Create practical/in camera lens flares/light leaks?

[ajedproduction]

https://vimeo.com/55183935

For example, the shot at 00.11, and lots of other shots in that short. I've seen this affect used in other shots as well. It's definitely something physical in front of the lens somehow. Anyone have any ideas how it's done?

Yes I've tried asking the creator of the video.

 

[ItDonnedOnMe]

To me that just looks like they've got vaseline or something similar on the lens - well, probably not on the lens itself, but on a clear UV filter in front.

You might want to give "lens whacking" a try if you're looking for interesting light leak/flare effects. Remove the lens from the camera, then hold it in place with your hand - shift it around slightly while you film to allow light to leak in around the back of the lens. It also add a tilt-shift look to the focus point. It creates an overall effect that is more complex than what's in the example video.

 

[Will Vincent]

Looks like that might just be the old vaseline on the lens trick, or even stockings (pantyhose) stretched across the front of the lens to bloom out highlights more. My money is more on the vaseline thing though since it looks like schmutz on the lens being illuminated from the window.


IDOM mentioned lens whacking, that was my initial thought as well (before I watched the clip). It can produce interesting light leak and selective focus effects.. Good for music videos and whatnot.

Filmriot demonstrated (and taught how to do) it in an episode a while back...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5dPzO6C-rI

 

[rabbit]

He is putting a piece of glass in front of the lens. You can read about it in comments of other of his videos.