Lens Flare Preview Suggestion

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
June 22, 2022
3 replies
999 views

Hello Hello -

for certain projects - i like adding a lens flare between the foreground and background to back-light my subject. I add the flare to black layer, and then set that black layer's mode to Screen.

It can be a tedious process, because there is no preview function on lens flares. When adding one, all you can see is the layer itself, not the entire project. So I have to use trial-and-error, to make sure the flare is placed exactly where I want it inbetween the two layers.

Would LOVE the ability to preview and adjust lens flares as they appear in the entire project before applying them, and hoping others feel the same.

Thanks!

-G.

macOS

This topic has been closed for replies.

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

If I am understanding your workflow, you don't need to preview because you can move and transform the flare layer. Especially if you make it a Smart Object.

I have all of the Nuckly Photoshop assets like his flares. (Just the flares are $19.)

My favourite method of adding flares is the Prodigital Starfilter Pro 4 plugin, in which II use the same workflow you described. Fill a new layer to black and set it to Screen, and add tiny white spots with the brush where I want the flares to be. If I want to get fancy, then I use Boris fx or+ Partical Shop, but that takes a lot longer and is less predictable.

I

imgaryshap74Author

Inspiring

adding lens flares should be previewable,, otherwise it's constant trial and error with Control-Z. And we shouldn't have to buy third party software to achieve this.

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

I suspect you need to look at your workflow, because everything I described is entirely visible as it is created, and it is also non-restructive. Do you use Smart Objects? Even if you are using a thrid party plug-in like Star Filter Pro 4, then so long as you are working with Smart Objects, you can double click the flares you add at any time to edit them.

Using flare brushes, like the Nuckly assets I mentioned, go on separate layers that can be moved and resized in real time. Yes you can create them from scratch natively, but that takes time, and if you are making a living at this, time is important. There are near infinite free image assets online, and it pays to save the best to a local drive for future use, or better still, to a CC Library.

J

JohninEncino

Participant

When I try to add any kind of lens flare to an image (JPG or PSD), the small preview box which would show where the effect is positioned on the image is black.

J E L

Community Expert

Yes, I see what you mean. It's a great suggestion, and I'll vote for it!

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