A few people asked yesterday what this blathering about a lens hood was all about. First, I’m no expert. Second, I don’t know that it’s an option if you’re every point and shoot, but I did check and they can be found for at least a few of them.
So, here goes my explanation: sometimes light can play funny tricks if it hits the surface of your lens just right. Without a lens hood, you run the risk of getting flare (which actually can look pretty cool if sometimes) or this “fog,” which since it can rarely be called cool, is what I usually get.
Here’s an example:
If you click on the photo, you’ll see that in addition to cutting of half of T’s head, there’s also a fog at the top of the shot. There’s a window above and the glare from that window was hitting the surface of my lens and causing this light spot, or area of poor contrast.
If I’d had a lens hood on, the fog would have been avoided. Lens hoods also protect the lens a bit if you drop it–the lens surface would be held up from the…I don’t know…gravel driveway…as the lens made impact with it. Of course, my camera would probably be scratched to bits, but at least my glass wouldn’t be scratched!
phyllis says:
ah…helpful:-) thanks!
February 8th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Sassy says:
I know what you mean. The more I play with my camera the more I find bits and pieces that would make it *that* much better.
February 9th, 2008 at 9:30 pm