If you are a car enthusiast and you have spent any time on social media over the last decade, you have almost certainly seen the incredibly satisfying rainbow effect shimmering across car headlights in professional automotive shots.
We may not be Alex Penfold, but we do know how this effect works and how you can achieve it yourself with the right approach.
Start with the right equipment
The rainbow headlight effect does not appear by chance. It is created through light polarization, which means it will not show up automatically on just any camera. To make it visible, you need a polarizing filter or a lens from the HyperLens range. This is what allows the effect to be revealed and controlled directly in camera.
Choose the right car and angle
Not every car will produce this effect, which can be frustrating. Certain vehicles are much more consistent thanks to their headlight construction, glass thickness, and the way light reflects across the surface.
Cars that tend to deliver the rainbow effect most reliably include
• Porsche
• Lamborghini
• Ferrari
• Aston Martin
• McLaren
Results always depend on multiple factors such as lighting conditions, shooting angle, glass structure, and the intensity of reflections.
Find the optimal shooting position
Stand roughly in line with the front badge, about one meter away from the car. From this position, rotate slightly to the left or right so you are facing the headlight at an angle rather than straight on.
Attach your HyperLens and slowly adjust it while watching the headlight through your camera. As you rotate the lens, the colors will begin to appear and intensify. Stop when you reach the strongest and cleanest rainbow effect.
Experiment and refine
Once you understand the technique, you can apply it to different cars and lighting scenarios to discover which combinations work best for you. With a bit of practice, you will be able to capture striking and highly engaging automotive visuals.
With the right setup, the correct positioning, and a HyperLens, you are fully equipped to create professional level automotive content using either a smartphone or a camera.
