gurus feel that occasional, deliberate lens flare adds drama and passion to the
image. Either way, it is critical that the photographer understands the phe-
nomenon and knows how to either use it or eliminate it, depending upon the
desired effect.
Technically speaking, lens flare is created when non-imaging forming light
enters the lens at just the right angle, bounces around the interior of the
camera/lens, and eventually ends up being recorded in the image. It can
lower the image contrast significantly by increasing the exposure without
adding any image content. It also can cause a loss of color saturation and re-
duce the sharpness of the image.
Lens flare normally occurs because the lens was pointed in the general di-
rection of the sun or a direct artificial light source. If you can stop direct light
from hitting the front of the lens, you can reduce or eliminate most lens flare.
There are several methods of doing this. At times, I have used my hand to
112 LIGHTING TECHNIQUES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING MODEL PORTFOLIOS
7-25(left).This is the same bathing suit as in the following
images—but notice the lack of color. Note, too, the unflatter-
ing shadows that the direct light created on the model’s face.
7-26(right).The model was turned so that her back was to
the sun. Notice the lack of sharpness and contrast created by
the resulting lens flare.