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When scrolling through an Instagram feed we are mesmerized by the beauty and quality of the photographs. And it often leaves us wondering if all these people have personal professional photographers and a free pass to a studio with the best settings you can imagine. It appears that is not always the case but you can trick others into thinking it actually is. With a touch of creativity and knowledge of editing you can turn a casual photo into magical Instagram-worthy image and here is a proof of that.

Quite unexpected places like the grocery store aisle turn into dreamlike backgrounds, a TV screen creates an out-of-this-world atmosphere and ATM seems to stand for ‘automated time machine’ when a photo-shoot is in talented hands and an artistic mind.

Calipatria-based photographer and graphic designer Calob Castellon shows that we shouldn’t believe everything we see on social media and reveals the truth behind perfect photos. In his series, he shows the behind-the-scenes of how a simple picture is transformed into an eye-catching work of art, and over 300k Instagram followers appreciate it.

Scroll down to see what can be achieved with minimal resources and perhaps use some tips next time you go shopping to transform your social media account.

More info: Instagram

#1

Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

Calob Castellon Report

Kaisu Rei
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, this is really creative and amazingly done!

Wyndmere
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are "alien measles" catchy?

holo it's me
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow, looked it up and lots of things glow under a blacklight. however, my first thought was BLOOD lol fantastic photo

Chris H
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What camera is it? Looks expensive.

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    #2

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    photoshop can do miracle

    Tarmin Slingerfinger
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This doesn't seem like photoshop? Just some good lightning+camera settings

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    Tara Trainor
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very talented work! They make it look so magical

    William Teach
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Destroyed a pillow for a photo? Seriously? People need to get over themselves. Go outside and enjoy nature.

    2-10-11
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They murdered that pillow!! Cool picture though

    Jodi Ellis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    great thought process and photoshop!

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    #3

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Tseng Alex
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The picture is awesome because the left pictures presents a novel-like image, showing a sense of missing something or someone or that of her internal reflections. Besides, she's gorgeous.

    #4

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Jodi Ellis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Moving closer to the subject can improve photos.

    Elke Bechtoldt
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's beauty everywhere. You just have to be attentive enough to see it.

    Angela
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, can we talk about composition? Yes, the zoom, bump up the reds in the flowers, yes. Got it, good job on that. Really. But why the blurry "foreground" to the left third? It looks like you forgot to move your thumb! So close to a great close up and reveal but the depth of field attempt failed to achieve an A+ so maybe a B-?

    Lauren Eastman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How about when you have 460k followers on Instagram, then you can come critique the genius on his photos

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    #5

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Naomi George
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this one- so simple yet satisfying.

    Thundor Fox
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why I love screensavers xD

    Suzieq
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He has such pretty hands!

    #6

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    released kraken
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean, obviously a little photoshop but an incredible idea! boi i wish i could teleport from an atm

    Tseng Alex
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This picture presents a movie-like scene like one in Terminator or a hacker-related film.

    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That machine's a bit low down! Is it for children only?!

    Ed Souza
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is very good. so simple yet effective.

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if only this could exist for real

    Z Kalnina
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just don't see what's the point of this Instagram account (or accounts like these). What's the message?

    #7

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    walmart… what a romantic place :-)

    Shannøn Renee
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's actually Target.. the red walls are a dead giveaway.

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    yikes
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WHY IS SHE WEARING RED IN TARGET DOES SHE NOT KNOW THE REPERCUSSIONS

    Melissa Nunya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You get an upvote because I wore a red sweater to target once before Christmas. I barely made it out of there lol

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    Molly Block
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not walmart; the floor is too clean and shiny.

    Mindy Keys
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This young lady is so lovely - I think it would be difficult to make a bad photo of her.

    Pumbaa
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait.. in the left one we see two screens but not on the right side!

    #8

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Kaisu Rei
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can take amazing pics with really simple tricks!

    Tseng Alex
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The left picture presents a dream-like cutie.

    Mare Freed
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like the picture on the right better.

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    #9

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    sofia.girl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is really smart and turned out super pretty!

    Jodi Ellis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    reminds me of people going into Michael's and using their flower arrangements for pictures. The sales people would complain because of the mess they would leave.

    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't know anything about Instagram filters, but whatever was used here was cranked to 11. That was a mistake.

    #11

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Alyse
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    going to bed with a full face of makeup

    Sam
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thats me, I multitask while I sleep....

    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like the use of the phone for the authentic highlights.

    #12

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Katelynn Marie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the original her higlighter is amaaazingg

    yikes
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow this one is my favorite

    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's the point of putting her in front of the Milky Way if they're just going to go with the usual shallow DoF? I think the photographer is a hipster with one prime lens that's stuck all the way open.

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    #13

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Liesa Yopp
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't go near swatches like this, or any row of things like bulk beads, sequins, etc.. Next thing i know its 2 days later and they're calling the cops to get me to leave. I get lost in all the colors.

    #14

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Misa Torres
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol. Awesome!! Shower doors. Brilliant!

    Sill Marien
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    is this rebuilding Shepard from Mass Effect 2 on screen? Cause I'm 99% sure it is :)

    #15

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    Tseng Alex
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a movie-like picture anew.

    Jo Bebe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who bruised the side of the face on this one though?

    Michelle Dodson
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's always my job in the background. My husband calls me a "carbon based articulated light stand".

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    #17

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    tarebear
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NACHO FRIES ARE BACK!!!!!!!

    moist.
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the others are great, this is just the subject feature on iPhone lol

    Samantha Robinson
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's beautiful...now can we get the girl out of the way I'm wanting nacho fries!

    Ry Keener
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The line between creative background and a weird background is very fuzzy one.

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    #18

    Photographer Makes You Think Twice About Believing What You See On Social Networks

    Calob Castellon Report

    released kraken
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me, at 4am except i look like a troll

    Benjámin Dorogi
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only thing that's bothering me right here, that WHO THE HELL STORES CEREALS IN THE FRIDGE???

    FortnitePlayerGirl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    nobody looks perfect while eating a giant-sized frosted flakes, right?

    Anna Repp
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why the cereal is in the fridge?

    Keuthonymos
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love it. Worthy of Instagram, but not to get paid. What an insult.

    Meghan Hibicke
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who keeps frosted flakes in their fridge?

    Sam
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why keep Frosties in the fridge? They are sugar coated, nothing is breaking through that barrier....

    Lizzie the Crayon
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Be like tony and let frosted flakes be part of your "complete" breakfast.

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    C**p... all that stuffed knocked over in the door is giving me hives...

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