How scotch tape and a kitchen timer can help you take cool pictures: 12 photo life hacks for the budget conscious

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Upgrade your camera using the materials at hand without spending too much.

Modern photo processing software allows you to create whatever you want with your pictures. But sometimes you can achieve the desired effect faster with the help of improvised means. In addition, creating something with your own hands is much more interesting than applying a ready-made filter.

1. Colored bokeh

You will need a piece of film (such as a regular paper file) and colored markers. Cut a piece of film with a diameter slightly larger than the lens. Paint the resulting circle with markers: half in one color, the other half in another. And then make a cut in the middle. Attach the film to the lens with an elastic band. Enjoy the result!

2. Time-lapse with a kitchen timer

A time lapse is a video created from a series of photographs taken with a still or slow moving camera. There are special devices for the second method of filming, but it is much cheaper to buy a kitchen rotating timer. Set your GoPro or phone to such a timer in the location of your choice, start. The material is ready! You can speed it up in the editor.

3. Blurred bokeh

It's very simple: you need to lubricate the removable lens filter with Vaseline in a circle. Hygienic lipstick is also good. Keep the center of the filter clean. Just do not lubricate the lens itself, you may not need to wash it. This simple trick will give you a very original bokeh effect.

4. Diffuser for flash from the container

Homemade softboxes are made from yogurt jars, shampoo bottles, and more. Here's how to make an external flash diffuser from a food container.

You will need a tall container slightly wider than the flash. In its bottom, you need to make a square hole with a clerical knife, so that the container is put on the flash. Then line the inside of the container with clear paper (tracing paper will do). You can glue it on or just wrap the outer edges. Also, on one of the wide sides of the container, it is necessary to fix a layer of foil with a second layer. Place the transparent lid on the container. Ready!

The design can be mounted on a flash. The diffuser gives a softer light, eliminates glare and harsh shadows.

5. Filter made of welding glass

Welding glass in this case will play the role of a neutral density filter, or ND filter. You can find such glass in shops with goods for welding, in some household shops, as well as on AliExpress. Secure the glass to the lens with an elastic band or long rubber bands. The easiest way is to hook them onto the edges of the hood, which is placed back to front of the lens.

This filter will reduce the amount of light entering the lens. As a result, it will be possible to shoot in bright sun, take daytime portraits with flash, and also get beautiful blur of moving objects.

6. Rope tripod

If you suddenly need to stabilize the image and you don't have a tripod at hand, use a long cord or rope. In addition, the camera can now be raised to eye level.

Tie a rope to the tripod mount (ideal if it has a threaded screw) or pass it through the neck strap rings. Stand on the rope with your feet so that it forms an isosceles triangle. Additionally, you can make foot loops. Now all the frames will be sharp!

7. Curly bokeh

You need a circle made of thick dark paper or cardboard, which you will put on the lens. In its center, you need to cut a curly hole, such as a heart, triangle or star. Secure the cardboard with paper tape over the objective lens. Now any light spots that are out of focus will take the shape of the figure you cut out. The effect is simply magical!

eight. Tripod leg pads

If the floor is smooth and the tripod has to be moved many times, then this tip will come in handy. Simply place furniture pads under the tripod legs. Now it will slide quickly and smoothly, like on ice!

9. Long lens flare

Color a piece of narrow tape with a colored marker and glue it to the lens. A whiteboard felt-tip pen will do the job better. Now point your lens at any bright light source and take a photo. Use the flash when shooting indoors.

You should have a so-called cinematic lens effect. You don't need to paint over the adhesive tape, but then we recommend using several pieces of it and glue them not very tightly. However, the effect will be completely different: similar to blurry filters from Instagram.

10. Paper cup tripod

A tripod for your phone can be made in a matter of minutes. Cut a suitable rectangular hole at the bottom of the paper cup. Insert your smartphone sideways into it. Now you can take the world's best selfies!

11. Lightbox out of the box

Create your own small photography studio for product photography! It is an indispensable design for those who sell goods from home, such as jewelry, handmade cosmetics and so on.

First of all, tear off the box doors. Cut out large square holes on the other three sides. Now you will need to hang these sides with a white cloth. Use an old T-shirt or sheet. Stretch it properly without leaving wrinkles.

Inside the softbox, you need to spread a large sheet of paper without folds - this will be the floor and the back wall. Now it remains only to turn on incandescent lamps (preferably with a power of 100 W) or their energy-saving counterparts with a color temperature of about 4000 K. Ideally, there should be three lamps, but one can be dispensed with. In bright daylight, you can also shoot if the softbox can be placed right next to the window.

12. Draw with light

Everyone has probably heard about freezelight, but most likely not everyone has tried this effect. You will need a flashlight or laser pointer and tripod. You need to shoot in the dark, whether at home or outdoors. Use manual settings. Set the shutter speed to 30 seconds, aperture - 5, 6, ISO - 100. Turn on the timer if you are shooting yourself. It remains only to come up with a picture or a word. However, it can be just chaotic lines.