History Main / LensFlare

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': Series 5 and 6 with the [[Creator/MattSmith Eleventh Doctor]], has a ridiculous amount of lens flare, possibly to show off the new [[HighDefinition HD]] format (the series 5 premiere was only the fifth episode of the show broadcast in HD).

* ''GurrenLagann'' uses these to an extreme, each and every {{eyecatch}} uses at least one lens flare.
* The opening stock footage (right after the opening) of ''SerialExperimentsLain'' contains a bit of lens flare.
* Used in episode 3 of ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'' in Beatrice and [[spoiler:Virgilia]]'s Myth Battle, when Beatrice summons a divine shield. See 4:22 of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT7poKqGiNE this video]].

* There is always real lens flare around the spinners in ''Film/BladeRunner'' as the light on top of them is so bright. Invoked by the design team as they noted the lens flare made them seem more real and less like pieces of plastic flying around

* All of the [=UFOs=] in ''Film/CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'' appear in night-time shots, festooned with lights that produce ''lots'' of lens flare - culminating of course in the giant mothership.

* There are many types of lens flares. One of the most famous is the one produced by anamorphic lenses, used to shoot movies in CinemaScope format. These have a very special type of lens because of the curved lens and the old Panavision tended to be blue. They look like [[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/PixelMagic/anamorphic_flare_01.jpg this]] and tend to feel big budget. The reason comes from that most movies shot anamorphic (at least tended to) be very big budget productions.

* The trailers and especially the posters for ''Film/ManOfSteel'' exhibit this, in instances like Superman hovering in front of the sun.

* This is not merely an animation or CGI trope. Modern lens coating has reduced flare a lot, but many prefer to use older lenses (which are more prone to flare) as strong coating has much higher contrast and many directors prefer the softer look of lenses with less (or no coating). For example Janusz Kaminski and Spielberg used uncoated lenses on ''SavingPrivateRyan'' for that reason.

-->--'''Rick Murray''' during a filler video

* Parodied in ''HotFuzz''. When Sgt. Angel is in the pub for the first time doing his little SherlockScan on all the minors in the pub he spots one kid who smiles at the same time a car outside turns on its lights, causing a hilariously over the top Flare that blinds Sgt. Angel.

* In the second ''PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' movie, the camera does a worm's-eye-view of Jack on the ship's deck, with a big ring-shaped lens flare surrounding him. The DVD commentary shamelessly calls that "the greatest lens flare in cinema".

* ''{{Super 8}}'': The amount of scenes ''don't'' have a lens flare could be counted with both hands. Oh yeah, also made by Abrams.
* ''JurassicPark'' has plenty caused by spotlights and lamps in dimly lit or night environments.

* The 2009 ''Film/StarTrek'' movie uses a lot of lens flare. This was a style decision by director J. J. Abrams, who [[http://io9.com/5230278/jj-abrams-admits-star-trek-lens-flares-are-ridiculous later admitted]] he went overboard with the lens flares. Most of flares in the movie were real however, as it was VERY brightly lit, with the ship shining everywhere, causing the flares.

* All of the [=UFOs=] in ''CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'' appear in night-time shots, festooned with lights that produce ''lots'' of lens flare - culminating of course in the giant mothership.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': Series 5 and 6 with the [[MattSmith Eleventh Doctor]], has a ridiculous amount of lens flare, possibly to show off the new [[HighDefinition HD]] format (The series 5 premiere was only the fifth episode of the show broadcast in HD).

* ''WebAnimation/HowItShouldHaveEnded'': Parodied in "How Star Trek Should Have Ended".

* The music video for {{Eminem}}'s "Love the Way You Lie" uses about a million of these, making a gritty story about an abusive relationship oddly (visually) beautiful.
* The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oCCnxBos10 video]] for the MichaelJackson / Akon duet "Hold My Hand", made well after Jackson died, abuses lens flares to give seemingly everything nice in the world an etherial, "magical" quality.

* ''{{Southland}}'': This show is riddled with them.

* ''MassEffect'' has this for any light or computer screen, creating a the "imaginary line" version of the flare, and being a techy sci-fi game, this is practically everywhere...

* ''Series/{{FRINGE}}'': J. J. Abrams creation which uses Lens Flare frequently, especially during dark scenes.

* ''Series/{{Revolution}}'': In episode 7, the pendant randomly turns on and activates the lighthouse in the middle of the big fight sequence.

* The 2009 ''Film/StarTrek'' movie uses a lot of lens flare. This was a style decision by director J. J. Abrams, who [[http://io9.com/5230278/jj-abrams-admits-star-trek-lens-flares-are-ridiculous later admitted]] he went overboard with the lens flares.
** Most of flares in the movie were real however, as it was VERY brightly lit, with the ship shining everywhere, causing the flares.

* ''{{Firefly}}'': The camera lens filters were sent back for worse ones that didn't filter out lens flare. To give it that documentary feel.
* ''Series/{{FRINGE}}'': Another J. J. Abrams creation, also uses LensFlare frequently, especially during dark scenes.
* ''Series/{{Lost}}'': Often used LensFlare, fueling some EpilepticTrees theories about "mysterious flashes" turning up in some scenes.

* Older ''AceCombat'' games (such as Air and 2) has no lens flare. Conversely, it got really gratuitous in 3: Electrosphere (but it does look awesome). Later games have it, but not as pronounced.
** It does serve quite functionally. If you line up the lens flare, you [[CaptainObvious ''will'' get disoriented by staring at the sun]]. Think that's not a big deal? The very first mission in Electrosphere has you heading towards the sunset to intercept some backup fighters. For a lack of better term, you basically ''couldn't see shit'' (aside from the lens flare that is).

** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'', the aliens glow which produces a lens flare. Because there is no cross hair while aiming you bow, this makes it easier to shoot them by lining up the circles of light.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' uses a more realistic hexagonal lens flare plus the darkening of the screen when the camera is pointed at the sun to better simulate the effects of a digital video camera (the image on a digital camera darkens when the camera is pointed at a bright light).

* ''QuestionableContent'': [[http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1485 Samurai AnthroPC vs. squirrel]]
** [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2110 Now featuring lens flare]] [[RecycledInSpace IN SPAAACE!]]

* It appears quite often in ''WebVideo/TheAutobiographyOfJaneEyre'', especially when Jane records her entry outside. It adds to the vlog's unpolished, home-made feel. For instance, it was present when Jane was showing her viewers the sky through trees in the park near her new home, or when her little student Adele set up the camera to record their dinner, there was light coming from the ceiling lamp.

* It appears quite often in ''WebVideo/TheAutobiographyOfJaneEyre'', especially when Jane records her entry outside. It adds to the vlog's unpolished, home-made feel. For instance, it was present when Jane was showing her viewers the sky through trees in the park near her new homea, or when her little student Adele set up the camera to record their dinner, there was light coming from the ceiling lamp.

* Parodied in ''[[WebAnimation/HowItShouldHaveEnded How Star Trek Should Have Ended]]''.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' used a (rather subtle) lens flare during Pinkie Pie's song, "Smile, Smile, Smile."

** Apple's iMovie editing software actually has a lens flare effect. Presumably other editing software does as well.
*** There are also many types of lens flares. One of the most famous is the one produced by anamorphic lenses, used to shoot movies in CinemaScope format. These have a very special type of lens because of the curved lens and the old Panavision tended to be blue. They look like [[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/PixelMagic/anamorphic_flare_01.jpg this]] and tend to feel big budget. The reason comes from that most movies shot anamorphic (at least tended to) be very big budget productions.

* This shows in the {{GrandTheftAuto}} series especially during sunrises or when you're nearing a beach.

* All of the UFOs in ''CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'' appear in night-time shots, festooned with lights that produce ''lots'' of lens flare - culminating of course in the giant mothership.

* Series 5 and 6 of ''Series/DoctorWho'' with the [[MattSmith Eleventh Doctor]], has a ridiculous amount of lens flare, possibly to show off the new [[HighDefinition HD]] format (The series 5 premiere was only the fifth episode of the show broadcast in HD).
* The camera lens filters on ''{{Firefly}}'' were sent back for worse ones that didn't filter out lens flare. To give it that documentary feel.
* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' often used LensFlare, fueling some EpilepticTrees theories about "mysterious flashes" turning up in some scenes.
* ''Series/{{FRINGE}}'', another J. J. Abrams creation, also uses LensFlare frequently, especially during dark scenes
* ''{{Southland}}'' is riddled with them.