Ideation
This phase is about figuring out how it may be possible to create prismatic flare and reflection effects.
Objectives
The objective is to do some research on how the photo effects can be created and sketch some potential solutions. The two primary photo effects that I want to create are in-camera flares and rainbow projections.
Research
Lens Flares
Lens flares are caused when strong direct light goes into the lens of the camera. The light bounces around between the mirrors and the haloing and light streaks make it to the film or sensor of the camera. The result is an etherial dreamlike feel to the photograph. This effect is often used in portrait photography and can also be seen in long exposure city-scapes where the city lights look like starbursts.
This selfie was done with natural light as the sun was setting over cityscape of Florence
While flares can be created by using the sun in the morning or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, they can also be created artificially by directing LEDs or other lights directly into the lens. Sometimes photographers will use an LED flashlight, and may even direct the light through a unique transparent surface like a disposable waterbottle to bend the light into an interesting haze. You can see the streaks across my face and over my shoulder with the clouds softening the harshness of the light.
Sample of photographic flare from an artficial light source
Flares can be directed into a linear pattern if the light is given somewhere to collect. A well defined narrow scratch on the lens or a piece of taught fishing line can yield this effect. The drawback is that it creates distinct lines in the Bokeh of the picture (the out of focus blurred areas of a photograph).
A hack to create linear flares using fishing line taped over the lens