So, I've been shooting into the sun occasionally and I've found that my lens flare tends to be more of a smoosh.

What are your best techniques for obtaining clean rims and shapes on the flare? Hoods? Filters? Lenses? Angles?

Try a different lens. They'll all handle flare a little differently. Even two copies of the same lens might differ a bit with the flare. Some flare is just bad, contrast reducing, haze. Sometimes you get the "cool looking" flare.

But really, each lens is different so you just have to try it out and see what you like best. Try different apertures, different placement of the flare-producing light sources in the frame, and different ways to block part of that light. They'll all yield different results.

Good post, sometimes I am able to get great flare and other times not so lucky. My best techniques so far are to take the lens hood off and use high aperatures. Getting more consistent results and practicing is on my to do list this year though.

Good timing this thread as was about to post myself. I tried at an e-session recently on the beach to get the flare but with very little success. Will take on board the above and try again - thanks everyone!!

sounds daft but i usually get cardboard with tinfoil - dont have a reflector yet, set it below me reflecting the light onto the subject and then catching the flare, seems to work well and gives the the flare i want and balances the lighting on the face to give it clarity also.

however from testing the 24mm, 28mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 i found the 50mm to give the best images but i had to focus onto the face then lean out into the sun.