Lens Flare In Photoshop Elements

There are a variety of ways to use the Lens Flare tool in computer art programmes. It is important to treat the flare as a source of light.

The Lens Flare in a digital painting is a point of light. Used as an abstract element of design, it would not be attached literally to any elements of the design.

But if an artist means to use the flare in a painterly manner it is important to remember what the flare is meant to do.

Imagine what this simple drawing would be like if a Lens Flare was added to it. It would give it a new dimension. The glare from the flare would shine on the character's face. The flare would be placed directly inside the lamp, shining from the inside out, illuminating the image.

Each star in this Halloween picture could be given a light source. The impact of this over use of a device would be the loss of dramatic effect. The scatteredness of the technique would dilute it. There are only a few little pin pricks of lens flare used in this starry image and the light source has been diffused. It is not suggested that the light is shining from any one place with in the picture plane.

In this Bat picture though, the Lens Flare has been placed to depict a glare shining right on the bat. The bats face is screwed up as if it is trying to block it out. The viewer can see where the glare is coming from. Visually we can track the light on the face of the bat and see the shadows that have been cast .

Computer artists must always be conscious of what they are trying to depict. Visual clues are hidden every where in a picture. It is the job of the teacher to show the student how to read these clues and to be able to describe what is happening.