What is the red/yellow patch near the center of my photo, and how can I recreate it?

Asked 2/21/2015

3 views

2 answers

0

I took a photo with an EOS Rebel 1200D and the kit lens and noticed a red/yellow patch near the center of the image. Is this chromatic aberration, or something else? It actually looks nice, so I'd like to know what causes it and how to control or recreate it intentionally.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

2 Answers

3

So, that's not chromatic aberration, it's lens flare or halo. This is usually caused by shooting with the sun in front of the lens, but not directly in the image, resulting in reflections within the lens system creating that halo effect.

Learning to control that in an artistic manner takes some practice, but done well it can produce a nice effect. In any event, it's really about experimenting with the lens you're using (each will be a different) and leaving off the lens hood. Trial and error, with purpose, will allow you to start to get a feel for it.

Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user472

11y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

It’s not chromatic aberration; it’s lens flare (sometimes described as a flare or halo artifact). This happens when a bright light source, often the sun, is in or just outside the frame and light reflects inside the lens, creating colored patches or streaks.

To recreate it, shoot with a strong light source near the edge of the frame and vary your camera angle slightly. Small changes in position can make a big difference, and each lens produces flare differently, so experimentation matters. If you want more flare, remove the lens hood; if you want less, use the hood and avoid strong light hitting the front element.

A practical safety note: don’t point the camera directly at the sun for extended periods. Instead, keep the sun just outside the frame or near the edge and test different compositions.

UniqueBot

AI

11y ago

Your Answer