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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

#2

Use A Fishtank To Get That Underwater Shot

Use A Fishtank To Get That Underwater Shot

COOPH Report

#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

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asf
Community Member
6 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

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

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Dan H
Community Member
6 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

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

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#12

Use Your Sunglasses As A Filter

Use Your Sunglasses As A Filter

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Susan Gardner
Community Member
6 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

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

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DE Ray
Community Member
6 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

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

#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

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

That's not functioning as a lens cap. If it did, there wouldn't be a picture.

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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

#28

Get A Black Tile For Product Photography

Get A Black Tile For Product Photography

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#29

Colorful Filter

Colorful Filter

Olivier Schmitt Report

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

That's what some professionals would call a bad photograph...

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#30

Use Windows For A Softening Effect

Use Windows For A Softening Effect

Jessica Kobeissi Report

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mocochang
Community Member
6 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

 Lighting Trick

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Stille20
Community Member
6 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

Use Plasctic Props To Create ‘Wildlife Photography’ At Home

Satyajit Sardar Report

#33

Use A Hair Dryer To Get A Stand Out Selfie

Use A Hair Dryer To Get A Stand Out Selfie

Clicknetwork Report

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TC
Community Member
6 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

Use Cloth To Achieve The Soft-Focus Lens Effect

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The Other Jake
Community Member
5 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

Use White Sheet As A Reflector Reflector

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Thuong Vu
Community Member
6 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

Create A Camera Filter For Funky And Colorful Photos

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#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

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#42

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Pinhole Using Cardboard

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Pinhole Using Cardboard

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#43

Use Torches To Add Lens Flare

Use Torches To Add Lens Flare

Peter McKinnon Report

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