Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
The internet is full of beautiful and amazing photographs, but do you ever stop and wonder just what went into that perfect shot? I'm not just talking about the digital manipulation side of the process, although there's certainly plenty of that involved. No, I'm talking about the physical hard work combined with the often super-creative approaches that photographers employ in order to ensure that their final shot is the very best it can be.
Take a look at these behind-the-scenes pictures to see what we mean. Compiled by Bored Panda, they're sure to give the budding photographer some fresh ideas while giving the rest of us an enlightening glimpse into the reality that hides behind many a perfect picture.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Miniature Car Models Create Realistic Historical Photos
You May Also Like:
#2
Wedding Photography
#3
Water Reflections
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
And now we know!!! I often wondered how certain photos had been created underwater!
#4
Life In A Drop Photography
#5
Surreal Miniature Photography
#6
Girl Enjoying Rain
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
An observant person would have noticed that it's only raining on the leaf. But I do still love the effect!
#7
Fox Close Up
#8
Water Splash Background
#9
Levitation
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
I'd think she would still have to be some sort of gymnist to be able to balance (and hold) like that. Wowza!
#10
Wedding Photography
Evisa Isabella Rose 8 years ago
And after the shooting, clothes straight into the washing machine!!! ;-)
#11
Photoshoot 25m Under The Sea In A Sunken Shipwreck
#12
M&M’s In Water Drops
Cyndie Birdsong 8 years ago
the m-n-m's on the main pic are lined up like rainbows, yet the reveal pic has them all mixed up in the bowl - a lie within a lie! ;)
David Martin 7 years ago
What a brilliant idea !
Scientific trivia note -- this was how the first microscope operated. A drop of water in the middle of a holder acted as a magnifying lens. xLeeuwenho...7ed1e0.jpg 
Robert Einstein 7 years ago
The only photo that agrees with the title of this article. This one is BS.
Deborah Johnston 8 years ago
The water doesn't look like water & the M & M's are Skittles- I think the set up is the fake & the pic was just photoshopped.
vicarious1 8 years ago
These are real https://visualsenses.smugmug.com/Reflections-of-mood-and/The-Heart-is-the-matter/Valentines-Day-exceptional/
#13
Floating
#14
How Landscape Photos Are Really Made
#15
Splashing Roses Photography
#16
Underwater Photoshoot
#17
Heart-shaped Photo
Jotaeme Isola 8 years ago
the one who post this things doesn't know what a LIE means i think. this is bokeh, a light effect, not a lie
#18
Levitation Shot
Elizabeth Edelmann 8 years ago
This had to take a lot of editing... a little too much for my liking but still a cool aftershot
#19
How Rare White Curtain Auroras Are Made
#20
Burning Lava
#22
Large Bust
#23
"Milk" In Cereal Commercials Is Often Glue
#24
Creating An Indoor Blizzard
#25
Bouncing Baby
#26
Rock Climber
#27
That's How It Looks Like In Real Life
#29
Close-ups Of Snowflakes
Nuno Queirós 8 years ago
Why is this fake? This is a legitimate way to achieve a good macro picture of ice...
#30
Dreamy Effect
#31
Wedding Photography
#32
Underwater Dog
#33
Background Trick
#34
Perfume On A Glassy Surface
#35
Umbrella
#36
Underwater Photoshoot
#37
How Mountains Landscape Photos Are Made Of
Sarah Locke 8 years ago
I've seen real life pictures just like this... why go through all that work?
#38
Levitation Shoot
Elizabeth Edelmann 8 years ago
Lol so they just cut out the end of the dress where it's tied to hold up.. i don't like that they added a fake floating chair post production
#39
Volcano Photography
Maureen Howard 8 years ago
he didn't want to burn his tripod or his feet like the other photographer!
#40
Flour Photoshoot
#41
Macro Photography
#42
Food Styling Photography
#43
Surrealistic Photoshoot In The Sea
#44
Aurora Borealis
Romulus ANGHEL 8 years ago
This is a lie only if you can't travel to a Nordic country where you can actually witness a superb aurora borealis.
#45
Sinking Photography
#46
Baby Photography
#47
Levitation Photography
#48
Romantic Couple Photoshoot
Ovidiu Löwe 8 years ago
I really don't understand why the title of this post is so negativistic. It's not a lie, it's actually ART.
#49
Capturing The Hummingbirds With 3d Camera
#50
A Long-Exposure Picture While Zooming Out
#51
Dreaming Of Flying
#52
Bokeh Hearts
#53
The Seashore
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Evan B 8 years ago
THere's aren't lies but methods to take creative photos. The lie is in the modeling, post-production world that suggests models have "perfect" skin, hair, waist, legs, arms, chest, etc. While many techniques are about creative utility., there is still a heavy focus on Photoshopping the subject until they're not human anymore. When the production team want's you to believe it's reality, where as these are artists wanting you to dream with them and believe, while understanding it's not real. It's analogous to "psychics" & magicians.
Troy Holland 7 years ago
I would call the photos of the aurora borealis and all the fake landscapes lies but still cool
Load More Replies...
Evisa Isabella Rose 8 years ago
Thank you Bored Panda! I found some really helpful tricks here! :)
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
I'll have a whole new perception of photos and a better understanding of how they might have been created, after seeing this post. Thank you Bored Panda!
Katinka Min 8 years ago
It shows that a hell of a lot of work and thought goes into one photo. Anybody who thinks that photos tell a 'truth' is an idiot, anyway. The framing and the choice of camera angle leave very little that is 'real'
Clemens Kneringer 8 years ago
Right! Photos are always subjective. They show the photographers reality or what he wants others to think it's real!
Murales, Orgosolo, Sardegna.
Difference between the photos 3 steps and 3 seconds DSCF6963_S...4c1b4d.jpg 
Brian Zhong 8 years ago
most of these aren't "lies". just creative use of techniques and tools and the cameraman going above and beyond
Saher Arshad 7 years ago
Photography is not the biggest lie ever! These photos and the tricks used are pure genius! Show how much effort goes in taking one good shot!
Orelie Buffel 7 years ago
Photography is not a lie, It's art.. something you guys clearly can't see if you call it a lie.
Curt Rogers 8 years ago
The real hero of the rock climbing photo was the photographer who trusted his safety to such a jury-rig.
Jessica Danielle 7 years ago
The only one that I see as a "lie" would be the skittles picture.. in the picture they are color coordinated but when you look at the bowl they are mixed.. other than that they are not lies just creative techniques captured to show in a different perception
Sophie Swaney 7 years ago
What's the lie? It's still photography. It's still beautiful to look at and there's nothing wrong with it. P:
Tom Wagner 4 years ago
Some great ideas here... though I think the use of Photoshop in some was a cheat.
Sebastian Gruchacz 7 years ago
What kind of lie is in doing underwater photography... underwater?
Petrumila Zhendova 7 years ago
Photography as an art and not as a documentary literal conveying of a certain image, is a lie like every other form of art. In most presented cases, however, it's not even about a lie in the real sense of the word. The captured images are real. Even if we were there with our eyes we would see the same image if we looked from the same perspective. It's a matter of a point of view. As for the fact that the photo in question is only a piece of the picture and we don't get to see the big picture - that's another question. It's like saying that the image we see on Earth - a horizon, flat lands, seas, etc. is a lie, because viewed from outer space it looks totally different. ;)
David Martin 7 years ago
The biggest "Lie" in the article was the use of the word "Lie" in the title. Everything else was simple photo editing , miniatures, or skillful use of a long lens.
Anthony Patti 7 years ago
Calling these 'lies' is a massive and irresponsible exaggeration for click-bait reasons, but this is a good way to get perspective on how optical illusions are created; some people probably don't realize that this is a thing.
Victoria Desmond 7 years ago
HOW I GOT MY EX LOVER BACK I want to share my testimony with everyone, my name is Victoria Desmond from USA, after 4 years of marriage with my husband ,he left me for another woman which led me into frustration. I did all i could to get him back but none availed, until an old friend of mine told me about a spell caster Dr.jaja on the internet who helped her in a similar problem, at first i doubted it but I decided to give it a try.I contacted the doctor (jajaspellcaster@yahoo.com) he helped me cast a spell on my husband and within 48 hours my husband came back home to me again. I can't stop giving thanks to doctor jaja. Contact this great spell caster on any of your problems, he is capable of providing a lasting solution to all your problems: (1) Breakup and Love Spells (2) Bring back your Ex or lost love (3) Stop divorce or divorce spell (4) Marriage Spells (5) Pregnancy and Child bearing spell (6) Business Spell (7) Remove sickness from your body spell (8) you w
Joëlle Comtois 7 years ago
It's not lies, it's art and it's really interesting to see how it's done. Awesome.
Anouk Wijnja 7 years ago
What a lie! I always thought that models in an underwater shoot were some sort of mutants with gills.....never ever it crossed my mind they just used the oxygen tank of one of the other divers! Thanks for clearing that one up bored panda......*sarcasm mode off*
Karel Bata 7 years ago
I got that water ripple effect with a lot less hassle once (it was for a much larger area) by reflecting a light off some mylar stretched over a frame which was then wiggled. I'd noticed before how the light reflecting off a gel looked rather nice and put that to good effect.
Max Pemberton 7 years ago
This is a pathetic story. Why are they lies? Does a painter always paint the truth, does the news always tell the truth, and have you always told the truth? All of these photos where not editorial in nature so there is no need to depict exact moments in time. Any photographer outside of the news, should be free to express and create what they want. I think you should rename the article to reflect the extra effort and creativity of the photographers in your article. Unlike you these people look at the world differently, evidently with more creativity and style than your boring white picket fence view of the world.
Ethan Burgess 7 years ago
The wedding photo is perfectly normal! See the reflection underneath the photographer... And the cars one is simply made with good editing!
Jared Basques 7 years ago
Personally for me. Tells me these people have excellent imagination, imagery and alot of ingenuity... I don't see this as a "lie" or "fake" just wonderful creativity, who cares about how the pictures were taken... What matters to me is that "it has an attraction" and yes it gets other's to gaze and appreciate good photo shot and a different perspective of how certain thing's re done... A reference to some lives out there icould put it as.
Shirley Watts 7 years ago
Hmmm the aurora and nature ones are disappointing as nature presents so many beautiful oppertunites the rest I am not too worried by
Lorri Adams 7 years ago
I've been going through these photos thinking 'What's your point?" none of the photographs are lies, all the article does is show HOW these effects are achieved. Artistic painting can be a lie, I know a painter who will create a painting which encompasses bits and pieces of four or five different scenes. All art is subjective, it doesn't matter how the end result is achieved, so long as it is the artist's vision, that is ALL that matters.
Anouk Wijnja 7 years ago
Yes because it's a big lie......thats why het let's his shoes and tripod burn.......
Load More Replies...
euge taboox 8 years ago
Lies? cmon, maybe its the bored panda who lies about the title of this post...creativity is not a lie..should these photographers say their image is Staight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) ..that's a lie ..did they mention it? OFFENDING TITLE ...... and yet you post articles and photos that are actually post processed...and you gave them a good title... i don't wanna raise my middle finger...
Daniel Hiebert 8 years ago
So what is the problem? It still is a shot with a real camera and not something created on a computer. That is why their called Artist!
Greg Marino 8 years ago
Lies aren't usually beautiful and all of these artists are creating pure beauty - Who ever came up with the title for this article is a poopoo
judit vagnoni 8 years ago
I really admire the human imagination and creativity. The man can do anything for adapting the reality (or their dreams) in a more beautiful image. It´s a lie? Yes, but are real in their minds... and i love end result. Them create magic .
Nikolay Mirchev 8 years ago
There is nothing scummy with this images,as the headline points out. It shows how images, other ways impossible to create, are done using various techniques/effects. Best thing for this post will be a Title rename.
Ruth Morton 8 years ago
The title of the piece is misleading, but the photographs and the processes that helped create them are fascinating.
Anders Karing 8 years ago
So you can't be creative all of the sudden? The intention isn't to bloody lie to you. It's create art and wonder through creativity and imagination. Pictures taken for beauty magazines, sure. They edit and change the models in post production, that's lies. But insulting creative and talented photographers and call them liars makes you look like a proper c**t.
Dana Rodic 8 years ago
It just shows photographers are creative ! The one with a drop and a couple in it really surprised me !
Clayton Adams 8 years ago
What a BS article. First, all these images were done for gain, yet you lump all photography together as lies. Second, since all photographs are two dimensional, no photograph accurately portrays reality. Telephoto lenses, short focus, b&w, arranging a group of people, all are distortions of reality.
Eevee Solitaria Miau 8 years ago
¿En serio alguien piensa que son mentiras? Vaya mierda de artículo. Si se llamara "Cómo hicieron estas fotografías" o algo así pues todavía. Pero no veo qué parte de todo esto es una mentira, quitando el propio título.
Catalina Ioan 8 years ago
A lot of these are either very ingenious (if not brilliant), or very insightful for someone not privy to these insider techniques, but I really don't appreciate those "how landscape photos are made (sic)" titles. No, it most definitely is not, it's simply how they *can* be *staged*, if one were inclined to, that's it.
Evan B 8 years ago
THere's aren't lies but methods to take creative photos. The lie is in the modeling, post-production world that suggests models have "perfect" skin, hair, waist, legs, arms, chest, etc. While many techniques are about creative utility., there is still a heavy focus on Photoshopping the subject until they're not human anymore. When the production team want's you to believe it's reality, where as these are artists wanting you to dream with them and believe, while understanding it's not real. It's analogous to "psychics" & magicians.
Troy Holland 7 years ago
I would call the photos of the aurora borealis and all the fake landscapes lies but still cool
Load More Replies... Evisa Isabella Rose 8 years ago
Thank you Bored Panda! I found some really helpful tricks here! :)
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
I'll have a whole new perception of photos and a better understanding of how they might have been created, after seeing this post. Thank you Bored Panda!
Katinka Min 8 years ago
It shows that a hell of a lot of work and thought goes into one photo. Anybody who thinks that photos tell a 'truth' is an idiot, anyway. The framing and the choice of camera angle leave very little that is 'real'
Clemens Kneringer 8 years ago
Right! Photos are always subjective. They show the photographers reality or what he wants others to think it's real!
Murales, Orgosolo, Sardegna.
Difference between the photos 3 steps and 3 seconds DSCF6963_S...4c1b4d.jpg
Brian Zhong 8 years ago
most of these aren't "lies". just creative use of techniques and tools and the cameraman going above and beyond
Saher Arshad 7 years ago
Photography is not the biggest lie ever! These photos and the tricks used are pure genius! Show how much effort goes in taking one good shot!
Orelie Buffel 7 years ago
Photography is not a lie, It's art.. something you guys clearly can't see if you call it a lie.
Curt Rogers 8 years ago
The real hero of the rock climbing photo was the photographer who trusted his safety to such a jury-rig.
Jessica Danielle 7 years ago
The only one that I see as a "lie" would be the skittles picture.. in the picture they are color coordinated but when you look at the bowl they are mixed.. other than that they are not lies just creative techniques captured to show in a different perception
Sophie Swaney 7 years ago
What's the lie? It's still photography. It's still beautiful to look at and there's nothing wrong with it. P:
Tom Wagner 4 years ago
Some great ideas here... though I think the use of Photoshop in some was a cheat.
Sebastian Gruchacz 7 years ago
What kind of lie is in doing underwater photography... underwater?
Petrumila Zhendova 7 years ago
Photography as an art and not as a documentary literal conveying of a certain image, is a lie like every other form of art. In most presented cases, however, it's not even about a lie in the real sense of the word. The captured images are real. Even if we were there with our eyes we would see the same image if we looked from the same perspective. It's a matter of a point of view. As for the fact that the photo in question is only a piece of the picture and we don't get to see the big picture - that's another question. It's like saying that the image we see on Earth - a horizon, flat lands, seas, etc. is a lie, because viewed from outer space it looks totally different. ;)
David Martin 7 years ago
The biggest "Lie" in the article was the use of the word "Lie" in the title. Everything else was simple photo editing , miniatures, or skillful use of a long lens.
Anthony Patti 7 years ago
Calling these 'lies' is a massive and irresponsible exaggeration for click-bait reasons, but this is a good way to get perspective on how optical illusions are created; some people probably don't realize that this is a thing.
Victoria Desmond 7 years ago
HOW I GOT MY EX LOVER BACK I want to share my testimony with everyone, my name is Victoria Desmond from USA, after 4 years of marriage with my husband ,he left me for another woman which led me into frustration. I did all i could to get him back but none availed, until an old friend of mine told me about a spell caster Dr.jaja on the internet who helped her in a similar problem, at first i doubted it but I decided to give it a try.I contacted the doctor (jajaspellcaster@yahoo.com) he helped me cast a spell on my husband and within 48 hours my husband came back home to me again. I can't stop giving thanks to doctor jaja. Contact this great spell caster on any of your problems, he is capable of providing a lasting solution to all your problems: (1) Breakup and Love Spells (2) Bring back your Ex or lost love (3) Stop divorce or divorce spell (4) Marriage Spells (5) Pregnancy and Child bearing spell (6) Business Spell (7) Remove sickness from your body spell (8) you w
Joëlle Comtois 7 years ago
It's not lies, it's art and it's really interesting to see how it's done. Awesome.
Anouk Wijnja 7 years ago
What a lie! I always thought that models in an underwater shoot were some sort of mutants with gills.....never ever it crossed my mind they just used the oxygen tank of one of the other divers! Thanks for clearing that one up bored panda......*sarcasm mode off*
Karel Bata 7 years ago
I got that water ripple effect with a lot less hassle once (it was for a much larger area) by reflecting a light off some mylar stretched over a frame which was then wiggled. I'd noticed before how the light reflecting off a gel looked rather nice and put that to good effect.
Max Pemberton 7 years ago
This is a pathetic story. Why are they lies? Does a painter always paint the truth, does the news always tell the truth, and have you always told the truth? All of these photos where not editorial in nature so there is no need to depict exact moments in time. Any photographer outside of the news, should be free to express and create what they want. I think you should rename the article to reflect the extra effort and creativity of the photographers in your article. Unlike you these people look at the world differently, evidently with more creativity and style than your boring white picket fence view of the world.
Ethan Burgess 7 years ago
The wedding photo is perfectly normal! See the reflection underneath the photographer... And the cars one is simply made with good editing!
Jared Basques 7 years ago
Personally for me. Tells me these people have excellent imagination, imagery and alot of ingenuity... I don't see this as a "lie" or "fake" just wonderful creativity, who cares about how the pictures were taken... What matters to me is that "it has an attraction" and yes it gets other's to gaze and appreciate good photo shot and a different perspective of how certain thing's re done... A reference to some lives out there icould put it as.
Shirley Watts 7 years ago
Hmmm the aurora and nature ones are disappointing as nature presents so many beautiful oppertunites the rest I am not too worried by
Lorri Adams 7 years ago
I've been going through these photos thinking 'What's your point?" none of the photographs are lies, all the article does is show HOW these effects are achieved. Artistic painting can be a lie, I know a painter who will create a painting which encompasses bits and pieces of four or five different scenes. All art is subjective, it doesn't matter how the end result is achieved, so long as it is the artist's vision, that is ALL that matters.
Anouk Wijnja 7 years ago
Yes because it's a big lie......thats why het let's his shoes and tripod burn.......
Load More Replies... euge taboox 8 years ago
Lies? cmon, maybe its the bored panda who lies about the title of this post...creativity is not a lie..should these photographers say their image is Staight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) ..that's a lie ..did they mention it? OFFENDING TITLE ...... and yet you post articles and photos that are actually post processed...and you gave them a good title... i don't wanna raise my middle finger...
Daniel Hiebert 8 years ago
So what is the problem? It still is a shot with a real camera and not something created on a computer. That is why their called Artist!
Greg Marino 8 years ago
Lies aren't usually beautiful and all of these artists are creating pure beauty - Who ever came up with the title for this article is a poopoo
judit vagnoni 8 years ago
I really admire the human imagination and creativity. The man can do anything for adapting the reality (or their dreams) in a more beautiful image. It´s a lie? Yes, but are real in their minds... and i love end result. Them create magic .
Nikolay Mirchev 8 years ago
There is nothing scummy with this images,as the headline points out. It shows how images, other ways impossible to create, are done using various techniques/effects. Best thing for this post will be a Title rename.
Ruth Morton 8 years ago
The title of the piece is misleading, but the photographs and the processes that helped create them are fascinating.
Anders Karing 8 years ago
So you can't be creative all of the sudden? The intention isn't to bloody lie to you. It's create art and wonder through creativity and imagination. Pictures taken for beauty magazines, sure. They edit and change the models in post production, that's lies. But insulting creative and talented photographers and call them liars makes you look like a proper c**t.
Dana Rodic 8 years ago
It just shows photographers are creative ! The one with a drop and a couple in it really surprised me !
Clayton Adams 8 years ago
What a BS article. First, all these images were done for gain, yet you lump all photography together as lies. Second, since all photographs are two dimensional, no photograph accurately portrays reality. Telephoto lenses, short focus, b&w, arranging a group of people, all are distortions of reality.
Eevee Solitaria Miau 8 years ago
¿En serio alguien piensa que son mentiras? Vaya mierda de artículo. Si se llamara "Cómo hicieron estas fotografías" o algo así pues todavía. Pero no veo qué parte de todo esto es una mentira, quitando el propio título.
Catalina Ioan 8 years ago
A lot of these are either very ingenious (if not brilliant), or very insightful for someone not privy to these insider techniques, but I really don't appreciate those "how landscape photos are made (sic)" titles. No, it most definitely is not, it's simply how they *can* be *staged*, if one were inclined to, that's it.
You May Like 86 Photography Hacks To Take Your Photos To The Next Level 30 Animal Panorama Fails That Are So Bad They're Good Look At What New York Looked Like 3 Decades Ago (30 Photos)
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Akvile Petraityte 🇺🇦
Indrė Lukošiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
