Add light leaks and overlays to a photo
Light leaks, sun flare, bokeh, dust, faded film and light rays.
Drop an image here, or .
Free, no sign-up. Runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Light Leak & Overlays: how to use it
- Drop in a photo.
- Choose the Overlay: light leaks, sun flare, bokeh, dust, faded film or light rays.
- Set the Strength and where the Light comes from. Change the Variation number for a different random pattern, then download.
Tips
- Put the light on the same side as the real light in the photo so it looks natural.
- Light leaks and dust go well with Film Grain for a vintage look.
Light Leak & Overlays: what it does and when to use it
Light Leak & Overlays adds light effects that were once accidents: light leaks from film cameras that let stray light onto the negative, sun flare from shooting towards the sun, out-of-focus bokeh circles, dust and specks, faded film, and soft rays of light. They are drawn in your browser and blended with the photo, so the picture underneath stays sharp.
Choosing where the light comes from makes the effect believable: match it to the brightest part of the photo, such as a window or the sun. Strength controls how much the overlay dominates, and the Variation number generates a different random pattern with the same settings.
Overlays suit portraits, travel photos, wedding and lifestyle pictures, and album covers. They add warmth and mood, but they also lower contrast, so a flat photo can end up looking washed out: fix exposure first with Image Adjustments. For a complete vintage look, add Grain & Vignette afterwards.
Light Leak & Overlays: frequently asked questions
Is the Light Leak & Overlays free, and do I need to sign up?
Yes, the Light Leak & Overlays is 100% free with no sign-up, no login and no account. The Light Leak & Overlays runs in your browser, so it has no daily limit and no upload, and saves at full size with no watermark. See why it is free.
What overlays are included?
Warm and pink light leaks, a sun flare, light rays, bokeh lights, a dreamy glow, dust and scratches, faded film and a canvas texture. Each is drawn fresh for your photo at its own size, so there is no stretched overlay file and no visible repeat. Related tool: Aesthetic Filters.
Can I change where the light comes from?
Yes. Pick a corner or an edge under Light comes from, and the leak, flare or rays start there. Variation reshuffles the shape of the light while keeping the same style, and Strength controls how much of it you see. Related tool: Grain & Vignette.
Why do the light effects never darken the photo?
The light overlays are blended in screen mode, which can only brighten, the way real light spilling onto film does. Dust, faded film and texture change the picture directly instead, which is why they can also darken it. More help: ImgVX AI help docs.
How do I add a light leak effect to a photo?
Choose a warm or pink light leak, pick the side the light comes from, and set the strength. It looks best on photos with some shadow for the light to spill into. Related tool: Aesthetic Filters.