The best photography hacks you should know
Whether you are a budding photographer just starting out, or you’ve been doing it for years, there’s always something new to learn.
Keeping up to date with the latest photography trends and tricks can help you to capture the best possible images, which you can either keep for your own enjoyment or share them on a free photo sharing site to let others enjoy them too!
Check out some of these interesting photography hacks to get more out of your photography, whether you do it for a hobby or a career.
Create your own light box
Light boxes are usually used to create an even illumination on a product or subject of the photo. They can be quite expensive to buy, but you could save yourself a bit of cash by making your own really easily.
Gather a cardboard box, baking or wax paper, aluminium foil and a white sheet of paper. Cut out two opposite sides of the box, and cut two flaps into the front of the box, so they can act as doors to control the light. Attach your wax paper to the open sides of the box, and add the aluminium foil to the flaps.
Place the white sheet of paper inside the box, to be used as the background for your shot. Be sure to place the box near a light source to help create even better lighting for your photographs.
Making custom bokeh shapes
Bokeh is the effect of an out-of-focus background, with a slight blur to it. It often looks like blurred fairy lights in the background of a shot, and has become hugely popular over the years. You can create your own bokeh effect with just a few simple materials.
Collect a piece of black paper, pencil, scissors and duct tape. Make a round tube that fits to your lens, and at the other end attach your cut paper. The paper should already have your chosen shape cut into it. Use a low aperture setting and shoot in manual focus mode, towards your light source through the cut-out shape. Adjust the focus ring until you get the desired effect!
Make your photos hazy
A hazy effect can create a dreamy look to your photograph, creating a blurred edge to the image. You can do this in a matter of seconds, so long as you have a plastic sandwich bag to hand!
Place the sandwich bag around the lens, making sure some parts of it are obstructing the lens view. Then simply take your photo, and adjust the sandwich bag for next time if you’re not completely happy with the outcome.
Make your own reflector
Betsy McCue Pictures shares that a reflector can elevate your photos by adding clarity and additional light to a certain part of the image. You can make your own in a few simple steps, making sure you have the right equipment to hand when you need it.
Simply take a piece of cardboard and attach aluminium foil to one side, completely covering it. You should also lay a piece of aluminium foil on the table, which your subject or product will be placed on top of. Be sure to place the table in front of a window for ample light.
Tape some tracing paper to the window, as this can help to diffuse the light. Use your piece of aluminium-wrapped cardboard to angle the light accordingly!
