You’ve seen them in movies and will soon notice them when shooting your own work, but what exactly are lens flares and how can you incorporate them into your videos? Read on to learn how lens flares are made in-camera, the best way to use them to enhance your videos, and what resources you need to add them in post-production. Let’s get started.
Summary
Part 1: What is a lens flare?
Camera lenses are masterpieces of engineering. One brilliant thing they do is ensure that the correct amount of light enters the camera, minimizing reflections and refractions. They’re not perfect, however.
Lens flares occur when a source of light that isn’t an intended part of the image enters the lens. This could be from the sun, a lamp, or a flashlight — anything from the back or side of the shot that’s directing light into your camera. You can learn more about shooting lens flares with a still camera if you’re curious. This phenomenon creates a recognizable pattern of circles and lines darting around the image as you move the camera or if objects block the source of the light.
In some sci-fi or thriller movies, you might also see lens flares appear as lines across the screen. This happens when movies are shot on anamorphic lenses — ultra-wide lenses designed to shoot images to fit on 35mm film and then blown up to suit a cinema screen, which results in stretching the lens flare.
Lens flares are often used for atmospheric effect, creating impressive visuals to enhance headlamps, flashlights, or a desert sun. They can also be added afterward to enhance lights on things like spaceships or reflections on spacesuits.
Part 2: Top 23 lens flares for editors (over 250 styles)
Motion Array has many lens flare assets to add to your projects. If you haven’t captured one on set, try adding it in post-production.
1. Free Lens Flare Video
This free lens flare pack is a simple way of introducing a lens flare into your footage. The stock video asset was created from a real lens flare. Drag and drop it onto your timeline and change the blending mode to Screen or Additive.
Free Lens Flare Video Download
2. Light Leaks Generator Presets 3.0
This is a massive pack of lens flares of all sizes and shapes for you to play with. Drag and drop them onto an adjustment layer in Premiere Pro, and change the speed, duration, and color to get the perfect results. Try using them as transitions to move from scene to scene seamlessly.
Download Light Leaks Generator Presets 3.0 Now
3. Light Leaks Presets
Download this pack for 10 lens flare presets ready to use in Premiere Pro. Just drop them onto an adjustment layer and you’re good to go, with smooth, modern lens flares to enhance your videos.
Download Light Leaks Presets Now
4. Light Leaks Generator 2.0
With 30 presets and 12 transitions, this Premiere Pro pack is a valuable asset in any video production. These light leaks add simple, clean color to your projects, or you can build on them to produce flares.
Download Light Leaks Generator 2.0 Now
5. Sun Flare Overlays
Create an adjustment layer over your footage and add any of these 10 lens flare effects. They’re great for upbeat, vibrant videos using plenty of light, such as weddings and promos. Everything can be done directly in Premiere Pro.
Download Sun Flare Overlays Now
6. Cinematic Lens Flare
With light leak and light beam options, you can easily adapt this Final Cut Pro lens flare to suit your needs. Now you can turn dull lighting clips into cinematic Hollywood-style classics.
Download Cinematic Lens Flare Now
7. Sunbeams
These sunbeams are a charming addition to any footage with a strong light source. Add them to natural environments such as windows or doors to immediately create a dramatic atmosphere. This Final Cut Pro effect requires no plugins and will work wonderfully whether you create footage or stills.
8. Modern Color Kit With Light Leaks
Much more than just a light leaks pack, this After Effects download has 100 presets for color correction and 31 pre-rendered light leaks. Use the leaks in conjunction with the color grades to create the perfect image. This package comes with a concise tutorial, so you won’t go wrong.
Download Modern Color Kit With Light Leaks Now
9. Light Leaks Preset Pack
This After Effects package allows you to use up to 40 bright and dynamic light leaks in your work. You can easily drop them into your student, documentary, or commercial project to bring your footage to life with different colors and tones.
Download Light Leaks Preset Pack Now
10. 30 Light Leaks Pack
This massive pack of 30 light leaks is bound to have something you’ll need. Whether creating a wedding video, a commercial promo, or a YouTube video, grab one of these lens flares and try using it as a transition or overlay on your footage.
Download 30 Light Leaks Pack Now
11. Sun Flare Overlays
This Premiere Pro pack of 10 presets will add professional sunlight flares to your videos. It’s ideal for romantic clips, family shoots, or product promos. Simply drag and drop to the adjustment layer and you’re done.
Download Sun Flare Overlays Now
12. Light Leaks Pack
This pack is an absolute must-have for video editors. With 62 light leaks, 31 bokeh, and 70 light burn elements, there’s something here for everyone. Adjust the opacity, hue, and saturation to create bespoke transitions and effects.
13. Lens Flare Transitions
Whether you’re making a corporate presentation or a personal travel video, these lens flare transitions are a stylish way of jumping into another scene. Download this pack to access 11 clean transitions and start using them in your Premiere Pro projects right away.
Download Lens Flare Transitions Now
14. Lens Flare Rolling Transitions
More than flares to enhance your images, these rolling lens flares are doubled with zooms and warps to create excellent dynamic transitions for your presentations and commercials. Use this pack in Premiere Pro without any plugins and immediately enhance your work.
Download Lens Flare Rolling Transitions Now
15. Light Leaks and Optical Flares
If you use the Optical Flares plugin for After Effects, take it to the next level with these 10 custom presets. At Full HD and 60fps, there’s plenty to play with here. Combine them with the 6 lens flare transitions included in the pack for best results.
Download Light Leaks and Optical Flares Now
16. Faded Lens Flare
This atmospheric orange lens flare would enhance a moody, cinematic scene. Download this 4K stock video asset and position it anywhere on your footage to improve it.
17. Warm Lens Flare
If you want an inviting, friendly tone in your videos, try adding this warm lens flare. Featuring a stock video that was created by filming real lens flares, it won’t look out of place in your footage. Experiment with screening modes to achieve an impressive finished product.
18. Soft Lens Flares
These stunning blue lens flares illuminate the corners of the frame and would work beautifully with fashion videos such as jewelry showcases. The 4K ProRes file allows you to use the pack in any project.
19. Gold Lens Flares
Try these glowing gold lens flares for a more premium look to add to your luxury videos. Create striking transitions by laying this stock clip over your footage in Premiere Pro and changing the blending mode.
20. Pumping Lens Flares
For something with a bit more dynamism, go for these pumping lens flares. In contrast with the gentle movements of the light leaks, these flashes accentuate footage in the edges of the frame to create an atmospheric result.
Download Pumping Lens Flares Now
21. Flare Transitions
These flares are designed to help you transition seamlessly between media in your commercial videos or presentations. Final Cut Pro users get a wealth of editing options with 25 different styles. The pack supports both full HD and 4K videos, making it usable in most projects.
Download Flare Transitions Now
22. Anamorphic Lens Flares
Anamorphic lens flares are wide, stretched lines designed to resemble footage shot with an anamorphic lens. Overlay them on your footage to create a dreamy feel with a cinematic look.
Download Anamorphic Lens Flares Now
23. Cinematic Lens Flare Pack
A fantastic pack of 7 softer lens flares that will make your videos look professional and polished, use it as an overlay or background to add an abstract effect to your next production.
Download Cinematic Lens Flare Pack
Part 3: 5 tips and tricks for using lens flare overlays
So you’ve now got plenty of lens flare overlays to play with. How do you use them most effectively in your work? Here are five tips to get you started.
1. Use sparingly
Lens flares are visually engaging and can elevate your project’s quality, but they need to be used in the right place and at the right time. Covering the footage with too many lens flares will be distracting. Remember to keep the story at the center of what you’re doing and incorporate lens flares where they offer real value.
2. Consider transitions
Lens flares can be used to accentuate video footage or create transitions. When a lens flare reaches the point where the bloom covers the entire frame, cut the clip to make the transition as seamless as possible. When timed correctly, this can be a powerful way to carry your videos.
3. Pick the right color
Many of the light leaks and lens flares above are customizable. Play around with the color or color grade them to match the footage to keep your video consistent. Of course, you can use a sharp contrast to good effect, but it won’t look natural if that’s your goal.
4. Consider the blending mode
Many effects work best when set to Additive or Screen Blending modes, but don’t rule out the others. Try adding your lens flare to an adjustment layer and changing the blending mode to ensure you’re getting the best possible result.
5. Don’t forget motion graphics
Although lens flares come from shooting with a camera and look great when accentuating footage, try using them in your motion graphics videos as well. They can work beautifully in space scenes and anything that needs a premium feel.
Now you know all about using lens flares and where to find some great free lens-flare effects. There are many style options to choose from, and the resources above should give you plenty to work with. When a lens flare can’t be created in-camera or if you haven’t filmed the effect you were hoping for, adding them in post-production is a brilliant way to finish off your video.
