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Video also online<br />
http://bit.ly/pp_<strong>128</strong>_3<br />
view the video<br />
Project 3<br />
The Mission<br />
Learn how to shoot<br />
lens flare rings<br />
using a metal pipe<br />
Time needed<br />
One hour<br />
Skill level<br />
Intermediate<br />
Kit needed<br />
Prime, wide<br />
aperture lens<br />
• Copper pipe<br />
Ring of fire<br />
Lauren Scott explains how to introduce sizzling circular lens flare<br />
Many modern lenses<br />
are so well designed<br />
that they all-buteliminate<br />
lens flare.<br />
Specially coated glass elements<br />
stand up against even the<br />
brightest, harshest sunlight, and<br />
for everyday use, this is a good<br />
thing. Unwanted flare, caused by<br />
light bouncing off lens elements,<br />
is unpredictable, not to mention a<br />
pain to remove in post-processing.<br />
But what if you could make and<br />
control camera flare on command,<br />
with the ability to move and shape<br />
it to suit your subject? Well, you<br />
can, and we’ll show you how…<br />
Shooting through a piece of<br />
metal pipe in direct light –<br />
sunlight is ideal – creates instant<br />
in-camera flare. The pipe shape,<br />
colour, position and texture will<br />
all affect how your flare looks,<br />
and every result will be unique.<br />
This creative effect is best used<br />
in moderation, but play around,<br />
and with a little practice you’ll<br />
soon get the hang of it. Read on<br />
for our take on introducing<br />
deliberate lens flare…<br />
Shooting skills flare with flair<br />
Use a piece of pipe to add a glowing golden ring to your portraits<br />
01 what you’ll need<br />
The best lens to use here is a prime with<br />
a focal length of 50-100mm and a wide<br />
maximum aperture, such as f/1.8. You’ll<br />
also need a piece of metal pipe that’s<br />
around an inch in length and diameter. Cut<br />
it to size with a pipe cutter if you need to.<br />
02 subject choice<br />
As we’re demonstrating a technique here,<br />
the subject isn’t so important. That being<br />
said, portraits look gorgeous with added<br />
lens flare. Shoot your subjects with the sun<br />
(or light source you’re using) behind them,<br />
as this is when flare will appear.<br />
03 camera settings<br />
There’s not an ideal setting for all scenarios,<br />
but we used Aperture Priority mode, so<br />
we didn’t have to worry about constantly<br />
changing the exposure at the same time<br />
as moving the pipe. Most of our shots<br />
were taken at ISO100 and around f/2.8.<br />
04 see the light<br />
You can utilize any light source for this,<br />
including the sun, street lamps, bulbs<br />
or flash. Bright sunlight is easy, effective,<br />
and free to boot. It also creates particularly<br />
good-looking flare when low in the sky<br />
during the afternoon and early evening.<br />
05 use live view<br />
Switch to Live View so you can easily assess<br />
how shots (and flare) will look. Rotate the<br />
pipe back and forth in front of the lens and<br />
move around your subject to reposition<br />
yourself in relation to the light source. Fire<br />
the shutter when you’re ready. Flare-tastic!<br />
06 pipe dreams need practice<br />
You won’t magically get a flare as soon as<br />
you hold the ring in front of your lens.<br />
Consider where the sun is in the sky, and<br />
the position of your subject in relation to it.<br />
Practice makes perfect, so keep tweaking<br />
until all the elements line up.<br />
52<br />
www.digitalcameraworld.com
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