Optical Lens Flares: Realistic Light Bloom & Anamorphic Streaks

Anamorphic vs Spherical Lens Flares

• Anamorphic Flares: Horizontal cyan/blue light streaks produced by cylindrical anamorphic glass elements (common in sci-fi and modern Hollywood thrillers).
• Spherical Flares: Circular halo rings, iris polygons, and warm golden starburst blooms (common in natural sunlight and documentary cinematography).

Matching Light Source Vectors

Never place a lens flare in the center of the screen unless an actual light bulb or the sun is visible there. Align flare origins directly over physical in-scene light fixtures or let them sweep across the frame as the camera pans past overhead streetlights.

Blending Modes & Color Integration

Apply lens flare overlays from our Raw Clips Library with Screen or Linear Dodge (Add) mode. Tint the flare color to match the ambient Kelvin temperature of the light source.