When I shot this polaroid the other day, I knew the sun was just outside frame and that I could end up with an overly blown out image. But still, I went for it and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. The flare ultimately helped me capture the emotion I felt that afternoon, which was the ease and warmth of a nice 20 minute vacation while my baby girl napped in the stroller.
Lens flare by definition, is an imperfection. A flare is an artifact caused by a bright light source in the image or shining into the lens. It usually occurs when we shoot into the sun or when the sun is just outside the frame. However, there are times when flares are used deliberately, for the sole purpose of adding drama, energy and realism to the shot. Hmm.
This image I shot and the whole concept behind flares got me wondering if we can also accept our imperfections as special traits that add realness and uniqueness to our personalities. Can we let the “light” into our lives by accepting our flaws and embracing our unexpected magic?
Today, in celebration of light, flares and imperfections, share with us those images in which you let the light in. Where the lack of contrast made up for more softness… Where lens flares, streaks and dots revealed dreamy, unworldly and otherwise unknown perfection.
cigi says
Great post! Here's a sunset captured with my point-and-shoot. No flare but still a little blown out and definitely not perfect: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/198365/
Irene says
this is a stunning shot. I love it so much.
sarah says
I absolutely love your beautiful and emotive photo. Here's a picture of sunflare and shadow from me, taken during my phase of "point the camera at the sun and click" – http://www.flickr.com/photos/shorelinesphotography/5019921474/in/set-72157624662527268/
Marcie says
Here's a recent one where the harsh light burned out some of the details..but still the image manages to say it all:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1343
Ange says
Fabulous shot and the flare is perfect!
I love taking flare shots – sometimes a little too much 🙂
Here's one I've taken recently…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadic_tendencies/5127616023/
And one of I took a while ago…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadic_tendencies/3203095053
Jenniféehttp://networkedblogs.com/9TMU0 says
I love it when you get light that seems tangible, like in your wonderful image there. A recent favourite of mine is this one – imperfectly exposed but perfectly magical:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/5114374101/
Leslie says
I love flare, too! It's what I was hoping for when I took this shot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/westieluvr/4869605479/in/set-72157622197021631/
Morgen says
Amazing shot! I love capturing flares. I think it is a phase I am going through right now 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearsefamily/4975376186/
Linda says
I love the 60s feel to it!
Vickie says
I love your philosophy behind your photography work. Photography is chasing the "light". We can not see the "light" without the shadows nor would there be any shadows without the "light". Wonderful image; it involves the visual, the emotional and the mental (thoughts).
Jill F says
http://fingerontheshutter.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=346&action=edit
I love flare too. It allows a whole new perspective.
Jen at Cabin Fever says
Very nice Polaroid! I am a fan of lens flare and sunlight in the photo. That's my thing right now…
http://www.nekphotography.blogspot.com –> Photo Blog
http://www.cabinfeververmont.com —> Everything else Blog
Jill F says
http://fingerontheshutter.com/2010/10/24/sun-flare/
Ooops–goofed on my link above–try this one.
lucy says
your picture is like california dreamin' — this could be my cousin back in 1967 on the beach in santa cruz. love it.
i was shooting photos of flowers on my deck when our cat walked by. with crazy bokeh, a purple flare, and a funny title, it ended up working!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/5113756589/
Andrea says
I love the look of flare in photos. <3 Can't get enough in my opinion!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaspencephotography/4858278005/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaspencephotography/4991643798/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaspencephotography/4910948401/
Bethany G says
This is lovely! I've been able to capture sunflare before, but my I just captured first photo with the flare big on the side like yours this week. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunflare/5121872969/ 😀
Naomi says
What a great shot-love it!
I love playing with sunlight–here are a couple I just took last week!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50267281@N03/5118612708/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50267281@N03/5118011573/
camerashymomma says
i love this pola, alex! california dreamin'
i love what you wrote about imperfection being our uniqueness. i will most definitely carry that thought with me.
and for good measure, here is my most recent photo where i let the light in from a great family session.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/5052563331/
molly says
this particular one doesn't have lens flare, but it does have an otherworldly feel with the sun just out of the frame…
http://mollyfair.smugmug.com/photos/1071101854_RUgFc-M.jpg
Misty says
Without it, I wouldn't like this picture. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5057043416/
AndMilesToGo says
I agree that the sun flare captured in that photograph sets the perfect mood. I have a photograph to share in which I also used sun flare to invoke a particular mood.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7919926@N04/5131959142/
Misty says
I almost forgot my other 2 favorites:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4712648685/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4644187977/in/photostream/
life in eden says
Always love me some flare. Your beach shot is amazing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/5131485361/
Lauren says
I have been loving these type of shots lately:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/5039606601/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/4914652675/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/4888197859/
Lauren says
I finally found it…. this one is my fav and I think it suits my neice's personality:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/4835337699/
Dawn B says
Lovely image! This is why I still shoot film and use a Holga. The imperfections and light leaks are the best part. My 2 Holgas are actually pretty light tight, but I did have this jem on my last roll:
http://elfini.tumblr.com/
Stephanie says
Everyone has such great flare photos! I love breaking photography rules and the "No flare" rule is one of my faves to toss out the window. http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/5125028610/
Stephanie says
I forgot about this one! it's an old flare shot but I still love it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4851557569/
Line says
that's a gorgeous shot that light is amazing, I won a copy of you book expressive photography and I love it!!!
Karen D says
I love this one that I took at Squam Art Worshops..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41584693@N02/5010532024/in/set-72157625189989756/
Karen D says
Here is another i took awhile ago.. forgot about it until now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41584693@N02/4292217482/in/photostream/
Angela says
Lovely – and a coincidence because I just purposely used flare today to add some other-worldlyness to this Halloween picture!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelaslp/5132705079/
Tina says
I love your photo and agree with the person that says it has a 1970s look about it.
My photo, linked below, has bad flare, is an ugly one, but apt for the date 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenhillphotography/5132726547/
spread your wings says
sunset lens flare taken just yesterday
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5134224998/
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Becky R. says
I usually do flares on accident. I'm to new to the photography scene to understand most of the technical things. However, this one of a cemetery in Allentown, PA, that has no name is pretty nice. It's one of those that I didn't plan but it turned out to be perfect for me.
http://flic.kr/p/8PHsNb
Tracy says
what an amazing polaroid!
here's a recent flare shot that revealed a bit of magic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/5104349326/
Jess says
I've been a sun flare nut lately. LOVE the light in these two photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/4752008868/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5051481354/
Jess says
I've been a sun flare nut lately. LOVE the light in these two photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/4752008868/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5051481354/
xanthe says
oooh i love this shot 🙂
Kristine says
Letting the light in and so happy that I did!
http://kristinenoel.com/2010/10/26/indian-summer-2/
DorkyMum says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/5135807105/
Trude says
I'm a completely sun flare addict. Use it all. the. time. But this time I wanted to keep the flowers glowing, backlit, so I kept it to a minimum. And I actually liked this shot, with the truck's headlights in the background, better than other ones that didn't have it. Embracing "imperfection"! 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/5122629716/
Winn says
Here's mine: way over-exposed, but then I fiddled with it to bring back some definition. Makes it look more like a brilliant winter day rather than a frosty fall morning. 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/koreenphotography/5130459224/
Alex says
Thank you for sharing all your awesome flare shots, ladies. I guess I am not the only one who loves light leaks and streaks!! xoxx
Kiley says
This post really inspired me to go back and review some of my previously discarded film frames from a variety of vintage cameras that I use from time to time. I found not so many sun flares but lots of light leaks. I was so inspired I blogged about my review of the frames.
http://www.gogovivi.com/2010/11/embracing-imperfection.html
Also I am loving all the shots above me! Thanks for the inspiration.
Brooke says
I love finding a shot that makes the light just look yummy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterboo502/5095341952/
Emily Perry says
oh, i totally heart flare. and imperfection. and a reminder to get myself down to the ocean asap!
Michelle says
I love flare. I shot this while bear hunting a few weeks ago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26029966@N02/5100651273/
claudia says
I've been shooting into the sun a lot lately, sometimes it's too hazy, other times I'm pleasantly surprised 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/5138824292/
Tiffany Li says
Perfect sunset photo!
http://www.quickartframe.com
kristen marie says
Beautiful image and words!
a dreamy autumn day…http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbanthology/5144672328/
Line says
gorgeous shot I'm too studying the light!!
http://unefleurpourtoi.blogspot.com/2010/11/etude-de-la-lumiere.html
Becca says
I captured this shot on a recent trip to Asheville. We were driving around the mountains and took it through the front window!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47808744@N06/5144574944/
Later that same day I got this picture of a broken down barn.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47808744@N06/5144575452/in/photostream/
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