The world is getting better and better for smartphone photographers. Now more than ever, capturing images in-the-moment has become a gateway to photographic exploration for nostalgic nomads and creative minds alike. Smartphones have allowed us all to explore creativity and imagine a world where anything is possible, so why not take it a step further? How? Get up close and personal with your subjects by using a macro lens for smartphone photographers! No, not one of those clip-on lens that costs a pretty penny at the tech store! Get your gadgets ready, you’re in for a life hack.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A cheap, zoom flashlight. You can pick up a flashlight fairly cheap at most stores, but make sure you are getting one with a focus feature.
- Some tech-safe tape. Try to use tape that is easy to remove and will not leave residue behind on your device. Electrical tape is best.
- Your smartphone or device, of course.
Check out this video from CrazyRussianHacker! He can show you how to do this in a matter of minutes, and the results are quite good, as well as his reactions.
Here’s what you do:
- Remove the cap from your cheap, zoomable flashlight. Disassemble and locate the zoom lens, which has a convex shape.
- Clean the lens off to ensure clarity in your pictures. You can now avoid smudging it further by holding it along its sides.
- Place over your rear-facing camera lens on your device. Make sure it is centered to the best of your ability.
- Secure using a tech-friendly tape, like electrical tape. This will ensure that the lens can be easily removed when not in use.
- Point, shoot, enjoy.
You can see from his video, and the test samples he gave, that this simple life hack is no joke. It works great, and might even work better with a top-of-the-line camera phone and a little polish. The best part, is that it works with video too! You may even be able to better the idea, by making the lens more portable with various objects, like clothes-pins, or other household objects.
So simple, and a fraction of the cost of those detachable macro lenses. Now, you can get up close and personal with your subjects when the moment is right. Often times, that moment comes when we are not expecting it. Don’t miss out on a great shot, when you could get it so easily. Now, you can play around with it. Try a fish-eye filter, or one of the many nifty filters that smartphones have today, in combination with your new macro lens. Go ahead, toot your own horn. It’s okay to feel like you accomplished something brilliant today.