Lens Flare

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CollisionKisses

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I know that lens flare is generally thought to be a big no-no, but sometimes it can create some quite beautiful effects.

I want to know how to get flare like this:

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/224580_10151246257277559_31483995_n.jpg


I'm not sure if it this is post-processing or actual photography technique. I know photoshop has the option to create a (very unnatural) lens flare, but it never comes out like the images above.

Any help would be much appreciated!
 
Luck! Flare can be deliberately introduced but you never know what it'll look like before you see it through the viewfinder.
 
 
It will be a characteristic of that lens/filter combination when the sun is in the frame.
 
1) Buy a cheap UV filter and fit it
2) Shoot into the sun

Depending on your lens you might even be able to skip step 1.
 
Different makes/types of lens will give different effects. The idea that you shouldn't get flare in your shot is crazy, it's just down to taste.

I often try to get flare into some of my images, the difficulty is being able to control it to get the right amount.
 
"Flare produces beautiful effects", indeed. And yes, the lens could be a factor, as well as the rays of the sun. As a matter of fact, some expert photographers know how to get the right amount of flare in their photos.
 

Into Dusk…. by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

This shot was all about stopping down (f/16) to get more of a starburst effect, and moving unbtil the sun was just peeking around the guy's head enough to get the look I wanted. Underexposure helps to create the semi-silhouette, increase the saturation and retain detail in the sky.

This was taken on a Sigma 14mm, probably one of the most flare-prone lenses there is but I was happy with the results and that's what mattered
 
Just remember, if you are deliberately going for lens flare, for heavens sake make sure that your lens is clean! :)
 
CollisionKisses said:
Really? It looks like almost identical lens flare is present in all of these photos:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cpczULJHapI/T_scZfVRGII/AAAAAAAAAxk/rwke4xxxjtg/s1600/_DSC0912.jpg
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/69140_10151246255737559_1823488414_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/540773_10151246257192559_1948136637_n.jpg
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/46488_10151246256882559_1646297526_n.jpg

I was wondering if there was a particular technique or if it's all photoshop...and if so, how to go about it?
Click to expand...


Sheesh!... kids today.. LOL :)

Once upon a time, a time long ago... there was no Photoshop... and we still had lens flare.

Seriously... stop reaching for photoshop as the answer to everything. That's lens flare... the real deal. Certain lenses have certain characteristics that's all. I love the flare from a Nikkor 50mm f1.8D... sharp, 13 point stars.. very nice. The Samyang 35mm 1.4 has a beautiful, warm lowering of contrast when the light is just out of frame.. very reminiscent of a faded colour print.

Get to know your cameras better than your computers :)
 
CollisionKisses said:
Really? It looks like almost identical lens flare is present in all of these photos:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cpczULJHapI/T_scZfVRGII/AAAAAAAAAxk/rwke4xxxjtg/s1600/_DSC0912.jpg
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/69140_10151246255737559_1823488414_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/540773_10151246257192559_1948136637_n.jpg
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/46488_10151246256882559_1646297526_n.jpg

I was wondering if there was a particular technique or if it's all photoshop...and if so, how to go about it?
Click to expand...

I do believe that's a thumb print on the front lens element, which someone has tried to wipe off with a T-shirt. Pretty sure I recognise it. :)
 
SimonH said:
I do believe that's a thumb print on the front lens element, which someone has tried to wipe off with a T-shirt. Pretty sure I recognise it. :)
Click to expand...

Possible, although I once had a Pentax SMC coated lens, may have been the 40mm pancake lens... can't remember now... that had a diffraction spike much greater in one plane than another though. It reminded me of the flare you get with an anamorphic cinema lens. One thing is certain though, these are not digital.
 
Pookeyhead said:
One thing is certain though, these are not digital.
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm. So you think that a filename with a _DSC prefix isn't a digital frame then?
 
Phil V said:
I think he means they're not digitally created flare:thinking:
Click to expand...

Cheers Phil... I didn't think I needed to add that :) Yes, I meant the flare is a result of an optical process caused by internal reflections and refractions inside the lens from either off, or on axis light that has not been used to focus the image.

There.. that should cover it :)
 
Pookeyhead said:
There.. that should cover it :)
Click to expand...

Yup, it does! ( the first one was shot with a D3000 btw). :)

Saying digital does sort of imply that the shots were analogue ie film) as opposed to via PP though!

Having said that, surely using Instagram is the easiest way to achieve the effect? ;)
 
Seeing as how the thread has already gone a little OT and into slight banter (and, most importantly, the OP's question has been answered), I should add that I wish flair was as easy to achieve as flare!
 
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