Photo Challenge Finalists: Lens Flare

Take that, lens coatings

By Stan Horaczek | Published May 20, 2013 4:55 PM EDT

Inspiration

Lens companies often go to great lengths to fight lens flare. But, to some shooters, those unpredictable streaks, spots, and stars of light make for an extremely appealing aesthetic. For last month’s photo challenge, we asked you to go out and push your lenses to their limits. The results will doubtlessly be a bit controversial because some folks just aren’t fans of the flare. But, we think there’s a lot of beauty in it.

The entries this month were, unsurprisingly, composed primarily of portraits. But, there’s a sprinkling of landscapes and even a few still life photos thrown into the mix. It’s a challenging subject that requires a lot of trial and error, and some of these images clearly put in the time.

So, check out the gallery for some inspiration, then head over to our Contests page to see how you can show off your work, win prizes, and get publisehd. The overall winner of the Lens Flare contest will be announced in an upcoming issue of Popular Photography.

CLICK HERE FOR THE GALLERY

Personal Space, the Final Frontier

By Peter Kurdulija Winter sun is rising above the spectacular Southern Alps in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Tender Light

By Polina Tankilevitch A random photo I took a few days ago when the sunset was absolutely beautiful

Imagination

By Laura Makaltses Sun flare on a dandilion.

American Girl

By Jake Pignanello This was shot at the beautiful Hays Mansion during magic hour. This particular shoot was the first using my new D600, and I wanted to test the dynamic range of the camera. What better test than removing the hood and letting the sunshine in?

Stan Horaczek

Stan Horaczek is the senior gear editor of PopPhoto. He oversees a team of gear-obsessed writers and editors dedicated to finding and featuring the best and most useful photography equipment, from cameras and lenses to bags and accessories.

Contests