DIY in-camera treatments

Start with a ‘dreamy’ blur effect created with the aid of a kitchen cupboard staple

You can apply effects such as texture, grain and a vintage colour palette in editing software, but it can be rewarding to experiment and take an in-camera DIY approach. For example, you can achieve a soft, hazy look by simply breathing on the front element of the lens and taking shots as the moisture evaporates.

To create selective areas of blur and sharpness, try dabbing Vaseline onto part of a clear filter. A less messy option, as shown here, is to simply wrap some clingfilm over the front of the lens. You can tailor the effect by leaving a gap where you want elements of the picture to be sharp, and by feathering the film around the edge to provide the blur.

After Use a relatively wide aperture (Marcus used f/5.6 here) to avoid too much definition in the film. To increase the density of the blur in specific areas, fold the film over itself and leave it loose rather than pulling it taut.

Before