Phantom candle flames?

[Curtis N]

This is a shot of part of a theatre set. Notice the three mysterious greenish blobs in the fireplace? They appear to be a geometric inversion of the candle flames higher in the frame. If you drew lines between the real flames and the phantom flames, the lines would intersect right in the center of the image.

What causes this? Is there a way to prevent it?

Shot with Digital Rebel
28-90mm (kit lens from the 35mm Rebel)
70mm focal length
1/15 Sec. f/5
1600 ISO

[rent]

looks like flares to me. change the angle of the shot or use a different lens may yield better results.

oh, also, was there a filter on your lens? if so, taking it off may also help.

-alex

[Curtis N]

was there a filter on your lens? Yes, the standard cheap UV/haze filter.

[skyphix]

Ive had issues with cheap UV/Haze filters causing tremendous flare. TRy it without it.

[jfrancho]

Just zap them with the clone tool.

[Curtis N]

Just zap them with the clone tool.Hehe. That only works if you notice it BEFORE you order the prints! :)

Next time I process a load of theatre shots, it won't be at 2:00am.

[jfrancho]

Next time I process a load of theatre shots, it won't be at 2:00am.I think you've just answered your own question.

[Curtis N]

I think you've just answered your own question.Not really. My question was how to prevent it, not how to get rid of it when it happens.

I appreciate your suggestion, and yes, the ability to clean up images with software is one of the wonderful things about digital pictures. But if I had 200 images with candles in them (like maybe a wedding), it would be a royal pain!

[jfrancho]

Let me rephrase: some lens flair is inevitable, especially in the realm of theater lighting, and the solution is to take all measures to reduce the occurance, such as using high quality filters, lens hood, investigating camera angles, etc. Failing that, your only recourse is elininating the offending aspect before printing. It may not have occured to you that this is why WP are paid appropriately - either the flair is an asset to the image, or they have spent the effort to remove it.

[d'homme]

The extra candlle are reflection INSIDE your zoom. If its a cheap one, the len(S) aren't coated as well as the others. REmember a zoom is more than one piece of glass.

http://www.answers.com/topic/zoom-lens

[Curtis N]

The extra candlle are reflection INSIDE your zoom. If its a cheap one, Somehow I suspected that the solution to my problem would only cost a few thousand dollars.:(

[PhotosGuy]

Somehow I suspected that the solution to my problem would only cost a few thousand dollars. Haven't you figured that out yet? That's what we're here for! ;-)

Sometimes stopping down more will diminish that kind of flare.