  A short formula is suggested which approximates photon trajectories in the
Schwarzschild field better than other simple prescriptions from the literature.
We compare it with various "low-order competitors", namely with those following
from exact formulas for small $M$, with one of the results based on
pseudo-Newtonian potentials, with a suitably adjusted hyperbola, and with the
effective and often employed approximation by Beloborodov. Our main concern is
the shape of the photon trajectories at finite radii, yet asymptotic behaviour
is also discussed, important for lensing. An example is attached indicating
that the newly suggested approximation is usable--and very accurate--for
practically solving the ray-deflection exercise.
