Lens Flare USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Lens Flare Lens flare is a visual phenomenon characterized by unwanted artifacts or patterns of light that appear in an image as a result of light sources hitting the camera lens at oblique angles. Lens flare can manifest as streaks, circles, or geometric shapes of varying intensity and color, depending on the characteristics of the lens, the angle of the light source, and the position of the camera. Lens flare is caused by internal reflections and scattering of light within the lens elements, particularly when shooting towards bright light sources such as the sun or artificial light sources.

While lens flare is often considered a technical flaw and may detract from the overall image quality, it can also be used creatively to add visual interest, mood, and atmosphere to a photograph. Some photographers intentionally incorporate lens flare into their compositions to create artistic effects or evoke a sense of warmth, nostalgia, or drama. Lens hoods and lens coatings are commonly used to minimize or prevent lens flare by reducing the amount of stray light entering the lens and improving contrast and color saturation in images.