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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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    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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    #9

    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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    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

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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 An Arty Filter With Colored Plastic Bags

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    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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    You Only Need A Few Simple Items To Capture Highspeed Drops

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    Get A Black Tile For Product Photography

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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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    #31

    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

    Use Plasctic Props To Create ‘Wildlife Photography’ At Home

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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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    #34

    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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    #35

    Use White Sheet As A Reflector Reflector

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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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    #36

    Create A Camera Filter For Funky And Colorful Photos

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    Use A Short Triangular Prism To Reflect Background

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    Lightpainted Background

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