Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to using lights so i'm not sure whats going on here. I've setup lights to shoot some friends and I've been having some issues with lens flare. What causes this to happen? any tips on what to do? The lens that I'm using is a tamron 28-75 so its pretty good in the flare dept but to be honest i'm not sure what causes it.
Thanks

Do you have lights pointing at the lens? Maybe it's not flare ... got an example?

Are you using a lens hood?

Look up what causes lens flare then figure out what you are doing wrong.
Any light entering into the lens can cause flare in one way or another.

I'm pretty new to using lights


Goin' the easy way: few shortcuts to lighting, hope this wil get you started.

http://www.lowel.com/edu/
http://www.studiolighting.net/
http://www.dg28.com/technique.html
http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/
http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/index.htm
http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/expose-right.shtml

here is a pic with the issue

Thanks for taking a look. And thanks for those links, i'll look at them. Yes, i did have my hood on. It really didn't make a difference

I get that sometimes when there is a big bit of dust on the front of the lens.

I can't really tell on the laptop screen, but it doesn't really seem like flare to me. Mostly because flare comes off of bright lights or surfaces, not a black background.

Is it in the same place every time? If so, I'd guess along with Aidan that it's on the lens (or the sensor). If it appears/disappears or moves around in the image, then I'm stumped.

hmm, it moves around a bit but that could be because its a zoom. perhaps it was just dust. intersting.

here is another, you decide

Do you have a filter screwed onto the front of the lens?

Probably a combination of light too close to the lens axis and dirt.

When you press the shutter the aperture blade of the lens close and any light entering the lens barrel will bounce off the blades and then off the back side of the lens elements. The round thing in that situation is the reflection of the aperture. It was a huge problem in years past but improvements with coatings has largely eliminated it.

Take more care in positioning lights behind the subjects and/or use flags just out of camera view in adding to the lens shade to block the flare.

I ran into this type of flare once when I got right up besid my umbrella's and caught some flare from that. I moved back about a foot and it was gone.

So, just check your shooting position in relation to your main and fill lights.

Just an idea, I hope it works,

Gary Eaves

I had similar issues with that lens when I was using a UV filter on it -- and it was even multi-coated. I ditched the filter and have had issues since.

thanks for the advice guys. Never thought about the filter being the issue.

cgardner, i might just be slow but what do you mean when you talk about using a flag?

Bisaillion wrote:
thanks for the advice guys. Never thought about the filter being the issue.


I use the Hoya Pro 1 Digital filters exclusively. They're expensive, but the multi-coat finish ensures that they reflect virtually nothing.

Try taking the filter off and if the "flare" goes away, that's the source of the problem.


cgardner, i might just be slow but what do you mean when you talk about using a flag?


It sounds like he's refering to a gobo (go-between). It's something as simple as a piece of black cardboard or foam board placed between the light and the lens to keep stray light from entering the lens.

Rich