A lens hood and certain filters can reduce lens flare on images.
Lens flare can diminish an image's contrast and overall quality. Images affected by lens flare can show unwanted streaks, patterns, polygonal shapes and veiling flare. Sources include bright light sources such as the sun or artificial lights. From outside the angle of view, stray light enters the lens and reflects or scatters on the different lens' elements. Lens flare might impact zoom lenses with their greater area of internal surfaces that can reflect this light. Try to minimize the stray light that enters the camera. Shielding the camera lens or repositioning the subject can help reduce distracting lens flare and improve your images.
Instructions
1. Attach a lens hood to a prime lens, such as a standard 50 mm lens. The lens hood should have a nonreflective surface, such as felt. The shape of the lens hood can be round or petal shape, specific to the lens model.
2. Shoot with a multicoated lens designed to reduce the effects of flare. Please note that no lens can eliminate all indirect light rays that cause lens flare.
3. Zoom into the subject to reduce the impact of lens flare. For example, on a 28-105 mm zoom lens, rotate the focal length to a higher focal length, such as 100 mm.
4. Shield part of the lens with your hand or a dark hat to block unwanted light from entering the lens barrel. Keep your hand or other nonreflective object from becoming part of the photograph.
5. Position your camera under an umbrella, awning or other solid cover to shield from stray light rays.
6. Change the angle of the lens in relation to the view. For example, tilt the lens for a higher or lower view to minimize the flare.
7. Reposition your subject, if possible. For example, compose with the light at a different angle, such as near the back of the camera.
8. Wait a few minutes as the earth rotates and the sun's rays have a different effect on the outdoor setting. For example, a cloud might cover the sun.
Tags: lens hood, lens flare, stray light, focal length, light rays, your hand