Camera system with light shield

A method of operating a camera system, the method comprising:

• detecting an image in a field-of-view of a camera installed on a vehicle with an imager;
• detecting, with the imager, a bright-spot in the image;
• the bright-spot being a reflection from a light source off of a surface in the field-of-view;
• determining, with a controller in communication with the imager, a scene within the image;
• the scene being separate from the bright-spot;
• determining, with the controller, a position of the bright-spot on the imager;
• the position of the bright-spot determined by light intensity signals received from the imager;
• tracking, with the controller, the position of the bright-spot across the field-of-view based on the light intensity signals;
• and
• positioning, with the controller, an absorber in a line-of-sight between the bright-spot and the imager such that the absorber reduces an intensity of light-rays from the bright-spot while allowing all of the light-rays from the scene to reach the imager.