DIY Photography Hacks

• Vaseline Lense Blur 

I'll start with this one since I've always wanted to try this little trick but never had the opportunity do so. Might be a bit messy, but I think the results can be quite interesting. Just make sure to use a lense filter and not directly on the lense itself. 

DIY prop

Result

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• DIY Camera Flash Diffuser

There's probably nothing worse than using direct camera flash specially if it's from the built-in flash from the camera. This direct light will make the face look flat with very harsh shadows and worst of all the skin will have very bright areas which look very unnatural and unappealing specially if it's a model with makeup or oily skin. Even placing a napkin on the flash will make the light softer and with much better results.

DIY Prop

Result

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• DIY Hazy Photographs Using a Plastic Bag

Similar to the first prop, this one involves less mess and similar results although both have there unique look. This one I've tried myself but using tree leaves, grass or any other natural thing I find lying around when I'm shooting, it creates a very nice effect in the foreground which gives the image more depth and helps draw focus unto the subject by "framing" them inside this haze. 

DIY Prop

Result

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So these are my top 3 DIY props for the moment that can give you very interesting and unique shots, it's a matter of experimenting and improving upon these techniques, maybe even come up with your own idea with the materials you have at hand. I'll be updating this list in the future, so stay tuned! And don't forget to leave your comment on your favourite DIY props if you have any. 

3 Must Have Photography Accesories

So these are my 3 must have photography accessories based on what I own, they are not in any specific order.

• Camera Sling Type Strap 

I bought this one recently, the "Altura Camera Neck Strap w/ quick release". I didn't know what to expect when I bought this, but according to the reviews it  was a great accesory to own. I can tell you now that it's one of the best camera items that EVERY photographer should have. The typical neck strap you receive with your camera cannot be hung accross the shoulder without compromising accessibility to the camera when you need to pull it up to your eye to shoot, because of the friction created against your body doesn't allow the camera to move up. This strap solve this issue by separating the strap from the camera but still being securely held to it by a solid metal piece that can also be quickly released if you need it to detach it for some reason. 

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• LCDVF : LCD Screen Magnifier 

I can't really express how great of a help this little accessory has been for me to capture crisp sharp photographs when using very shallow depth of field portraits. This LCD screen magnifier solves two main issues, the first is when you try to use your camera's LCD in plain daylight, it's very hard to see the image, and a lot of times you might think you got a good exposure on the image or that it's nicely focused on the subjects eye for example, but it's only when you go home that you zoom into the photograph in Lightroom that you realize you missed by an inch. So by being able to look through your LCD screen before you shoot, you can clearly see verify the focus and the exposure of the shot, plus it gives a very nice cinematic feeling when shooting this way. 

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• Memory Card Hard Case

Probably the most important thing every photographer should take care of as much as their camera, is the memory cards. A memory card malfunction can cause you big pain if you happen to have amazing photographs or video that you shot maybe on a trip or even worse: for a client. So taking care to store them properly to optimize their lifespan is very important, and this particular case, the Pelican is probably your best bet. It also provides a water resistant seal which is useful in rainy days, outdoor photography or simply accidents happen while on the move. I like keeping this case in my back pocket with a strip that's securely fastened to my belt, to keep my client's photos close to me at all times during a shoot. 

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Hope you enjoyed this Top 3 choice of mine, I would definitely buy them again if I had to because they aren't expensive and they provide a great solution for common issues.