what do you call this and how can i fix it?

[sicklyscott]

I want to try and "fix" the "flares" around the lights in this picture. Is that the right term for them? How can I fix this?

Thanks in advance!

[jfrancho]

A larger aperture might help, at the expense of DOF.

[sicklyscott]

Any idea if i can somehow edit it out in photoshop?

[jfrancho]

There's a whole pile of tools: clone tool, patch, pattern stamp, etc. It's really just a matter of your skill and comfort as to which will work the best. Personally, I don't think it's as much a problem, as it is a curiosity of night shooting. It's something you live with, and learn to work with.

[happusa]

I think it looks pretty nice. You might try to crop them out. Cropping would balance the buildings.

[Mr. Pickles]

I'd try cloning them out, if you want. Some people buy filters to make the lights do this, ya know.

The "Star" that bugs me the most is the one in the car (two right beside each other?). That one is easy to clone out. The ones by the porches on the left building could be cloned out too.

[happusa]

Here is a crop of your image. Probably not the result you were looking for, but it eliminated the flare.

[happusa]

Try that again. :-[

[macmaam]

I actually like the 3 on the left that mimic the shape of the car, but i blitzed 'em, anyway.