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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

#1

Use Tinfoil To Create A Wall Of Bokeh

Use Tinfoil To Create A Wall Of Bokeh

COOPH Report

#2

Use A Fishtank To Get That Underwater Shot

Use A Fishtank To Get That Underwater Shot

COOPH Report

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

No, that's not how they do it. That's how you can try to do it, probably screw up, and ruin your moderately priced camera. They do it with an expensive camera that's meant to be used while actually submerged in water.

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

I have already dropped the tank and the camera just by looking at this

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

Well, I don't doubt people try it this way, but no on in their right mind would risk wrecking their gear while trying to submerge a heavy fishtank just the right amount to get this - honestly, really mediocre - shot. Not to mention you could probably get an underwater bag for about the same money as even the fishtank :D

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

*waits for man to drop heavy fish tank in water* *waits for man to fall in the water*

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

And I thought I had to buy expensive waterproof camera for underwater shots!

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

So risky. I wouldn't dare. I'd rather use a home made periscope...

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

Never knew that we can use such a method for underwater photography rather than spending a bomb on underwater gear. thanks for sharing

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

Shot would be more dynamic and experimental in angles if you used a gopro with waterproof case. Please do not risk your camera like that.

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

Be sure the waves aren't too heavy! If so, build up the sides with fome-core or similar!

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

They use underwater camera or casese to take the shoot. If you are going to try this way - how about we add a air balloon to make it float, and use the pressure to shoot, then if the aquarium fell it may float up.

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

I frequently find people who know A LOT about techniques and tricks are LOUSY photographers! As an experiment, Richard Avedon once used a fotomat booth to shoot sensational portraits!

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

Unless if you have a fishtank already, waterproof cases for your camera can be cheaper (not always)

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#3

Use A Piece Of Cloth And A Cardboard To Create A Portable And Inexpensive Seamless Background System

Use A Piece Of Cloth And A Cardboard To Create A Portable And Inexpensive Seamless Background System

Taylor Mathis Report

#4

Use A Plastic Bag For A Softbox Effect

Use A Plastic Bag For A Softbox Effect

Sheldon Evans Report

#5

Use A Towel As Video Slider

Use A Towel As Video Slider

Sheldon Evans Report

#6

Don't Be Afraid To Add Lights With Regular Bulbs

Don't Be Afraid To Add Lights With Regular Bulbs

Brandon Woelfel Report

#7

Manipulate Visual Perception Using Forced Perspectives

Manipulate Visual Perception Using Forced Perspectives

COOPH Report

#8

Get That Perfect Top-Down Photo For Your Instagram

Get That Perfect Top-Down Photo For Your Instagram

happygreylucky Report

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#9

Remove Tourists From Your Pictures Using These Simple Steps

Remove Tourists From Your Pictures Using These Simple Steps

windsywinds , toomanyadapters Report

#10

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

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

globetrotterdiaries Report

#11

Easy Macro Lens Hack

Easy Macro Lens Hack

COOPH Report

#12

Use Your Sunglasses As A Filter

Use Your Sunglasses As A Filter

COOPH Report

#13

Instant Fake Macro Bokeh

Instant Fake Macro Bokeh

Sheldon Evans Report

#14

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

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

freepeople Report

#15

Cut Different Shapes In A Cardboard For A Window Shadow

Cut Different Shapes In A Cardboard For A Window Shadow

Learn photo editing Report

#16

Use A CD To Create Lens Flares

Use A CD To Create Lens Flares

Sheldon Evans Report

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#17

Cut Out Your Own Bokeh Shapes

Cut Out Your Own Bokeh Shapes

howaboutorange Report

#18

Add Steam With Regular Appliances

Add Steam With Regular Appliances

nicolesyblog Report

#19

Create A Sparkling Ring Of Fire

Create A Sparkling Ring Of Fire

COOPH Report

#20

Create An Arty Filter With Colored Plastic Bags

Create An Arty Filter With Colored Plastic Bags

COOPH Report

#21

Use A Sandwich Bag To Create Hazy Photos

Use A Sandwich Bag To Create Hazy Photos

Jesse David McGrady Report

#22

Create A Different Self Portrait Using Lace

Create A Different Self Portrait Using Lace

Maddie Lullaby Report

#23

Blank CD Case Is The Perfect Rain Guard For Your Lens

Blank CD Case Is The Perfect Rain Guard For Your Lens

techradar.com Report

#24

Use A Coffee Hood As Lens Cap

Use A Coffee Hood As Lens Cap

Peter McKinnon Report

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#25

You Only Need A Few Simple Items To Capture Highspeed Drops

You Only Need A Few Simple Items To Capture Highspeed Drops

COOPH Report

#26

Reduce Camera Shake With A Bag Of Lentils

Reduce Camera Shake With A Bag Of Lentils

techradar.com Report

#27

Create A Softbox Using A Shower Curtain

Create A Softbox Using A Shower Curtain

COOPH Report

#28

Get A Black Tile For Product Photography

Get A Black Tile For Product Photography

COOPH Report

#29

Colorful Filter

Colorful Filter

Olivier Schmitt Report

#30

Use Windows For A Softening Effect

Use Windows For A Softening Effect

Jessica Kobeissi Report

#31

Lighting Trick

 Lighting Trick

Jwalt Photography Report

#32

Use Plasctic Props To Create ‘Wildlife Photography’ At Home

Use Plasctic Props To Create ‘Wildlife Photography’ At Home

Satyajit Sardar Report

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#33

Use A Hair Dryer To Get A Stand Out Selfie

Use A Hair Dryer To Get A Stand Out Selfie

Clicknetwork Report

#34

Use Cloth To Achieve The Soft-Focus Lens Effect

Use Cloth To Achieve The Soft-Focus Lens Effect

freepeople Report

#35

Use White Sheet As A Reflector Reflector

Use White Sheet As A Reflector Reflector

5-Minute Crafts Report

#36

Create A Camera Filter For Funky And Colorful Photos

Create A Camera Filter For Funky And Colorful Photos

elyanaivette.com Report

#37

Use Glasses To Add 'Filters'

Use Glasses To Add 'Filters'

Wolfeye Report

#38

Use A Short Triangular Prism To Reflect Background

Use A Short Triangular Prism To Reflect Background

Mathieu Stern Report

#39

Lightpainted Background

Lightpainted Background

COOPH Report

#40

Create Your Own Color Lens Filters

Create Your Own Color Lens Filters

my23skidoo Report

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#41

Mimic Film Burn With A Matchstick

Mimic Film Burn With A Matchstick

Sheldon Evans Report

#42

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Pinhole Using Cardboard

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Pinhole Using Cardboard

COOPH Report

#43

Use Torches To Add Lens Flare

Use Torches To Add Lens Flare

Peter McKinnon Report

#44

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#45

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#46

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#47

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