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Professional photography gear costs thousands of dollars but you can take stunning pictures by spending only a fraction of the cost. If you have the time and the patience, and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, then simple DIY hacks can achieve similar results to spending big bucks on advanced kits.

To make you a better photographer, Bored Panda has collected some of the best DIY camera solutions that were tested to work. From softening the pop-up flash to transforming a 50mm lens into a macro one, these genius tips and tricks will definitely take your pictures to another level. Remember, photography is a playground and there aren't any right or wrong ways to approach it. If it works, it works. Continue scrolling to learn the DIY hacks and vote for your favorite ones!

Cover image credits: Christina Key

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    Use A Plastic Bag For A Softbox Effect

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    asf
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can also use a towel underneath the tripod for a similair effect. When you have a carpet put the tripod in cups/plates with smooth bottom.

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    #6

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    Manipulate Visual Perception Using Forced Perspectives

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    Remove Tourists From Your Pictures Using These Simple Steps

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    Dan H
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Remove tourists from your pictures in 1 simple step - Push them off the cliff

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    #10

    Cut Out A Heart Shape In A Cardboard For A Heart-Shaped Bokeh

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    #12

    Use Your Sunglasses As A Filter

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    Susan Gardner
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or... email it to yourself and then use one of the many filters on the iPhone. Just sayin

    Mariana Paz
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, on the iPhone, because that's the only piece of technology where you can manipulate your pictures and add predefined effects. (a lens filter works quite differently than digitaly manipulating a picture)

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    Anya O
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then you realise without your sunglasses your blinded by the sun, and can't see your camera :)

    Fred Burrows
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did this when I realized the rose was not the same color in my pics as what I saw .

    Raner
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or... use the filter camera on your phone. (If you have one) Just sayin

    Juana
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tried this with my eclipse glasses. Kinda worked.

    Lyndsay B
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I took the film out of my eclipse glasses and stuck it to my lens with kids clay. Got great pictures!

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    #14

    Use A Plastic Bag Smeared With Vaseline For A Soft-Focus Lens Effect

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    DE Ray
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While working at a newspaper, we had a photographer try this- only without the plastic bag. That lens never shot right after.

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    #15

    Cut Different Shapes In A Cardboard For A Window Shadow

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    Use A CD To Create Lens Flares

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    Create A Sparkling Ring Of Fire

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    Create An Arty Filter With Colored Plastic Bags

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    #23

    Blank CD Case Is The Perfect Rain Guard For Your Lens

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    Use A Coffee Hood As Lens Cap

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    Colorful Filter

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    Use Windows For A Softening Effect

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    mocochang
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    imho it just looks what is it, just picture of someone behind a window...

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    Lighting Trick

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    Stille20
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well, it doesn't help that the child looks so miserable int the first shot

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    #32

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    Use A Hair Dryer To Get A Stand Out Selfie

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    TC
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It'll be more effective is somebody waves a card board roughly...

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    Use Cloth To Achieve The Soft-Focus Lens Effect

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    The Other Jake
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not the "soft-focus lens" effect. This is a "shoot-through" effect. Soft focus lenses cover the whole lens. You can create a soft-focus lens effect by stretching very thin, gauzy fabric over the lens.

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    Thuong Vu
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The best tip maybe is taking the portrait from the side angle ;)

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