In photography, a camera lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare. The geometry of the camera lens hood can vary from a plain conical section (much like a lamp shade) to a more complex cut sometimes called a flower, petal or tulip hood (as shown in the picture), which prevents the hood from blocking the field of view a normal lens hood may block the field of view on some zoom settings. Lens hoods are more prominent in long focus lenses because the field of view has a smaller viewing angle than of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood (away from the end of the lens) cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses because of the viewing angle. Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space. Some lens hoods are flexible and collapse for storage. This canon lens hood is designed to prevent glare by stopping light from coming into the lens at side angles, and the main function of the lens hood is to shade the lens from stray light, improving your contrast and image quality. Added benefit of extra protection from accidental impact. Try one of those lens hoods and you will love them!