How to Fake a Lens Flare in Photoshop Using Gradients and Layer Blending (No Plugin Required)

How to Fake a Lens Flare in Photoshop Using Gradients and Layer Blending (No Plugin Required)

I used to think lens flare effects required either an expensive prime lens shot wide open into harsh backlight, or some bloated plugin that costs more than a budget nifty fifty. Turns out neither is true. In this Jessica Kobeissi tutorial on creating a lens flare effect in Photoshop, she walks through a surprisingly simple gradient-based method that produces a convincing warm, glowing flare using tools that are already sitting in your Photoshop toolbar.