Why do I get a green dot in the center at small apertures and zoom, and how can I avoid it?
Asked 12/24/2019
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2 answers
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I’m seeing a small green dot or spot exactly in the center of my photos, especially when I use a smaller aperture and zoom in. My camera is a Sony A6000 with the 16–50mm kit lens, no filters, and sometimes I use the on-camera flash. The issue appears when shooting an object on a white A4 sheet or in a bright improvised light tent with LED ceiling lights and window/room light. What causes this center spot, and what’s the best way to prevent or fix it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
1
If it is always in the center it could be a reflection off the sensor. This usually happens when an older lens is used, one designed before digital. Film is less reflective than a sensor. This should not happen with a modern lens under normal conditions. The key word is normal, your setup may not be not normal, it may be pushing the limit.
To get detail on your black subject, you may have increased the exposure too much causing the white background to be way overexposed. The bright white in the frame can intensify the sensor reflection.
Do you need a white background? Try gray.
Try filling the frame with the object so the white is a smaller percentage of the frame.
Or, only put the white background near the object. Put a neutral color around the perimeter of the frame. Extend the white background in post.
Originally by user84623. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user84623
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is most likely a central reflection/ghosting artifact: light reflects between the sensor and lens elements and shows up as a green spot near the center. It’s more likely when a very bright area is in the frame, especially an overexposed white background, and small apertures can make it more obvious.
Based on the setup described, the white paper/background is probably too bright relative to the subject, which intensifies the reflection. It can also happen with strong direct light sources or flash.
To reduce it:
- Lower the brightness of the background so it isn’t blown out.
- Use a gray or less reflective background instead of pure white.
- Fill more of the frame with the subject so the bright white area is smaller.
- Keep white only behind the subject, with a more neutral area toward the edges.
- Avoid direct bright light or flash reflecting straight back into the lens.
If needed, the spot can often be retouched in post, but changing the lighting/background is the proper fix.
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