Lens distortion refers to the optical aberration that occurs when a camera lens fails to project a straight line accurately onto the image sensor. This results in images that may appear warped or bent, particularly at the edges. Common types of lens distortion include barrel distortion, where straight lines curve outward, and pincushion distortion, where they curve inward. This phenomenon is often more pronounced in wide-angle lenses, which capture a broader field of view. While lens distortion can be undesirable in photography, it can also be creatively used to achieve specific artistic effects.