There is something captivating about light. It's the reason we perceive the world around us. Too much of it and everything becomes a dazzling white, no matter how vibrant you would expect it to be. When light passes through a prism, it separates into a spectrum of color. When it hits the right angle, it reflects back, possibly returning to that point at a later time. In our minds we imagined this magical force as tiny particles, but with enough observation its mesmerizing wave-like behavior became apparent. Light, with all of its properties, intrigues us all, whether you're a physicist delving into electromagnetic radiation or a photographer chasing the perfect shot.

Capturing light aesthetically is a challenge, perhaps the most critical aspect of the visual medium. Even with an ideal camera and lens, meticulously adjusted, we are bound by what is in front of us. Light won't interact with our cameras exactly as we envision. So if we can't capture it, let's simulate it! Picture a virtual camera with controls dictating precisely how light leaves its mark on the image; sliders defining the light bursts shape, the appearance of lens flares, the dispersion of light into waves, and the particles on the lens.

Enter FlareMachine - a tool turning this idea into reality. Provide your input image and FlareMachine performs calculations, delivering your original image captured by a virtual camera with your specified settings. There is also the option to render onto a black background and everything you need can be procedurally generated. The beauty of it all? It's fun! Instruct the light to behave exactly as you wish. Want headlights to mimic physical accuracy? You can do that. Feel like bending the laws of physics for a unique effect? Go for it. The magic of light is now in your hands. Try FlareMachine now!