What Is Lens Flare?

What causes lens flare?

The angle at which light enters your lens plays an important role in the occurrence of lens flare. When light enters at a specific angle, it can reflect multiple times inside the lens. This leads to:

• light spots or streaks in your image
• loss of contrast
• distracting elements in your composition

Although this can sometimes create an artistic effect, it is in most cases unwanted.

The quality of the lens also affects the risk of flare:

• Higher quality lenses are often equipped with special coatings on the glass elements that minimise internal reflections.
• Cheaper or older lenses often lack these coatings, making lens flare more likely to occur.
• Yet you do not always need an expensive lens. A smart approach to light and composition can already prevent a lot.

Want to avoid or creatively use lens flare? Then pay attention to the following:

• Use a lens hood to block direct light.
• Rotate your camera slightly to change the angle of the light.
• Place a hand, card or other object between the light source and your lens.
• In some cases, a deliberately placed lens flare can add extra atmosphere and character to your image.

When is lens flare desirable?

In both photography and film, lens flare can evoke a feeling of atmosphere, warmth or even nostalgia. Think of a golden ray of sunlight subtly entering your image during a romantic sunset, or bright backlight giving an adventurous feel to an action photo. By experimenting with this light effect, you can create images that have just that little bit of extra feeling or character.

A commonly used moment to work with lens flare is when the sun is low — early in the morning or toward evening. Position your subject partially in front of the sun and let it peek just over the shoulder or above the head of your subject. This creates a natural glow with lens flare that enhances the image rather than disturbing it. Even in high-contrast urban scenes, a bright light point on the horizon can become a vivid detail, especially in black-and-white photography where the interplay of light and contrast defines the atmosphere.

In videography, lens flare is regularly used as a stylistic device. Think of films where an intense scene is enhanced by sunlight that just shines into frame. It creates a sense of realism and intensity. What matters is that you maintain control over what you allow to happen. For example, closing the aperture slightly creates sharper flare patterns. A larger aperture creates a soft, dreamy appearance. Lens flare becomes not just a by-product, but a conscious choice within your photographic or cinematic style.

When is lens flare unwanted?

Lens flare can be artistic and atmospheric, but sometimes it works against your composition. This happens especially when it affects the sharpness, contrast and detail in your image. In situations where precision matters — such as portrait photography, product photography or architectural photography — lens flare can be experienced as disruptive. A light haze or colour cast over the subject removes the sharpness you need most.

Also in landscape photography in the early morning or just before sunset, lens flare can occur — especially if you photograph directly toward the sun. Those reflections may fall exactly over an important part of your photo: the eyes of a model, the silhouette of a tree, or a detail in a building. This throws your composition off balance, colours lose their intensity and shadows become less defined.

One more thing to watch: lens flare can confuse your camera's autofocus system. Especially with backlight, your camera has more difficulty focusing. This can cause blurry or washed-out photos, even when you think everything is set up correctly.

If you want to maintain control over your images, it is important to pay close attention to the light angle and your position. A small adjustment in your camera angle, the use of a lens hood, or something as simple as shading the sun with your hand, can be sufficient to prevent flare. This preserves the power of your composition and the finesse in your details.

1. Pay attention to the position of the light source

The angle at which light reaches your lens is essential. If you photograph toward a strong light source such as the sun at sunrise or sunset, the risk of flare is considerably higher. Try:

• shifting your camera angle slightly so the sun falls just outside the frame.
• having the light source blocked by an object such as a tree, building or post.
• making small adjustments to your composition — these can already make a big difference.

2. Use a lens hood

A lens hood is one of the simplest and most effective tools against lens flare. You attach it directly to the lens and it helps shield incoming light.

• Works well against light from the side or above
• Handy for outdoor photography as well as indoors with bright artificial light
• No lens hood available? Use your hand or another object to create shade (make sure it does not appear in frame)

3. Choose the right lens and keep it clean

Not all lenses are equally susceptible to flare. Modern lenses are often equipped with coatings that reduce internal reflections.

• Invest where possible in lenses with anti-reflection coatings
• Check your lens regularly for dirt: dust, grease or fingerprints can intensify flare
• Clean your lens carefully with a microfibre cloth or lens cleaning solution