Creativity Connecting
through Photography
HACK'S
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Explore these Creative D.I.Y Hack's... ..your find tips and tricks that will get you amazing results.
"Remember, photography is a playground and there aren't any right or wrong ways to approach it. If it works, it works."
...Continue scrolling down to learn the D.I.Y Hack's that will inspire you and get you capturing the world around you....
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HACK 1:
Create Your Own Lightbox
HACK 1:
Create Your Own Lightbox
1. Set up the light box
Tape a sheet of grease-proof paper to a window either side. Place two lamps either side to cast light on your subject. You can anything, in my example I have used a camra lens and moss, you can use tape underneath to tap them to the paper to keep them in position.
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2. Set your camera to Aperture Priority mode so you can control the aperture. Set the aperture to f/8 to keep your images sharp from front to back, and set the ISO to 100 for detailed, noise-free shots.
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3. Your camera will underexpose shots- in an attempt to render bright back-light as a mid-tone, so go to the Exposure Compensation setting and dial in +1 stop of exposure compensation. Check your shots, and increase this as high as +2, if necessary.
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4. Set the focus to the centre AF point, and make sure the centre of the object is precisely in focus. If you're photographing two or more objects, set the focal point for the largest flower object in your shot.
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5. To ensure that your images are perfectly sharp, mount your camera on a tripod if you have one. Even pressing the button can cause slight camera shake, so for the best results use a tripod or alternatively rst your amera on a supportive surface.
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Now you can get shooting.
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6. Experiment by taking photos of one Lens by itself or a another object compositionally coming together. You can overlay different objects on top of each other or just stick to one type as I have. It's entirely up to you which composition you prefer! The possibilities are endless!
Alternatively you could place a piece of paper in the window as seen and using the natural light
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Cardboard Box
Tracing, Grease Proof or Tissue Paper
A Knife or Scissors
Sellotape
Two Lamps
Plain Piece of White Paper
Objects of your Choice
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1. Try flashing the CD in different angles so that some of the reflected light from CD gets into the lens. Remember to point the CD towards the Lens.
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2. You can look through the viewfinder and shoot when you see flares intensify for different angles/placements of the CD.
This could be the easiest photography hack on this list. You’ll need a CD (of your favorite singer, of course) and a DSLR camera.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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CD
Natural Light from a Window
Model
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HACK 2:
Create DIY Lens Flares
HACK 3:
Make Your Photos Hazy With a Sandwich Bag
1. This simple and easy photography Hack creates an amazing hazy effect to your photo just by using a sandwich bag. Please take away (or eat) your snack, your camera needs the bag more than ever. Attach the sandwich bag to your lens as shown to the side and make sure parts of it are obstructing the lens view. Fire away to get your hazy photos!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Plastic Sandwich Bag
Model and Objects of your Choice.
A Room with Natural Light
HACK 4:
DIY Soft-Focus Lens Effects
GAUZE:
2. If you are using gauze, cut the fabric with scissors in the center and attach it to your camera lens with the elastic band (refer to 3rd photo below). Once you attach your gauze, put loose ends of the fabric over the lens.
1. Prepare a large square of clear plastic, elastic band, and some vaseline. Put some vaseline on your clear plastic paper and shoot. This will give you a soft-focus lens effect.
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3. As in the gauze tutorial above, cut an ‘X’ in the center of the plastic using the scissors. Carefully fasten the plastic around the lens with the elastic band, allowing the edges to hang over.
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DO NOT apply Vaseline directly to your camera lens.
cut an ‘X’ in the center of the plastic using the scissors as seen
4. There are so many more materials you can use in place of what I’ve suggested here. Try using bubble wrap, lace, or crochet and see what happens
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Plastic Sandwich Bag
Vaseline
Elastic Band
Gauze
Scissors
Model and Objects of your Choice.
Natural Light
HACK 5:
Make Your Own Colored Lens Filters
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This hack is super easy and so fun to make by ourselves. You’ll need a piece of paper, scissors, a plastic sheet, and a short piece of string. We will list the steps below:
Take your lens cap and place it on a piece of paper
Use your marker and go round your lens cap. Then mark a small box-shaped extension to this circle. (Photo #1)
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Cut out the shape
Take this shape and put it on a clear plastic sheet, trace it with the marker and cut it out
Once you get your plastic cutouts, draw your own designs using various colors on it
If you want to attach these to your camera, pinch a hole in the box-shaped square and use a string to connect them to the camera.
And that’s it!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Plain White Paper
Clear Plastic Wallet Pocket
Coloured Pens
Model and Objects of your Choice.
Natural Light
HACK 6:
Create a Rainbow Lens Flare Effect
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This is another easy photography hack. You’ll need a CD (of your second favorite singer, of course) and a DSLR camera or camera on a phone
Stand by window so the light is captured on the CD. Try flashing the CD in different angles so that some of the reflected light from CD gets into the Model or object you have chosen to photograph.
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You can look through the viewfinder or observe and shoot when you see a rainbow flares intensify on your subject/model .Explore the different angles and the patterns it projects.
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MATERIALS NEEDED:
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CD
Model and Objects of your Choice.
Natural Light
HACK 7:
Create and Mimic Film Burn With A Matchstick
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This is a really easy photography Hack. You’ll need a candle and a DSLR camera or camera on a smart phone
To mimic a film burn light the candle and place the flame slightly to one side of the lens of the camera between the subject and you.
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Explore the different angles the Burn creates by moving the flame around the lens
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Candle
Model and Objects of your Choice.
Natural Light
HACK 8:
Create and Mimic Film Burn With A Matchstick
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This is a really easy photography Hack. You’ll need a candle and a DSLR camera or camera on a phone
To mimic a film burn light the candle and place the flame slightly to one side of the lens of the camera between the subject and you.
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Explore the different angles the Burn creates by moving the flame around the lens
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Candle
Model and Objects of your Choice.
Natural Light
HACK 9:
Turn Your Smartphone Into A Pinhole Using Cardboard
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For this photography Hack, You’ll need a Piece of small card and a Pin, and and your smart phone
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Pierce your small piece of card with a pin and place this piece of card in front of your Phone lens and shoot away!!
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MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Small Piece of Card
A Pin
Smart Phone
HACK 10:
Create a Coloured filter
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For this photography Hack, You’ll need sellotape, coloured pens and a Camera.
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Carefully place two pieces of sellotape over the Lens of your Camera. Then colour the sellotape with your preferred colour/ pattern. Remember to leave a gap for the camera to focus at the subject.
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Play around with the amount, positioning and thickness of cellophane around the lens to get different looks.
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Depending on the effect you desire, you can cover half the lens, a small portion or the entire thing if you want a coloured gel look. You can even experiment with different coloured strips of cellophane taped together to cover the lens for some fun effects.
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MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Sellotape
Coloured Pens
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HACK 11:
DIY Photo Filters with Everyday Objects
Use everyday items as creative photo filters
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Cellophane
The humble transparent sheet is great for crafting, but it's even better as a photographic tool. There are a number of different ways you can use cellophane with your camera -- to simulate light leaks or to add a coloured filter to photos.
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Stockings
A spare pair of stockings can make for a DIY soft-focus filter. Simply slip the stocking over your lens and pull taut, then secure around the barrel with a rubber band. You'll want to make sure that you still have access to the zoom and focus rings for any fine-tuning.
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Wine glass
Take an everyday wine glass and fill it with water. Thanks to refraction, anything you look at through the glass will be inverted and flipped upside down.
Shooting through a wine glass makes an ideal photography project. Simply grab your glass and put it in front of a subject. Choose where you want your point of focus to be within the glass and switch your camera into aperture priority mode. Open up the aperture (by using a small f-number) to blur the background and create a shallow depth of field effect.
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Sunglasses
Don't have a polarizing filter at hand? A pair of sunglasses can achieve a similar effect by cutting down on the glare entering the camera and altering the properties of the light.
Depending on the size of your lens, the sunglasses can either completely cover the scene or provide a secondary inset view like in the image below.
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Glowsticks
With a spare stash of glowsticks, add a colourful rainbow effect to portraits and general photos. Simply activate the glowstick (smaller works better) and attach across the lens in whatever configuration works best.
Make sure to attach the sticks using a non-marking, easily removable tape such as duct tape so you don't damage your lens. Ensure all zoom and focus rings are free to move, then take photos at your leisure.
HACK 12:
Cut Out Your Own Make Custom Bokeh Shapes
For our next photography Hack, you’ll need a DSLR camera, a lens with a large aperture (small F-stop number) and a bit of knowledge about Bokeh photography.
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Make a round tube that fits nicely to your lens, and connect it to the lens. On the other end of the tube, attach your cut paper as shown in the 2nd photo below. Then use a low aperture setting (for Bokeh) and shoot in manual focus mode towards your light source through the cutout holes/shapes. You’ll need to adjust the focus ring to get the desired Bokeh effect/shapes.
Click on the image to learn more about Bokeh
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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A piece of black paper
Pencil
A pair of scissors
Duct tape
Craft knife to make different shapes.
Also, put on some light
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The old tea strainer is our next perfect photography Hack. This is perfect if you want to use natural light through a window or small opening. Make sure the light is strong enough and the subject is close to the strainer. If you arrange it so, you can get strong shadows which cast beautiful patterns that highlight depth.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Colander or tea Strainer
Natural Light from a window and a camera/phone
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HACK 13:
Shadow Effects With a Tea / Colander Strainer
Here are the steps to create this photography Hack:
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Place four glasses on the floor next to a window with ample natural light.
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Setup your camera facing the floor using your tripod as shown
Place the glass on top of the 4 glasses
Place the plastic wrap on top of the glass
Spray water on top of the plastic wrap with a spray bottle (We use a plastic wrap because it holds water bubbles better)
Slide your patterned paper underneath the glass.
Here’s a photo of the setup and beautiful multi droplet photos taken with it
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One you have your droplets looking the way you want them, you can lay out your first background pattern piece underneath the glass. (Wait until after you are done spraying to do this part, otherwise your paper will end up soaked.
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You can also use a single image, rather than a repeating design or pattern. You can even Make the Shot: by spraying Water onto a CD.
Use the water spray bottle to cover the plastic-wrapped glass in beads of water. Spray using a fine mist setting. The longer you spray, the more the water will conglomerate and the bigger and bigger your droplets will be. The goal is to have an even collection of similar-sized droplets. (Alternatively, you could mix your water with a little glycerin to increase the surface tension. And/or you could use an eye dropper to carefully place evenly-spaced and sized drops.)
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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A piece of glass
A few water drops - Naturally occurring water drops, CDs and water drops or Water droplets on glass
Plastic wrap Something to hold up the glass ( the author used four glasses)
Interesting patterned paper or vivid fabrics (You can even use an image on your tablet.)
Last but not least, a good tripod if you have one
HACK 14:
How to Shoot a Multi Droplet Shot
For this Hack, Using everyday objects as props, the photographer conjures up some breathtaking scenes. A little bit of creative thinking goes a long way!
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Photography is all about perspective – the person behind the camera can use their creative ideas to tell different stories about a subject from a variety of angles. Perspective gives depth to an image and can make a two-dimensional photograph feel like a three-dimensional scene.
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Using a simple Plastic Bottle cut both ends off and place over the lens of the camera or alternatively use a small water bottle with your phone, Other props you could use such as Shoe Lace's, Slinky, Cheese Grater, Chains or a Rolled up page from a Book,
What could you use?
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See Jordi Koalitic work and get inspired.
Ensure that you focus at the subject and click away, be experimental with the time of day and weather conditions.
HACK 16:
Everyday Objects as Props
HACK 17:
Use Windows For A Softening Effect
From the Outside In
Taking a picture through the glass of a window can be tricky, but it also offers a unique perspective that can really make the shot.
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Photographing people through windows creates a certain kind of mood. The presence of the glass can create the feeling of peeking in on a tender moment. Even a rainy day can add to the look and artistry of the photo. The overcast conditions on a rainy day will eliminate some of the glare issues, and the rain on the glass actually has a nice effect.
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A simple technique is to simply shoot at a larger, lower aperture. Switch your camera to aperture priority mode and choose a large aperture, which is indicated by a low f-stop number. By opening up your aperture you are creating a shallower depth of field. This will allow you to blur out some of the problematic glare areas, so they do not detract from your photos.
Reflective surfaces can cause photography mayhem, but they can also create photography magic. Whether you are hoping to capture the essence of a wistful teenager or a curious toddler, try photographing them as they look out through a window. Position yourself so that you can also photograph their reflection in the window.
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Be sure the window is clean and free of smudges and streaks. Dirty windows do not a pretty picture make. Soft light coming through a clean window will beautifully light up your subject's face.
HACK 18:
Use A Piece Of Cloth And A Cardboard To Create A Portable And Inexpensive Seamless Background System
For this set-up, Hack you will need two pieces of white board, two A clamps or two large bulldog clips optional - two right angle metal brackets, a piece of flexible white cardboard, and tape.
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Use the clamps to attach the flexible board to the vertical piece of the metal bracket. Place the second piece of foam board over the horizontal bracket. The result will be two pieces of foam board that meet at a 90 degree angle. If your boards begin to tip backward, adjust the positioning of your clamps so that the two pieces of foam board will stand freely.
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To get rid of the seam created where the two boards meet, tape the top of the poster board to the vertical board. Attach the poster board high enough so that you can create the sweeping curve shape seen above. Place your subject on the bottom of this curve.
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By shooting on a seamless background, you won't have to spend time in Photoshop retouching out the seam. If you are shooting one or two, retouching the seam isn't too bad. When shooting a dozen or more products on white, shooting on a seamless background will save you a lot of time.
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If you wants something a little more creative than just white, this set up works with fabric, shot from above, or combine various elements as well!
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Seamless Backdrop
No Sweep With a Sweep
Seamless Backdrop with Fabric
Seamless Backdrop with a different colour.
Seamless Backdrop Two Tone Paper, Aerial View, Combine Illustration, Add Different Elements
HACK 19:
Art of Refraction
Photography is about capturing and manipulating light. Not everyone knows that the direct opposite of light, the shadow, is equally as important when it comes to taking beautiful photographs.
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Shade has the power to form the light, attract the viewer’s attention, and intertwine with it, creating unique shooting conditions each time.
All you need to do is place a flour sifter between the light source and the subject. The distance between the light and subject will change the effect the shadows have.
Have fun experimenting with this cool photography hack.
One of the most helpful photography tricks that help make a photo that is catchy and creative, is to use light and shadow interplay.
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To use it yourself in your photography, all you need is some cardboard, scissors or a craft knife and some creativity. Cut out any number of shapes and lines, and use the shadows over your model.
Alternatively use a colander and cast the patterns it projects from the light on to the models face.
For portrait shadow photography you can also use patterns of various interesting objects that will complement and give an interesting touch to each picture.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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A Window with Good Natural Light
Card Cut with Various Shapes and Patterns
Colander
Sift
Lace
A Model
Camera
HACK 20:
Light and Shadow Interplay
For this Hack you will need a seamless back drop as seen in Hack 18, Glass full of water and any object of your choice.
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Refracted light photography comes in several different forms. The effect is caused when light passes through an object of denser mass. ... Water droplets – Water droplets will also refract light. They're spherical so this will work in a similar way to a glass ball. A smaller alternative to a glass ball is the marble. Photographing a marble is in many ways the same as photographing its larger counterpart. The key difference is that it’s much smaller
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Any transparent object that has a different mass to air will cause refraction, for the best image quality you’ll want to be shooting through glass.
The light is refracted as it passes through the water, and the objects behind the water vessels look deformed. This phenomenon may be used in creative images photography.
All you need is a few glasses, a flashlight, a tripod and a picture with a black and white pattern that you place in the background. Fill the glasses with different amounts of water and move the picture forward/backward to adjust the effect.
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Make that wine glass multi-task!
The wine glass is, of course, better than the glass ball for placing on a flat surface, as it’s not going to roll off. You can use a wine glass in portrait photos as well. In that scenario, the wine glass acts as a great prop, which also shows the refracted image in the background.
Seamless Backdrop with objects placed behind the water filled glasses
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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A Window - Natural Light
Pattern Sheet of Paper
A Model
Glass or Glass Bowl
Objects of your choice
Camera
HACK 21:
Shoot Through the Prisms
This effect was achieved simply by placing a glass prism in front of a camera lens.
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So what makes prisms so special? Well, prisms are uniquely able to bend light, glares, and reflections before they enter a camera's lens. Prisming requires no Photoshop or post editing, and often creates results that are more natural and impressive, prisms give you an incredible amount of precision and creative control.
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If you don't have a prism, you can use a kitchen glass, or a gemstone, or even an ice cube! Almost any clear glass thing can be used as a prism as long as it isn't completely flat. If the sun isn't shining, you can use a flashlight.
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Working with prism photography requires learning by trial and error. These include the size and shape of the prism, the angle of the light, the angle you hold the prism, etc.
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It can get difficult trying to hold the prism and take your shot at the same time. To help you out, try using a tripod. Use Live View on your camera. This way you can easily make adjustments in the position of the prism in order to create the effect you want, without struggling with all the equipment in your hands.
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Remember - Even if you are not covering the whole lens with the prism, your camera might struggle to find a focus point. This is why you should switch to manual focus for prism photography.
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How to Create a Rainbow Prism Effect
To create rainbow prism photography you need to place one of the prism’s edges towards the camera. Move and rotate the prism to explore the distortions until the rainbows appear.
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How to Create Mirror Images Using Reflections - One neat effect you can add with a prism is reflections. Position the prism in front of your camera lens and move it until the reflections come to view.
You might need to try different reflections. Try placing the prism on different areas of the lens or change its orientation and angle. You can even create doubles of your models
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Place your Prism in front of the Lens of the Camera / phone and Shoot away!
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"Remember to switch to manual focus"
Find an old Prism
from a discarded
chandelier
Experiment with different aperture values until you get the effects you like. And remember, there is no rule or correct setting in prism photography!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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A Window - Natural Light
Prism
(or Glass of water)
Switch to Manual Mode to Find a Focus Point
Objects or a Model
Camera
HACK 22:
Capture Highspeed Drops With a Few Simple Items
What you’ll need are a glass, a bowl, straw, milk, a Speedlight and food dye. The color of food dye will depend on what you want to use. If you want a clean background, use black cardboard, but there are ways around this.
Place the glass on top of the upside down bowl. Fill it full of milk, until the surface tension reaches the lip of the glass. Set your Speedlight to trigger from your on-camera flash.
Drip the food coloring with one hand, as you shoot with the other. It will require a lot of time and patience, but you will be rewarded.
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Set your camera to manual mode and focus on the point where your drops will be hitting the water - dip a finger into the water to give you something to focus on.
Choose a fast shutter speed (around 1/200th of a second) and an aperture of f4-f5 for enough depth of field.
Explore with milk or water and different food colouring colours
Place your Prism in front of the Lens of the Camera / phone and Shoot away!
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"Remember to switch to manual focus"
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Milk
Food Colouring
Glass Bowl
Seamless Backdrop
2 Lamps or Light from a Window
Switch to Manual Mode to Find a Focus Point
Camera