How to Eliminate Lens Flare?

How do people get shots directly into the sun without having flare? I'm using decent, clean Nikon glass, but I basically get shot-ruining flare every time I point toward the sun. If this is something people are fixing in Photoshop, how do you do it? Thanks!

Do you use a properly designed lens hood? Have you removed all filters? Do you preview the image with the DOF preview button to see what you will actually get?

This is what I do: http://www.my-photo-blog.com/how-to-avoid-lens-flare

What Ron said. After I learned that technique, no more lens flare ever.

Awesome, Ron! I thought you were joking at first. "I just put my finger in front of that nasty thang!" I can't wait to try this out.

I shoot a lot into the sun. I've ued the same technique before as well, but usually I just clone out the flare unless it's just impossible to do so (maybe 3-5% of the time) 92-95% a simple clone can solve the issue in 10 seconds or so. Many of (most of) my images are beach scenes, so perhaps cloning is easier for me than most.

Ron that is a nice idea indeed :)

That a great idea Ron, and I'll certainly try it next time I'm shooting landscapes. However, my problem is in winter, I shoot ski racing, and in Ontario the ski slopes are north facing and the sun is low in the southern hemisphere so I'm always facing into the sun and skiers are coming down through gates at 40-50 mph. Not a lot of time to stick my fingers over the lens, so I am open to any idea that will help to reduce flare under those conditions.

Ron that's awesome! Thanks for sharing such a great idea.

This is what I do: http://www.my-photo-blog.com/how-to-avoid-lens-flare

Ron, that's the best use for blending I've ever seen.
Brilliant!

Dust specs on your lens can increase the likelihood of flare. Make sure your lens is clean.

The blends work pretty well but as noticed in Ron's example image, the sunstar is noticeably a little cutoff at the bottom. One of the best ways to eliminate/reduce flare, but a little expensive, is not using zoom lenses and go to a prime. It must be a newer design with the latest coatings, pro glass is really the only way. You'll find that flare is almost nonexistent when shooting into the sun with these lenses. My TS-E 24mm L II (yeap, here I go pumping up this lens) is virtually flare free except in very extreme conditions. If buying a prime is not in the budget then Ron's fix is the best.

I do like your idea, Ron. I posted the link to your blog entry on my Facebook Alexandra Gallery Page so my fans could read it. I've have had some luck with lens hoods since I started trying that. For some reason, I have a hard time using my filters (like my polarizer) and screwing my lens hood on top of it... so I have to hold it in place. I'm open to other suggestions from people on ways to avoid lens flare as well. I have tried cloning and adjusting it out. But sometimes that can be time consuming. I'd rather be able to avoid lens flare from the sun affecting my photos while I'm taking them, than having to correct it later, if I can help it.

Alexandra- When the sun is not shining directly into the lens as in Ron's example, all you have to do is keep the sun from striking the front glass of the lens. If a lens hood will do that, you're golden. If not, reach one hand up and use it to shade the front of the lens while watching through the viewfinder to keep it out of frame. If that's not possible while looking through the viewfinder, put on a cable release and stand to the side of the camera and direct the shadow from your hand onto the front of the lens.

I use a very simple technique

I use one hand to cover the part of the sun's rays are causing the flare

Works for me

Ive used Ron's method frequently, problem is its tough to tell if you are eliminating all the flare at the time, and with time-dependent shots (moving clouds, sunrises etc) wasting time sticking something in front of the sun (i usually use a hat) isnt always the best. I hope to check out the TS Jerry mentions soon to see its as good as hyped