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Wedding Photographer Shares A Ridiculously Simple Photography Trick And The Results Are Stunning
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Wedding Photographer Shares A Ridiculously Simple Photography Trick And The Results Are Stunning

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If you haven’t yet mastered the inner workings of a camera, simple photography tricks can help you a great deal. Recently, professional photographer Mathias Fast has shared a zero-budget photography hack on how to improve your portraits by adding reflections, and it will take every beginner’s wedding photography shots to a whole new level.

The secret is simple. A phone screen. Using it as a reflective surface, people can easily get rid of undesired elements entering the frame or add intrigue to a simple composition. “I’m hardly the first person to use it but “discovered” it for myself at a wedding one day when I was photographing the bride getting ready,” Mathias told Bored Panda. “The bridesmaids had their phones lying on the table and I saw the reflections they were creating. I realized that at the right angle and distance I could incorporate the reflection(s) into a photograph while disguising the fact that they were coming from a phone.”

Mathias has been shooting wedding photos professionally close to 6 six years now. “A phone is almost always in my pocket which is why I find it such a handy tool to use,” he added. “I try not to overuse it (like with anything it can get gimmicky if used too much) but definitely incorporate it a couple times throughout a wedding or portrait session. Sometimes the effects are subtle, sometimes they are much more dramatic. My goal is always to have the viewer pause for a second and try to figure out what is going on in the beautiful photos.”

Fast also pointed out that this photo idea isn’t limited to phone screens. “When I’m photographing, my eyes are constantly being drawn to anything remotely reflective that I can use to frame the subject with. Counter-tops, windows – I’ve even used the surface of my watch to bounce some interesting light into a scene.” Scroll down to check out how it works and if you want to learn more, fire up these 10+ Genius Camera Hacks That Will Greatly Improve Your Photography Skills In Less Than 3 Minutes.

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More info: mathiasfastphotography.com | Facebook | Instagram

One guy has discovered a genius way to make your portraits look dreamy

Image credits: Mathias Fast

And this zero-budget hack doesn’t require Photoshop as well

Image credits: Mathias Fast

The only thing you need is your phone

Image credits: Mathias Fast

 “Start by holding your phone on a horizontal plane to the bottom edge of your lens”

Image credits: Mathias Fast

“As you look through the viewfinder you’ll see part of the scene reflecting onto the lower part of the image”

Image credits: Mathias Fast

“Simply adjust the phone slightly (while still holding it close the edge of the lens) until you see a reflection that you like:”

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Image credits: Mathias Fast

Here’s the result!

Image credits: Mathias Fast

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Image credits: Mathias Fast

Image credits: Mathias Fast

Image credits: Mathias Fast

Image credits: Mathias Fast

Image credits: Mathias Fast

Image credits: Mathias Fast

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Here’s what people thought about the trick:

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jiendo avatar
Leonie Spierings
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it easier to use a mirror of some sorts? Since you have to wipe your phone vigorously every time you try this

81aday avatar
Aaron Pie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any reflective surface should work but might give stronger or weaker effects depending on how reflective it is but that is the beauty of things like this. You can experiment with all types of stuff in photography to get some really amazing effects with out ever needing to touch Photoshop.

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okyoulead avatar
Randy Baker
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My room-mate was a photography major at UCSD and as I got into photography he was kind enough to show me how to create good photos. The one thing I recall most vividly, and is amply evident in this beautiful technique is simply to focus on "in-camera" techniques to create effects and to avoid darkroom and post production processes. This was well before the digital era but as manifest in this story, still holds true. I love to take photos through the crystal sun-catcher on my front porch and people routinely go WHOA, how'd you do that I'm going to try this out right now! And I may try it with a hand mirror too! Thanks for the share!

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jiendo avatar
Leonie Spierings
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it easier to use a mirror of some sorts? Since you have to wipe your phone vigorously every time you try this

81aday avatar
Aaron Pie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any reflective surface should work but might give stronger or weaker effects depending on how reflective it is but that is the beauty of things like this. You can experiment with all types of stuff in photography to get some really amazing effects with out ever needing to touch Photoshop.

Load More Replies...
okyoulead avatar
Randy Baker
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My room-mate was a photography major at UCSD and as I got into photography he was kind enough to show me how to create good photos. The one thing I recall most vividly, and is amply evident in this beautiful technique is simply to focus on "in-camera" techniques to create effects and to avoid darkroom and post production processes. This was well before the digital era but as manifest in this story, still holds true. I love to take photos through the crystal sun-catcher on my front porch and people routinely go WHOA, how'd you do that I'm going to try this out right now! And I may try it with a hand mirror too! Thanks for the share!

Load More Comments
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