Mastering Lens Flare: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How To Deal With It

You’ve probably noticed it in your photos at some point—those glowing rings, hazy overlays, or strange light spots that seem to sneak into your shots when the sun’s involved. That’s lens flare, and whether you love it or loathe it, understanding it is key to mastering light in photography.

Let’s break down what lens flare really is, how it can affect your images (both positively and negatively), and what you can do to either eliminate it—or embrace it creatively.

What Exactly Is Lens Flare?

Lens flare happens when strong light enters your camera lens and bounces between the internal glass elements before reaching the sensor. Instead of clean, crisp light hitting the sensor, you end up with light scatter—sometimes a soft haze, other times bold light streaks or circular reflections. This is especially common when shooting toward the sun or other intense light sources.

Complex lens structures (like zoom lenses with lots of elements) are more prone to flare, especially when combined with subpar coatings or dirty glass.

Types of lens flare you’re likely to encounter:

• Soft Flare (Veiling): A diffuse glow that washes out the image, lowering contrast and vibrancy.
• Ghost Flare (Artifacts): Distinct shapes—often round or polygonal—that mimic your lens’s aperture.

The Main Types of Lens Flare (And What Causes Them)

1. Veiling Flare

This type creates a washed-out, foggy effect across your photo. It typically comes from a light source just outside the frame, spilling into your lens. It’s often made worse by dusty lenses, poor-quality filters, or missing anti-glare coatings.

2. Ghosting Flare

Ever seen those repeating orbs or light shapes trailing across your frame? That’s ghosting. It’s caused by internal reflections between lens elements and the camera sensor—especially in complex lens designs.

3. Sensor Reflections (aka Red Dot Flare)

This one’s sneaky. You’ll spot small, often red, dots in your image—thanks to light reflecting off your camera sensor and bouncing back into the lens. Mirrorless cameras with shorter flange distances are particularly susceptible.

What Makes Flare More Likely?

There are a few common triggers:

• Wide lenses: Their expansive field of view increases the chances of light hitting the lens from off-angles.
• Cheaper optics: Low-end lenses lack advanced coatings that reduce reflections.
• Dirty glass: Smudges and dust scatter light unpredictably.
• Inexpensive filters: Poor coatings or surface grime can amplify flare.
• No lens hood: Without a hood, side light can sneak in and cause trouble.

Flipping the Script: Using Flare as a Creative Tool

Not all flare is bad. In fact, some photographers seek it out. Lens flare can add mood, warmth, and even a nostalgic or cinematic quality to a photo. If you want to experiment with intentional flare, try the following:

• Shoot into the light: Frame the sun (or another strong light source) just inside or outside your shot.
• Open your aperture: Wider apertures can increase the intensity and softness of the flare.
• Move slightly: Small angle changes can dramatically alter flare shape and placement.
• Play with reflections: Surfaces like water, windows, or glass can amplify the effect.

Want to Avoid Flare? Here’s What You Can Do

When flare isn’t welcome, prevention is simple—if you know what to look for:

1. Use a lens hood: It blocks side light and is one of the most effective tools for flare control.
2. Clean your lens often: Smudges and dust scatter light in unpredictable ways.
3. Upgrade your filters: Use high-quality, multi-coated filters to minimize reflections.
4. Reposition your shot: Adjusting the angle of your camera can eliminate direct light from entering the lens.
5. Stick with prime lenses: They typically have fewer elements, which means fewer internal reflections.

Cleaning It Up in Post

Even with the best precautions, flare can sneak in. Thankfully, editing tools can help:

• Clone/Healing brushes: Great for removing ghost artifacts and dots.
• Contrast and clarity adjustments: These can reverse the washed-out look caused by veiling flare.
• Graduated filters: Handy for balancing exposure and toning down overblown areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly causes lens flare in photography?
Bright light entering the lens bounces between internal elements and creates visual distortions like haze or light spots.

2. Will lens flare harm my camera or lens?
No. It may affect your photo’s quality, but it won’t damage your gear.

3. Can I use lens flare for artistic effect?
Definitely. Many photographers use it to create dreamy, cinematic, or nostalgic vibes in their work.

4. Is a lens hood enough to stop all lens flare?
It helps a lot, especially with side light, but won’t fully stop flare when you’re shooting directly into bright sources.

5. Are some lenses better at handling flare than others?
Yes. Higher-end lenses with superior coatings and simpler optical designs (like prime lenses) tend to resist flare better.