Lens Flare

I used to enjoy the lens flare tool available in Adobe's Photoshop back in the day. Not only do they spruce up a picture (depending on the use) or liven up lighting effects in some of my former renderings in my college days but they also add a certain dimension to the image.

But what exactly is a lens flare?

The way I understand the matter, it's caused by extreme bright lights from or within the peripheral of the subject which is also reflected within the lens of the camera.

If used intentionally, it creates a more dramatic or realistic feel to a photograph.

(this shot is taken at Roxas Blvd. Lens flare is generated mostly because of the reflections within the Aiptek camera that I was using back then)