Photography Hacks

[Amy]

Sooo I am a massive fan of hacks...and by that, I mean, I'd rather set it up than try and Photoshop (badly)

Inspired by @alisonp using store-bought mushrooms and Tupperware



and @grizzlysghost using string for coffee steam




I wondered if anyone else had any hacks they'd like to share?



One of my favourites was using cotton wool as clouds....dead easy to do.

[Paul "Snapchap" Everest]

I make a lot of use of reflectors to reduce shadows (everything from proper reflectors to bits of paper, card, tin foil, pages of a book... whatever comes to hand first, you name it.) Does that count?

[Alison]

I would but you've already used mine :)
I am generally not very good at sets up .. so was dead pleased my mushroom shot worked

Love your cotton wool cloud

[Leonie M]

If I can't get my dudes into the position I want, I lie them flat on my surface, photograph from overhead, the flip then whole photo around.

[Frank Hymus]

Not exactly a hack, but using one layer of hosiery stretched over the lens and fixed with an elastic band can provide a nice "soft light" filter effect. Different hose can give you interesting different tone.

[Amy]

Ahh that's a cool idea Frank! @frankhymus - I guess different colours and thickness would give different effects right?

[Carol]

Setting up still life is a time honored tradition. Love it.

[stacy]

More like a tip than a hack...but for you moon lovers, you should shoot a bright full moon as though you were shooting a photo in full sunlight.

Exposure: 0.0025 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO Speed: 100

[Nia]

The stocking effect - very handy on bright Texas summer days.


Taking along a syringe of glycerin

[Paula]

I love shooting still life resting on top of the dull side of aluminum foil. It gives subtle reflection, gives great back drop tones, and looks a bit unique

[Jenteal]

@phillyphotos Nice idea thanks for that :)

[Jenteal]

I don't know if this counts as a hack or not but I made a snot for my flash to get the selective lighting on my face. I just wrapped a piece of navy card stock around my flash and held it in place with a rubber band. (If you don't want the color cast then use black)

[Daniel]

Cotton wool clouds, humidifier steam, black towel mountains, milk frother waves:



and the set up:

[Jan Hall]

@phillyphotos I love that idea Paula

My tip is - I use the inside of a biscuit tin to reflect light back onto the shady side of macro or still life shots.

[April Milani]

[MaryBeth Dailey]

I cannot think of any. This is a great thread to learn something.

[Angie]

Totally agree with @espyetta . Thanks! Wish I had something to share back, but not yet.

[Hope Russell]

These are brilliant ideas. I've learned so much already.

[Stephen Oliver]

Inspirational stuff - thanks everyone for sharing

[Misti]

Thanks for the tips and ideas! Some things for this newbie to try and play with :D

[Josh Sudweeks]

My hack is pretty common. I opened up my D70, removed the hotmirror filter from the top of the sensor, and replaced it with a Infrared bypass filter. (protip - If you decide to do this, keep your fingers away from the flash capacitor as there's enough juice to hurt like hell)





The results are quite fun.

[keef bridges]

Strategically placed glass pebbles and F/1.8

[Peggy Scroggins]

Wow these ideas are amazing. I needed some ideas of where to start and how to try set ups. Thanks all.

[Kim Shaw Ball]

Nice photos in this thread!