Swirly lip-balm filter

Yesterday, when I was attempting to get a good lens flare shot, I remembered that I'd read somewhere that putting a bit of vaseline on your filter (in the area where the sun is) really helps increase the flare.

I thought it highly unlikely that putting grease on a filter would aid lens flare. I also thought it highly unlikely that camera + grease would end up being a good idea. But of course, I had to try, so - not having any vaseline - I put a bit of lip balm on my UV filter. As predicted it turned the sun into a big blotchy mess (I was possibly a bit heavy handed!) but it made the garden look pretty swirly.

Thought I'd have another go today with other subjects in the back garden (lazy-blip day) and discovered that the type of lip balm you use is very important (so maybe vaseline would work for lens flare!). The first type I used did nothing but make the shots look a bit steamed up. The second type did this

..ooooh swirly lip balm, you'd have thought!


(and yes it did wash off very easily with soap and water!)