Lens Flare: Yay or Nay?

[molested_cow]

I personally don't mind lens flare for the most part(except fake ones in photoshop), but I know many people try their best to avoid it. What's your take on this?

 

[Forkie]

Depends how it's used, I s'pose.

 

[SCraig]

I agree. Sometimes it adds impact to a photograph, sometimes it ruins it. Just depends on the photograph.

 

[MrsLittle]

Is this how you can capture Sun bubbles? I read that you need to render the filter in order to achieve that effect.

 

[Rockadile]

Should I take off my lens hood if I'm trying to achieve the lens flare/sun spot look for portraits?

 

[KmH]

Maybe. It depends where the Sun is relative to the lens axis. If the sun is behind you removing the hood will have little, if any, effect.

Flare can be used as an effective image element:

 

[chaosrealm93]

what do you guys think of this?

from above.. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[kundalini]

I usually try to avoid flare, but sometimes it does add to the image at least on a personal level. I like this catch because of the way she is looking at the flare as it's coming towards her. Kinda cosmic to me.

Should I accentuate it?

 

[chaosrealm93]

i think so, i sorta mistook the flare across the sky as an artifact at first glance. but i like the flare in the top right corner

 

[bentcountershaft]

Maybe. It depends where the Sun is relative to the lens axis. If the sun is behind you removing the hood will have little, if any, effect.

Flare can be used as an effective image element:

I'm generally not a fan of it, but my narrow mindedness prevented me from thinking of abstract possibilities. I like this a lot.

 

[camz]

I like it and I think lens flares are no different then props unfortunately it's one of those effects that's hard to control. It plays an easier role with video.

I'm a J.J. Abrams fan style of cinematography(Watch the latest Star Trek Movie). He uses these flares like you wouldn't believe and it sure adds life to the story. Lights are oviously luminious and bright so there's nothing better then an accent flare to touch up on that in our photos. Tough to pull off but I likes.

Something to ponder...

 

[DavidSutphin]

It really depends on how it's used. Some photographers seem to think it's the fix for not know what they're doing.

 

[thelittlelim]

prime example with the star trek video.