Strange Anomaly in These Pics

[FlyNavy]

I took these three shots of N196CC tonight when I was at dinner at KPDK. Some strange light is in all three and I'm not sure what to make of it. I don't recall seeing any similar lights near the airplane when I took the pictures, so who knows what this is/is not. It must be supernatural! :roll:

Near the horizontal stabilizer:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1400/1399430199_e1e97908ca.jpg?v=0
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1163/1400320798_10c7130706.jpg?v=0

The light is in a complety different position in this shot:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1075/1399428351_4f4d0ac4e1.jpg?v=0

Well?

[cancidas]

UFO!!

what lens are you using? it could be just light reflecting in a wierd way off the inside of your lens.

[FlyNavy]

Those pics were taken with a Canon EF 75-300mm.

[moose135]

I think I agree with Matt - looks like it may be some lens flare/reflection, probably from the lights on the nose gear.

[pgengler]

That definitely looks like lens flare; the lights on the plane are pretty strong and are likely causing strange reflections in the lens/sensor. You can see the same effect when you get a really bright point light source (like the sun, or airplane lights) in a photo and it's not completely head-on.

[FlyNavy]

Cool, I learn something new everyday it seems. Thanks for the input fellas.

[PhilDernerJr]

Notice how the anomaly moves closer towards the middle as the nosegear light also moves towards the middle.

You have a UV filter on your lens? You should have one, but when light is shining directly in, it can cause that kind of flare, too. During sunset shots and stuff, I remove the UV filter.

[cancidas]

i've only got a clear glass filter on my lenses, i have yet to take them off actually. the only time i have had anything flaring in my lense is when i'm shooting at night. they're great to have in the desert when you've got sand blowing all over the place to keep the glass on the lense itself nice and clean.

[mirrodie]

Its an optical phenomenon as stated.

If you think of your lens as a single lens element, with a front and back surface, those are essentially the reflections on the front and back surface.

In the eye, we call them purkinje reflections. I forget the optical term.

[lijk604]

Could just be a good ol' boy down south messing with you with his headlights. :lol:

Seriously though, I agree with everyone else, lens flare.

[FlyNavy]

I just realized I left my UV filter on when I took those shots, perhaps that had something to do with it. Either way, like I said - learned something new.