Quick Tip: Use sticky page markers to simulate light leaks on your digital camera

This quick tip comes courtesy of Ireland-based photographer Maciej Pietuszyński. It’s a simple and easy way to get a film light leak style effect in-camera with digital. All you need is your camera, a lens and a few sticky page markers.

Maciej uses this technique to good effect, as can be seen above, and he always keeps a few of the page markers in his bag for when the mood strikes. He uses them with his Micro Four Thirds camera, and says that if you’re shooting APS-C or full frame, then you’ll probably need to get some bigger markers or other colourful transparent material to get a similar effect.

Creating such effects practically can be a lot of fun, as you’re never entirely sure what you’re going to get when you hit the shutter. Sure, you might get more control faking it in Photoshop, but sometimes doing these things in-camera can present you with some nice surprises.

Depending on how you position the markers in front of the lens, you can make the effect as strong or as subtle as you like.

If you want to follow Maciej’s work, be sure to check out his new Facebook page.