{"id":56000,"date":"2019-02-27T09:00:35","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=56000"},"modified":"2024-01-10T10:45:55","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T15:45:55","slug":"when-to-use-a-lens-hood-to-improve-your-shots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/when-to-use-a-lens-hood-to-improve-your-shots\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Use a Camera Lens Hood to Improve Your Shots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A camera lens hood<\/strong> is a camera lens accessory that is often overlooked by beginners and even by some seasoned shooters. Many think it\u2019s just there to make you and your gear look more professional, but this mere piece of plastic or metal that attaches to the front of your lens can make a huge difference in the quality of your images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will hopefully help beginners understand lens hoods better and shed some light (pun unintended) on how lens hoods are meant to be used to improve one\u2019s photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. What is a Lens Hood For?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Types of Lens Hoods<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. When to Use a Lens Hood<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. How to Use a Lens Hood<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. When Not to Use Lens Hoods<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Camera Lens Hood Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What is a Lens Hood For?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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    \"outdoor
    Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    So what is the purpose of a lens hood?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are actually several reasons why you should use one, particularly when shooting outdoors or in any shooting situation where you will be working with strong light sources. Since most types of photography<\/a> essentially involve chasing light, there are many instances when a lens hood could be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But for you to really understand their value, find out how a camera lens hood can work for you once you’ve attached it to your lens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It Blocks Unwanted Light<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The main purpose of a hood is to block or reduce the amount of lens flare<\/a> and glare in your photos by acting like a visor for your lens. Flare and glare are types of scattered light that hit your lens from an angle (outside the frame) and makes it hard to see, like when you step out in bright light. This is more likely to happen if you\u2019re using a low-quality filter or an old one that doesn\u2019t have advanced anti-glare coatings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While lens flares can serve as interesting elements in a photo, they can be distracting, especially when they end up covering your subject or most of your scene. Even when you intend to add flares, too much of it can make your image look amateurish, which is why many professionals recommend avoiding them in general with the use of a lens hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It Adds Image Contrast<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When lens flares and strong glares hit your lens, they essentially block your view. They wash out your image and potentially even produce discolorations, thus reducing contrast and overall image quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With lens hoods, you can keep stray light from entering the lens and ensure that it gets a good, clear view of a scene. You can test this yourself, but make sure you use the same exposure settings in your comparison images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It Helps Protect the Lens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    An added benefit of using a lens hood is that it serves as an added layer of protection for the front lens element. Many photographers settle for camera filters<\/a> or even a lens cap to protect the external lens. However, the external placement and material of lens hoods make them a better shield against accidental impacts, scratches, fingerprints, and even falling snow and debris when shooting in harsh weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While there\u2019s no assurance that a lens hood could keep your lens safe when you drop it, there\u2019s still a pretty good chance that the hood will absorb most of the impact. Any shooter would rather have a cracked lens hood than a cracked front glass element. This is why many professionals would suggest that you keep it on even when you\u2019re not worried about unwanted light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Types of Lens Hoods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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    \"cylindrical
    Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Lens hoods don\u2019t vary wildly. They simply come in two different shapes: a cylindrical shape and a petal shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cylindrical Lens Hoods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Cylindrical lens hoods generally work well in blocking stray light and protecting your lens. They often accompany a prime or telephoto lens<\/a>. Although they are usually long, there\u2019s very little risk of the hood showing up in your frame since the field of view becomes smaller when you start using longer focal lengths. You\u2019ll also find rubber lens hoods that are cylindrical in shape and flatten towards the base when not in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Petal Lens Hoods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Petal (or tulip) lens hoods are uniquely designed to be shorter and have curved notches that strategically block out light while maximizing the frame size offered by a wide angle lens<\/a> and full-frame camera sensors. It typically has four petals and you need to rotate them correctly so they don\u2019t end up in your frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fortunately, there\u2019s no need to worry about which type or style of lens hood to buy. There is usually just one hood for each lens\u2014each optimized for use with the lens\u2019 focal length <\/a>range\u2014so you can easily ask or research about the appropriate lens hood shape for your lens. <\/p>\n\n\n

    <\/div>
    Do You Need a Lens Hood? | Ask David Bergman<\/div><\/div>
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