6 DIY Camera Tricks You Can Do with Stuff from Home

Want to stabilize your camera or add a unique filter to a shot? Everything you need is right at home.

There are so many things in your house right now that can help make your films and videos look amazing and creative and you might not even know it. From rubber bands to the braided leather belt you haven't worn since your eighth grade graduation, everyday supplies can be used to create interesting in-camera effects, which could end up saving you a ton of cash in the long run. In this video, Olivier Schmitt shows you six camera hacks you can pull off right now with stuff from home. Check it out below:

You might be familiar with a couple of these, like the "belt stabilizer" and "tape-colored-with-a-Sharpie filter," but chances are you found at least a few that you haven't come across yet. 

Personally, I'm all about the follow focus hack, because those things can be crazy expensive even without all of the cool wireless features. All you need to do is wrap a rubber band around the focus ring on your lens, stick your pencil between the rubber band, give it a twist, and bam! You've got yourself a totally free and functional follow focus.

Here are the other camera hacks mentioned in the video: 

  • Give your shot a vintage feel by shooting through an old disposable camera.
  • Put some tape across your lens to add rain drop effects or colorful filters.
  • Use your belt as a makeshift camera stabilizer.
  • Put some Christmas lights near your lens to create beautiful bokeh balls.
  • A rubber band and a pencil make a pretty decent follow focus.
  • Tiny linked rubber bands can be used to create interesting "light leak" effects.

What are some other camera hacks and tricks you can pull off with stuff lying around the house? Let us know in the comments below!     

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Your Comment

6 Comments

Creativity is the ultimate term.
Thank you so much.

June 13, 2017 at 12:03AM

21
Reply
avatar
Sameir Ali
Director of Photography
1638

i just love this stuff !!

June 13, 2017 at 7:12AM

37
Reply

What did they use to get the raindrops on the tape?

This opened up some ideas for filters in the future. Thanks!

June 13, 2017 at 7:48AM

0
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RJ Ortiz
Cinematographer
352

I don't think the rain drops are actually on the tape, they are to in focus. The rain drops are still on the window in front of the talent and the tape is just used for a blurring effect.
To have something in focus on your filter you would need a lens that had a minimum focus measured in mm.

June 13, 2017 at 3:09PM

0
Reply
Timothy Cook
Self employed storyteller.
321

Fyi most of those tricks can be easily replicate and better controled into photoshop, but for amateur it can be a good way to have fun with your camera.

June 15, 2017 at 3:19AM

18
Reply
AvdS
1435

We are close enough to have the roblox hack at http://pokemongohacker.net/roblox/ and this what anybody would love to have when they need the hack for robux.

July 19, 2017 at 3:13AM

9
Reply
jenny
162