[War Machine 2112]

On the picture below, near the tree on the middle-right of the shot there's a red point. I wondered if this was lens flare?

A further question would be, do we cut out lens flare when possible, or leave it in as an authentic artefact?

I was using a K2000 with the kit 18-55mm lens at sunset.

Sorry if these are all obvious questions, I'm still a noob (nearly 2 whole months with this camera!)

Cheers!

[Ash]

This kind of flare is generally an accepted artifact that adds to the quality of the image - use the effect creatively. Flare is very hard to control, particularly this direct type. Flare control is dependent on the lens.

If just for sunsets, you're better off starting to shoot them when the sun's gone down and the colours in the sky start to change.

[alohadave]

It does look to be flare, but probably not the kind you are used to seeing.

Did you have a filter on your lens? If you did, the placement is textbook for what that would be. It's a secondary reflection caused when a very bright lightsource is in the frame, and the rest of the scene is relatively dark (It's very common for nighttime cityscapes). It will always be symmetrical through the center of the frame (if you draw an X through the corners, you'll see that the center of the sun and the red dot are in the same spot relative to the center).

The easiest solution is to remove the filter in these conditions.

This is not about Style or Technique.

OP, welcome to the forum, please be careful where you post.