systems , methods , and computer program products for generating a vector - based representation of a lens flare are provided . in some implementations , a method is provided . the method includes presenting a plurality of visually rendered wire frame shapes , each one of the plurality of visually rendered wire frame shapes having a geometric correspondence with a lens flare component , each lens flare component being one of : a center point , a flare ring , a flare ray , or a halo , receiving a first input to manipulate a first visually rendered wire frame shape in the plurality of visually rendered wire frame shapes to interactively change the position or form of a first corresponding lens flare component , and presenting a visual rendering of the first corresponding lens flare component where the visual rendering reflects the change in the position or the form of the first corresponding lens flare component .