The team over at DigitalRev have put together a helpful (and hilarious) video that'll show you some tricks and hacks for everything from stabilizing your camera to makeshift filters using stuff you can probably find in your house.

Chances are you've seen a few of these before, like the Vaseline trick, but there are several in there that are big time lifesavers.

  1. Tripod strap: Zip ties and key rings can give you 
  2. Vaseline filter: Putting Vaseline on some glass will give you a nice soft focus, but you'll want to find a way to mount it to your camera before shooting.
  3. Pantyhose filter: You've probably heard of this one before. Stretching some tights or pantyhose over your lens is a great way to filter your shots. Tip: Stretch/loosen them for different looks.
  4. String stabilizer: A length of string can act as a functional monopod. Tip: Wear your cameras strap around your neck for added stability.
  5. Corn stabilizer: Throw some corn, rice, quinoa, or whatever is small and malleable in a bag and set your camera on top for stability.
  6. TP roll macro lens: An empty roll of toilet paper (or paper towels) can get you macro shots.
  7. Camera strap filter: Your camera strap can be used to change your exposure.
  8. Custom bokeh: You can make your very own custom bokeh by cutting shapes into card stock.
  9. Pinehole bodycap: Cut a hole into your camera's body cap for a pinhole lens.
  10. Beauty Pie Dish: Yep -- use a pie dish for a quick and easy beauty dish.

These tools may not be ideal for what you're trying to accomplish on your project. I mean -- if you're a professional and you show up on a commercial set with your Bag-o-Corn stabilizer, that might not inspire a whole lot of confidence in your clients. However, if you're shooting your own film, then the best tools are the tools that work.

What hacks have you come up with on the fly that are cheap/free? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: DigitalRev TV

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