Pictures are a way for us to see the world from someone else’s point of view. To create such unique pictures a lot of work is put into them.
All of us sometimes come across such pictures that seem impossible to create. These pictures make us wonder how the photographer managed to do so.
The first and the most obvious answer that comes to mind is Photoshop which might be true in some cases but not all.
In most cases, there are some DIY hacks and tricks that can create such pictures, making you wonder how they were clicked.
If you too want to click such pictures that make your audiences wonder how the picture was created you might need some tricks up your sleeve.
There are a lot of tools or equipment that can help but there are a lot of camera tricks that can be done with cheap, easy-to-find objects and materials around your home and help you get mind-blowing photographs.
Many professional photographers use photography hacks that can help them increase the quality of their pictures as well as give them a more creative look.
There are countless out-of-the-box DIY tricks that only involve the stuff already present in your house and can help you create unforgettable images.
Let’s talk about some of these DIY photography hacks to learn how to level up your photography skills without a course or something.
DIY Photography Hacks
The DIY prism hack
A prism can prove to be quite useful in photography. It can help you in creating illusions in your pictures.
You can create different illusions from different angles. These illusions can make your pictures stand out from other pictures.
If you don’t have a prism no worries you can simply use your phone screen. It can give the same effect as that of the prism.
The only thing you have to do is place your phone screen under the lens. After positioning your phone under the lens you can find cool new angles and play with the light.
You will see a similar or maybe even better light effect on your phone screen as the prism.
It can certainly help you in creating interesting light effects by the reflection of your phone screen.
Another alternative for the prism can be a CD but it can take a while to get it right using a CD.
Using a phone screen is the easiest and most free alternative for a prism.
The petroleum jelly hack
You all might have noticed that dreamy and vintage-like pictures are starting to gain a lot more traction nowadays.
These photographs can be achieved by Photoshop or by using some equipment as well but there is a much easier hack to get the perfect vintage photo for your Instagram feed.
The only things you are going to need are plastic wrap, vaseline, and a rubber band and you are all set.
Place the plastic wrap on the lens with the help of a rubber band properly. Once the lens is secure with the plastic wrap acting as a safe barrier the next step is to use vaseline.
Put the vaseline around the edges of the lens, over the wrap, creating a hazy and dreamlike effect.
This hack can help you create the vintage look you want for your picture. It can even create a different type of vignette.
This vignette is one that even caught and created sparkles in direct light.
The one thing that you need to avoid is putting Vaseline on your lens. This can not only be a piece of work to get off but it can even prove to be harmful for your lens.
So before using Vaseline just make sure to use a plastic or saran wrap to protect the lens from any damage.
Use the coffee table as a frame
This is another one of the hacks that have been going viral nowadays on social media a lot.
Photographers are using their glass coffee tables as a frame for many of their portraits.
You can create pretty much anything with a coffee table as your frame. Different pictures with a variety of aesthetics can be created using the coffee table as a prop.
The only thing that you need to make sure is that the coffee table is made of glass. You can lay down under the table and the props that give the picture aesthetic can be set above the table.
There is less mess for you to clean up as well as you can get different aesthetics in a short time.
If you want a summer aesthetic you can lay down some chopped fruits on the coffee table and click the portrait from above the table.
If you don’t have such a coffee table you can use a thick glass slab as well to give the same effect.
The window trick
This hack can help you soften your pictures with the help of Windows. You can even play with reflections and shadows in the windows.
The concept behind that hack is if you put a glass between the subject and lens it can help you create a softer image.
For this hack, you can use a car window or a slab of glass as well.
You can create custom shadows and reflections on the window or the glass to make the pictures more unique than the others.
These reflections and shadows can even help you in providing texture to your pictures. You can use reflections of various objects such as cars, roads, etc to make your pictures even more interesting.
Play with the shadows
Shadows can make your pictures stand out. While working with shadows you have to keep in mind that it is important to maintain a balance between light and shadows.
You can use shadows in your favor in your pictures by using them properly.
Shadows can be used to create silhouettes and various interesting patterns in your pictures.
You can play with shadows of different shapes and sizes to add compositional elements and add visual interest to our photos.
In order to create shadows of different shapes and sizes you can either use paper and cut them out in different shapes to get the shadow effect in your pictures.
Another interesting way to create shadows for your pictures is you can use any kind of sifter you find at home. Place it between your light source and the model’s face and move it until you like the results.
Paper cutting and sifter are the DIY methods for creating shadows of various shapes, another thing you can use is Gobo.
Gobo refers to going between optics. A “Gobo” is a small stenciled circular disc, and used in lighting fixtures to create a projected image or pattern
Playing with shadows can give your pictures an edge.
Use your sunglasses as a filter
Rather than spending a lot of money on buying filters, you can use sunglasses as a filter.
Sunglasses can perfectly work as filters. You just have to place sunglasses in front of the lens and see the result.
This trick can be used with both smartphones as well as professional cameras.
The most common mistake while clicking pictures using sunglasses as a filter is the focus is not correct.
You have to focus through the glasses if you don’t do so you will have the glasses sharp and the rest blurred.
Using this hack can get you different filters for clicking your pictures.
Try different perspectives
Pictures and videos with optical illusions have also gained traction on the internet. These pictures are always amusing no matter what.
This hack to play with different perspectives is just to play with perception and angles, nothing else.
It is much easier than everyone thinks, the first step is to plan a scene beforehand. After creating the scene you just have to use small apertures, try a zoom lens, and just experiment with your pictures.
You can use the environment around you to create various scenes. Props can also be used in creating perception.
To create different perceptions you have to learn how to use angles as well as allow yourself to experiment.
FAQ(s) about various photography hacks
Some frequently asked questions that arise related to various DIY photography hacks have been answered below.
What are the most important things in photography?
The most important three things in photography are light, subject, and composition.
These are considered the basics of photography. In order to advance in the field of photography you need to learn about these three factors in a picture.
How can photography hacks help?
The photography hacks that are mentioned above and many others can help you to increase the quality of your pictures.
These hacks can also allow you to be able to experiment with your pictures and attain various effects without using high-end and expensive gear and just some household and easily available things.
There are a lot of other hacks than those mentioned in the above article that you can find on the internet that will prove to be beneficial for you.
Photography hacks can help you elevate the quality of your work as well by adding different textures.
What is trick photography?
Trick photography is a type of photography where the photographer creates a type of illusion for you to see.
Some of the tips mentioned above like the different perspective ones can be categorized as trick photography.
There are different types of trick photography as well some of which include light illusions, zoom effects and many others.
Can hacks and tricks help a beginner in learning photography?
As a beginning photographer, there are a lot of things that you still need to learn but these hacks can be quite helpful in making you understand some basics of photography.
These hacks can help you in learning the use of light, the concept of positive and negative space, and many other useful things in the field of photography.
Hence it is safe to say these tricks and hacks can help a beginner photographer in many ways.
What are some tips for better smartphone photographs?
Some of the tips and tricks for better smartphone photographs can be listed as:
- A clean lens
- Composition
- Proper focus
- Pay attention to the position of the sun
- Keep the phone steady
- Pay attention to the flash
What type of photography can hacks be used?
Hacks are used in every type of photography from portrait photography to wedding photography.
These hacks can make the work of a photographer stand out from others as they help in creating something unique and new.
They are applicable in all types of photography as well as videography.
Every type of photography sure has some kind of hacks that are most used as well.
Conclusion
There are a lot of words whether it be hacks, tips, or tricks for ways to help the photographer to create unique content.
Whatever you might want to call them irrespective of the name they make a photographer’s job just a little bit easier.
These hacks can even allow photographers to save a lot of money as well that they spend on the special equipment required.
They can help photographers create effects that can be attained with the help of just a few items available in almost every house, if not the material required is quite inexpensive compared to equipment.
Some of these hacks are mentioned in the above article there are other hacks available on the internet as well.
Even the world’s top photographers use hacks to help them get various effects in their pictures.
Every picture depicts a different story and sometimes these hacks, tips, and tricks can help you see any scene in a completely different way than it is visible to the naked eye.
These can help you gain a unique perspective and make you more eager to experiment with your work.
The above mentioned are just 7 photography hacks there are a lot more of them which can help you.
Hope this article helps you to explore more in your career as a photographer.
About Guest Author: Manthan Gajjar
Manthan is a professional photographer and founder of photographywith.com. The site hosts all of his writing on photography stuff like blogs, reviews, editing, and much more. Whatever he learns new, he’ll be swift to share it on his blog, sprinkled with awesome and straightforward examples.
