Smartphone cameras can pack a lot of power in a little package, but only if you know how to get the most out of them. Conditions like low light can ruin a captured memory, and shaky hands can mess up hilarious videos. There are a lot of products you can buy to remedy these issues, but before you spend a hunk of cash on new gadgets, check out these DIY smartphone camera hacks. Before you know it, you’ll be taking professional quality photos and making unique videos.
1. Shooting stable, non-shaky video with a smart phone is tough, especially if you’re walking around while you shoot. If you’re tired of blurry, unstable video, you can make a DIY stabilizer rig like in the video below. This rig also has LED lights attached to brighten up low-light conditions indoors or at night. If you’re sick of grainy, dark, blurry videos, this project is for you.
2. A macro lens takes clear, super-close-up photos. You can make a macro lens for your smartphone using an old point-and-shoot film camera, some sticky tack, and a piece of cardboard.
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Remove the lens by taking apart the old camera. Don’t have an old camera at home? You can also use the lens from a disposable camera.
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Put sticky tack around the lens and place it on the phone. Then cut a cardboard frame to keep it in place.
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The results are professional looking close-up images.
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3. Ever try to take an outdoor photo and the sun is too bright? Remedy this with a sun screen made of a coffee container. Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions.
4. If taking selfies with an outstretched arm has become too cumbersome for you, make a poor-man’s tripod with two binder clips.
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5. The coolest of these hacks is easily the egg timer, 360 degree time lapse tripod. Attaching an egg timer to a regular tripod, then attach your phone to the timer.
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Watch a tutorial on how to make this DIY gadget here. The footage will have to sped up in an editing software or an app, but should end up looking something like this…
Have these hacks inspired you to be more creative with your smartphone camera? I know they’ve inspired me. With so many fancy gadgets on the market, it’s easy to forget how much you can do with what you already have. Share this if you’re ready to get creative.
