The term “special effects” usually conjures up images of green screens, computer-generated visuals and painstaking post-processing. And while some effects really do require all of the above, there are plenty of other, more subtle visual effects you can create using only your camera and a few accessories.

In this tutorial, SLR Lounge’s Pye Jirsa shows you several tricks for using a bridal veil to create light leaks, lens flares and other effects, all done in camera.

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Key takeaways:

• Keep your camera on a tripod. You’ll want it as stable as possible to pull off this effect.
• Position subjects so that they’re backlit. You don’t want the light directly behind your subject, but rather hitting your camera lens at something of angle. (Speaking of lenses, Jirsa is shooting with a 24mm prime lens.)
• Shoot wide open, since it will help exaggerate the light leaks. Jirsa says he’s at f/1.4 with a shutter speed of 1/800 sec. Also, once you have your focus set, Jirsa advises that you either lock it or switch to manual focus so the camera’s AF system doesn’t switch things up on your unexpectedly.
• Pull the bridal veil completely over your lens. (Any sheer piece of fabric will also do.) With the fabric in place, you’ll get a huge amount of flare and light leakage. Then, you can use your hand to shade the lens and introduce shadows simply by spreading and moving your fingers. The shadows will actually help bring out details in the photo that would otherwise be lost to flare.

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