A wild photography hack has been shared on Twitter, which could transform the way you take photos of objects. The ingenious technique, which involves a laptop, a mirror and a camera, blasts open any limitations the real world puts on your use of backgrounds, and the effect is totally magical.
Simply put an image you'd like to use as a background on fullscreen on the laptop (check copyright, of course – more on that later), set the object on top of a small mirror on the keypad and partially close the screen, tilting it towards the object. Then take a picture of the object (perhaps with one of the best camera phones), and the reflection will create a brilliant effect. See the video below for how to do it.
Since Jen Bartel shared the hack on Twitter with some gorgeous examples of the technique, she has received a bunch of super-creative responses, demonstrating exactly what's possible.
There are certain setups, which will give a better result, as some users found out, so be willing to experiment to find the best outcomes.
I think theirs is a slightly concave shaving mirror rather than a flat one.August 30, 2020
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Importantly, as one conscientious Twitter user pointed out, it's vital you check out any copyright and photo licensing limitations before you use an image. But there are some pretty awesome copyright free photos out there, such as NASA's photo library.
Great advice, and good news is NASA's photos are copyright free! https://t.co/jHmSZ7S5KWAugust 30, 2020
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We love to see creative uses of technology to create new effects, and this could be put to great use for many purposes. You could take it one step further and enhance the image in post-production (maybe by using some of the best photo editing apps or photo editing software) to really amp up the result. For more tips, see our guide to smartphone photography.
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Created something special using this technique? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
Georgia has worked on Creative Bloq since 2018, and has been the site's Editor since 2022. With a specialism in branding and design, Georgia is also Programme Director of CB's award scheme – the Brand Impact Awards. As well as immersing herself with the industry through attending events like Adobe Max and the D&AD Awards and steering the site's content streams, Georgia has an eye on new commercial opportunities and ensuring they reflect the needs and interests of creatives.
