A rainbow aura is a phenomenon where rainbow-colored bands or stripes appear to surround a person or object. This aura is often seen in photographs or videos, but it is not something that is physically present. Rather, it is an optical effect produced by the interaction of light with the camera lens. There are a few different factors that can cause a rainbow aura to appear in photos. The main causes have to do with the quality and settings of the camera, the presence of moisture or particles in the air, and the way the light is reflecting off the subject.
Camera Settings
One of the most common causes of rainbow auras in photos is related to the camera settings. Digital cameras have advanced sensors and lenses that can sometimes produce optical aberrations and other effects under certain conditions. Here are some camera-related factors that affect the appearance of rainbow auras:
Lens Flare
Lens flare occurs when stray light enters the camera lens and scatters across the image sensor. This often happens when shooting into or around a strong light source. The scattered light can take on prismatic rainbow colors as it passes through the round aperture of the lens. These colored lens flares will extend outward from the light source and can look like a rainbow aura surrounding the subject. Using a lens hood can cut down on lens flare causing rainbow auras.
Sensor Overload
The image sensor in a digital camera can get overloaded in very bright lighting conditions. When too much light hits the sensor, it can bloom across adjacent pixels, causing prismatic rainbow bands. A rainbow aura may show up around very reflective or bright objects if the camera sensor gets overloaded. Using a neutral density filter, lower ISO setting, or faster shutter speed can help prevent sensor overload rainbow auras.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is an optical defect that occurs due to the inability of the lens to focus all colors to the same point. It causes some color fringing in areas of high contrast. Purple, red, blue, and green color bands may appear on either side of high contrast edges. In some cases, colored fringing from chromatic aberration can look similar to a rainbow aura around subjects. Improved lens designs help minimize this aberration.
Atmospheric Conditions
In addition to camera settings, certain atmospheric conditions can also create the optical illusion of a rainbow aura. Small water droplets, dust, pollen, and other particles in the air can refract and disperse light into miniature rainbows under the right conditions:
Raindrops
When photographing in rain or mist, tiny water droplets suspended in the air act like mini prisms. Light entering the droplets is refracted and split into spectral colors. If the droplets surround a subject, they can project tiny rainbows that merge into a larger rainbow aura effect. The same principle causes rainbow auras to appear around objects near waterfalls.
Dust and Pollen
Fine particles like dust and pollen act similarly to water droplets in the air. Light passing by the particles is refracted into miniature rainbows that may converge around a subject. Rainbow auras are more likely to occur when photographing in dusty or pollen-filled conditions where more particles are present to split the light rays.
Orbs
Some orb-like rainbow auras are caused by particles very close to the camera lens. Dust, moisture, or pollen on the lens can create optical circles that take on rainbow colors due to dispersion of light. Cleaning the lens to remove close particles can reduce orb rainbow auras caused by specs on the lens itself.
Lighting and Reflectance
How the light strikes and reflects off the subject also impacts the appearance of rainbow auras:
Direct Sunlight
Bright, direct sunlight can more easily produce optical effects like lens flare. The combination of a strong light source and many suspended particles in the air increases the chance of rainbow auras around subjects in direct sun. Photographing with the sun behind the camera can minimize this effect.
Reflective Surfaces
Highly reflective, shiny, or wet surfaces are also more likely to generate rainbow bands and streaks in photos. Light bouncing off metallic, painted, oily, or wet subjects splits into constituent colors. The reflected spectral light rays then recombine as they reach the camera sensor, producing a rainbow aura effect.
Light Ray Convergence
Sometimes the way the light rays converge on the camera creates the illusion of a rainbow aura. Rays reflecting at different angles that meet as they enter the lens aperture can form color banding similar to chromatic aberration. Adjusting the position of the light source, camera, or subject can alter the convergence point and rainbow aura appearance.
Post-Processing Effects
In the digital age, photographic effects like rainbow auras can also be added after the photo is taken using post-processing and editing techniques:
Intentional Lens Flare
Many post-processing apps and filters intentionally add simulated lens flare for artistic effect. These often render convention rainbow auras around light sources or subjects. This faux flair can replicate the rainbow aura effect optically created by real lens artifacts.
Prism Filter
Applying a prism or rainbow filter will add prismatic color bands to photos. These filters digitally simulate dispersion effects, splitting light into visible spectra colors. Subjects take on fake rainbow auras when such artificial prismatic filters are used to alter the image.
Aura Layers
Some photo editors directly offer rainbow aura filters or overlays. These add a rainbow-hued layer on top of the image through blending modes like screen or overlay. The layered aura filters can give subjects a glowing rainbow aura not originally present in the unedited image.
Orb-like Auras vs Halo Auras
There are two main types of rainbow auras that can occur in photos:
Orb-like Auras
One is orb or circle-shaped rainbow auras. These are typically caused by close lens dust or moisture droplets. They manifest as focused ring or orb patterns with rainbow color bands. The orb auras normally appear centered on and close to the subject.
Halo Auras
The second is a larger rainbow halo or stripe aura effect. These result from more distant atmospheric particles or camera lens artifacts. The rainbow colors extend further outward from the subject, surrounding them in bands, stripes, or a hazy glow rather than a defined orb shape.
Distinguishing orb vs halo auras can help determine if the cause is related to issues on the lens itself or more ambient environmental dispersion effects.
Are Rainbow Auras Spiritual or Metaphysical?
Some believe rainbow auras in photos have a spiritual or metaphysical meaning. However, there is no scientific evidence that real-world subjects emit electromagnetic energy fields that manifest as visible rainbow auras detectable by cameras. The rainbow colors are optical illusions rather than representations of spiritual essences or life forces. Physical and environmental factors are enough to fully account for rainbow photo auras.
That said, some do believe rainbow auras indicate heightened energy, positive emotions, healing abilities, or a strong sense of self in the person or subject. But it is speculative to assign deeper metaphysical meanings to these photographic optical effects. Any apparent connection to mood or personality is mainly subjective interpretation and pareidolia – seeing meaningful patterns in random data.
Reducing Rainbow Aura Effects
While sometimes considered an intriguing effect, rainbow auras are technically photographic artifacts or defects. There are steps that can be taken to avoid or minimize rainbow banding and halo effects using both camera technique and post-processing:
Camera Technique Tips
– Use lens hood – Block stray peripheral light causing lens flare
– Check for lens dust – Clean lens to remove close particles
– Adjust aperture – Higher f-stop reduces chromatic aberration
– Watch exposure – Use lower ISO and faster shutter to prevent sensor overload
– Control lighting – Avoid strong direct light sources in frame
– Adjust position – Change camera, subject, or light angle to alter reflection
Post-Processing Improvements
– Remove lens flare – Use deflaring tools to reduce artificial flare effects
– Fix chromatic aberration – Use lens correction filters to fix color fringing
– Sample aura colors – Use healing tool to remove rainbow colors and recreate clean background
– Crop tightly – Trim away outer aura bands by cropping in closer
– Reduce highlights – Lower bright areas triggering sensor bloom and rainbow artifacts
– Apply noise reduction – Remove distracting color noise in aura areas
Enhancing Rainbow Auras
For those who want to intentionally enhance rainbow auras for creative effect, these post-processing techniques can help amplify the prismatic rainbow glow:
– Add lens flare – Apply artificial flare filter to boost rainbow bands
– Increase peripheral haze – Darken edges and add radial glow to expand aura
– Intensify colors – Make rainbows more vibrant with saturation boost
– Add aura overlay – Blend dedicated aura texture layer using screen mode
– Duplicate and blur – Copy into new layer, blur, and set to overlay blend
– Radial zoom effect – Stretch rainbow bands outwards from center for orb look
– Motion lines – Add flowing prismatic lines radiating outward
– Gradients and textures – Combine with complementary colors and patterns
When enhancing digitally, maintain a soft, diffuse glow rather than harsh rainbow bands for the most natural magical aura effect.
Conclusion
In summary, rainbow auras around subjects in photos are caused by photographic optical effects like lens flare, sensor overload, chromatic aberration, and atmospheric particulates creating dispersion. The camera settings and conditions when shooting significantly influence the appearance and prominence of rainbow bands and halos. While some believe auras have a deeper meaning, the scientific evidence points to them being tricks of the light rather than spiritual emanations. Photographers can take steps to minimize or enhance rainbow aura effects based on their creative goals for the image. With a knowledge of what contributes to rainbow auras, you can troubleshoot unwanted ones or deliberately craft intriguing prismatic glows around subjects.
