Photo How To

Some photographers fall into a rut by shooting the same type of images over and over again. For some that means landscape photos, for others it’s portraits, macro, wildlife, or whatever specialty they enjoy. The problem with this approach is it’s easy to get a bit stale.

One way to amp-up your creative juices if you’re a bit bored, is to try something fun and different. That’s what you’ll learn how to do in the quick video below, with five simple light hacks using stuff you likely have at home.

We refer to Jodi Koaltic as a “photo trickster” because he never runs out of unusual methods for creating images with a unique look. Today’s episode is all about creative lighting tricks that you can use over and over again in a variety of ways while shooting inside or outdoors.

This is a visual tutorial without dialogue, but Koalitic provides gear and exposure information in his captions so you’ll know exactly what to do. All you need is a willing model, and perhaps an assistant, and you’re good to go.

You’ll see how positioning a model in front of a TV or computer monitor, with a large fish bowl over her head, enables you to capture otherworldly photos. Another fanciful trick uses a purpose-built photo light tube to create some long-exposure magic. II you don’t own one of those, but your kid has a toy light saber, that will work too.

Another trick involve a bit of smoke, and pieces of a broken mirror on the ground, for making dramatic portraits from a low camera angle. And using the light tube or saber really accentuates the effect.

Koalitic also has tips for using sparklers, a drone, and a few other props. So watch the video, step outside your comfort zone, and take your creativity to the next level.

If you want more unique tips and tricks, all you have to do is head over to Koalitic’s YouTube channel.

And be sure to take a look at another tutorial we posted, explaining how to use a simple Photoshop “secret” for creating eye-catching outdoor photos.