadside mostly locally, every sunrise & sunset,& have been for over 10 years I often have people stopping & asking me to help them with their shots, or they look to see where I am at that time because they say they know I’ll be in the best place for the best results! I am very well known around the South East of Queensland (Australia) as I started around15 years ago.It always gives me a chuckle though as I have never ever had any training at all,I just go with what I feel.It works for me!! What is your location? I know DPS is worldwide.I have learnt a lot from here,but my training has been my own trial & error,it has served me well. good luck,I hope you get rid of your flares,or use them to advantage!
my website is http://www.sunrisestosunsets.com.au Send me a comment through the web address,cheers,Sandy PS thanks Darren for a great newsletter,I keep passing it on!!

By: Adam Botond

Adam Botond — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:20:00 +0000

I’ve just returned from photographing sunset. I suffered so much with lens flare. Hood didn’t seem to help at all and zooming only slightly reduced them. I’m curious how you guys avoid flares when shooting sunsets. Obviously, when you are about shooting a sunset you want to shoot into the sun and you can move around your subject. Any more tips how to get rid of disturbing flares?

Thanks in advance!

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:09:41 +0000

my problems are not with the sunlight causing flare, it’s at night, when I want to catch city lights, or a lamp… it really disturbs me and I can’t do the composition I want. Are there any advice on how to handle this problem? the advice in this article are good, but if I want to include a lamp in the composition the advices don’t apply so well…:) I only have one lens, a Canon prime 50mm f1.8. Obviously, taking of the uv-filter is not the solution because I’ve tried that. would really appreciate some help! thanks

By: MeiTeng

MeiTeng — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:02:02 +0000

Great tips! I always use a lens hood when shooting.

By: DK

DK — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:22:48 +0000

i subscribe to your blog’s rss via LJ. i am one of those lurkers who do not comment. because I am almost always too shy to say anything. mostly because I am bad at taking photographs.

these tips will prove to be very helpful. I am still taking baby steps in photographt. because I take bad photographs! teehee. :D but as always, lovely, and keep up the good work. you do not how inspiring you are :)

By: herkamer

herkamer — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:17:33 +0000

to prevent sunflare in my photos i always shoot at night this works very well but it is hard to see my subject

By: Sandy W

Sandy W — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:22:00 +0000

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

By: Natalie Norton

Natalie Norton — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:26:27 +0000

I agree with Eric.:)

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:01:59 +0000

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.