Do you remember your first photo taken with a camera, when you only had one chance to make it right and could never predict the printed result which often ended up with red eyes, awkward face, or messy hair? Or your first selfie with a phone of such awful quality you could barely spot the features? Now look at your Instagram feed - we‘ve come so far! And I am not just talking about technology, we have so much inspiration around us – it‘s overwhelming. Photography is no longer for preserving memories as it used to be, it‘s about making the memories while taking beautiful photos, sharing, popularity, art... you name it.
Social media is packed with amazing photos, and although sometimes there is a team of professional photographers, make-up artists, stylists, and loads of photo editing behind those images, there is another side to the story. Many photographers invite us to the behind the scenes of their perfect shots proving that it’s achievable to most of us with very minimal resources and even in the most unexpected locations as we’ve previously shared on Bored Panda here and here.
In the constant battle for attention and hunting for ‘likes’ on social media, is it smart to reveal what makes your Instagram photos so flawless, you ask? Well, it definitely works for a Mexican photographer Omah, who has gained over 100k followers eager to find out how to step up their Instagram game. Even though he is a professional photographer, the photography tips and hacks he reveals with his photos are utterly motivating – it’s possible to capture an eye-catching Instagram-worthy shot with lots of creativity and a little bit of Photoshop magic. No one has to know that your stunning picture was taken in the public bathroom, a parking lot outside your office, or, a true classic, in front of a screen – and this is what actually makes it impressive.
You can’t fully trust what you see on the Internet, take a look at this enlightening series of behind-the-scenes by Omah to find out why and learn some tips and tricks about how to easily shine on your social media.
#1
"I trusted more than 100 thousand pesos to a cheap plastic case to be able to make this picture… was it worth it or was it stupid?" says Omahi. Well, if your photo looks like a movie poster or the cover of a best-seller, we say – totally worth it.
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142points
#2
If you've been binge-watching your favorite shows on Netflix, you might need to take a short break. Meanwhile, you can use the TV to take a futuristic photo. The possibilities are endless!
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118points
#3
You can take advantage of any given weather condition when taking a photo, but try to go the extra mile to achieve a romantic movie-worthy shot. There is no such thing as bad weather if you're creative enough.
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118points
#4
Just over 3 hours of attempts and dozens of burnt pages – the romantic shot is done. It is in fact possible to take a breathtaking picture even for non-professionals, no one said it's always quick and effortless.
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113points
#5
Even the weirdest and the simplest of locations can be transformed into majestic backgrounds if you are creative enough. You get some extra points for being able to create your own scenography out of things you find in your daily life.
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101points
#6
With a true classic – a screen as a background, you can teleport to anywhere in the world. I don't encourage lying to your followers about your location, but if you like deserts and don't live close to one, why don't you just bring the desert to your house?
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97points
#7
Sometimes the behind-the-scenes are close to what we see in a final picture, and it's both fascinating and frightening. Especially, when the photographer clearly has a thing for fire. Needless to say, the photo is amazing, but don't try this at home.
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86points
#8
Sometimes creativity and the friend's helping hand is worth more than expensive professional equipment. Spiced up with a little Photoshop magic – it's a mesmerizing profile photo!
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81points
#9
We look for a perfect location to take the perfect shot, but not everyone can find themselves on a beach or enchanting forest on a regular basis. Who said you couldn't make a good and captivating picture in a public bathroom? Imagine all the possibilities you've missed!
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75points
#10
If you are not a professional photographer and don't own luxurious equipment that costs thousands of dollars, a flash on a phone and the closest area with an artsy vibe is a way to go! This abandoned factory smelled of urine, and this is why we sometimes appreciate that photos don't convey scents, but they can definitely evoke imagined smell, and I am truly sorry for this!
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71points
#11
When you have a clear vision in your head and a set of minimal skills, a simple park becomes the best scenario for a dreamy photo shoot. Confused looks of people passing by in the park will mean nothing compared to impressed followers.
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70points
#12
Some days nothing goes according to plan – your tripod breaks and the weather doesn't want to participate in your fabulous idea. On these days, you just have to improvise.
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69points
#13
Sometimes looking for the perfect angle takes you to strange places. This is the uncolored truth behind photography – it's sometimes dirty, smelly and physically challenging. How far would you go for a stunning shot?
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58points
#14
This one could easily be featured in a collection of mind-bending photo manipulations. Omahi lost 10 dollars for destroying the statue of liberty but, in most cases, it's the destiny of all props.
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53points
#15
Some people will see it as an abandoned dusty place, others will see the ugly vandalism, but only the most creative ones will spot a perfect place for a photo shoot and get inspired. Seeing the beauty in the unexpected is a true talent.
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51points
#16
Wish to create a winter wonderland in the middle of summer? Not a problem at all! A creative approach and few basic essentials will transform a local park into dreamlike scenery and leave everyone wondering if you took a getaway up North recently.
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50points
#17
A fire extinguisher in this photographer's house is a must. Although his obsession with fire makes for some mesmerizing images, we can't help holding our breath each time he reveals the behind-the-scenes.
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50points
#18
Capturing movement in photos is a serious challenge, especially when people are passing by your performance on the street. But when the result is becoming a real-life fruit ninja – it's totally worth the effort.
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45points
#19
Love has no barriers, and neither does this photographer's imagination and clever ways of bringing it to life.
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45points
#20
Implementing different scenarios for a photo shoot may come handy in other aspects of life. For this picture, the photographer had to learn how to make a torch. A skill he will be able to use when camping in the dark or the next time he comes up with a crazy idea like this.
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43points