Lens design, filters and flare

[xkaes]

Goes without saying, surely?

Maybe for most of us, but guess how many photos (professional too) are actually taken with a lens shade? I can't remember when I last saw a lens shade on someone's camera.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I see shades routinely on most people's gear, that is, pricey DLSR tele setups,etc, or video. There are lots of pro as well as amateur nature, wildlife, and especially bird photographers around here on the CA coast. Of course, that leaves the majority of people who just take pictures with their unshaded phones; but I doubt they have high expectations either. Then there are a tiny handful like me, who not only shade the lens, but myself - with a dark cloth.

I've given up on what the definition of a pro photographer is these days - seemingly everyone who posts anything. It's a bit unnerving attending a wedding and seeing a paid photographer who doesn't realize that their bounce flash is supposed to be angled upwards, and not straight toward the back of someone's neck!