Lens Flare; what to do?

So I was shooting my first show in a while last Saturday, and during the show I noticed lens flare was going to be a problem. It seemed like I was getting more flare then usual and I was wondering if there Is a method to prevent it. I don't use filters at shows. Do different lenses fare differently with flare? I was using the 50 1.8. Would the 50 1.4 fare better? Does aperture matter? Focal length?

I appreciate the help, it's just frustrating get usable photos only to have flare like crazy. (yes I know the background is blown out but that was a whole other story, shooting into sunset and all)

Thanks

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Since that is pretty much dead centre, using a hood may not really eliminate it. I would have just taken a few steps left to blot out the sun.

Sometimes polarizers can help, but I typically don't use them indoors myself or in heavy shade. Do you use hoods?

Aperture should not make much difference. But a different focal length or zoom may give you more options for positioning yourself. As Elysium pointed out, sometimes you can "side-step" the glare issue. I can't recall which lenses are " L " constructions, but they often have better coatings and optical formulas that may ward off conditions like this.

From your angle for that particular shot, your only option as said above would have been to step to the left to put the sun behind his head.

L's do have coatings and designs to try to minimize flare but they aren't flare proof either. My 70-200 will flare like crazy depending on my angle to the sun or lights and if I shoot without the hood, become a flare monster .

A few things to minimize flare:

1. Shoot with a lens hood.
2. Avoid shooting directly into bright light or having a bright light source just outside the frame.
3. Remove filters without flare coatings. Even flare resistant filters will flare in some conditions.
4. Did I mention, Shoot with a lens hood

I don't think anything would have helped here.
Not sure, but I think this is light bouncing from the sensor to the back of the lens, then back.

This flare seems to originate from the middle of the frame. YOu may try to move around until the light source that is causing the flare is behind another object. I can not think of any accessories that would help. Even the best of lenses can flare under extreme situations.