DIY stuff
03/21/2008 @ 06:10 PM Filed in:
Photography
For those with a do-it-yourself
attitude, here's a couple links that will help you along...
http://strobist.blogspot.com/
This one is also a great lighting resource and idea generator.
http://www.diyphotography.net/
Today I made a cardboard grid for a speedlight that actually turned out very good. Although I constructed mine a bit differently. Instead of using glue, I used scotch tape because I don't have any glue in my entire apartment (surprised me). To help reinforce it and minimize any twisting, I placed a small piece of cardboard on each ends (the ends that have the cuts). I then placed a long strip of cardboard on the same sides which allows me to attach the grid to the speedlight using velco straps. The connection isn't the most secure, but after a few hours of using it, it seems to work very well.
Several years ago when I bought my 100mm Macro lens (continues to be my favorite lens btw) I tried to construct a very simple table top studio using an old TV shelf, white foam core, and a few clamps that have suction cups attached to them. I haven't seen these clamps mentioned anywhere on the net (sites that have to do with photography and DIY) so I thought I'd mention them here. The clamp looks very similar to those used on the McClamp.
In the past two weeks I've used these clamps more than I've ever used them in the last 3-4 years I've owned them. I realized they are great providing a quick and easy way to attaching a black card or a reflector to a light stand, holding my backgrounds up on the wall (my wall is partial wall, partial window), and of course just holding things together for whatever purpose. I bought mine at Home Depot. I went there this past week in Redwood City, CA and couldn't find any more. But they may be out at this particular Home Depot location. They are made by a company named, Wolfcraft. After looking at their site, they no longer list this particular clamp (don't see any with a suction cup). But they appear to offer a similar clamp, just no suction cup. The reason I think they are so cool is they are small, light weight, don't put too much clamp force which is good in case you are dealing with delicate stuff, and I've found several uses for them in the studio.
I'm not entirely sure where to get the velco strips/straps I'm using. I was given 4 or 5 of them at work to tie up network cables. During the 4-5 years I had them I don't think I ever used them. They work great at holding my DIY grid and color filters my Canon speedlight and since they have no glue, they aren't permeant and thus they are reusable. I would guess you can find something similar at a office supply store, hardware store, or maybe a computer/electronics store.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/
This one is also a great lighting resource and idea generator.
http://www.diyphotography.net/
Today I made a cardboard grid for a speedlight that actually turned out very good. Although I constructed mine a bit differently. Instead of using glue, I used scotch tape because I don't have any glue in my entire apartment (surprised me). To help reinforce it and minimize any twisting, I placed a small piece of cardboard on each ends (the ends that have the cuts). I then placed a long strip of cardboard on the same sides which allows me to attach the grid to the speedlight using velco straps. The connection isn't the most secure, but after a few hours of using it, it seems to work very well.
Several years ago when I bought my 100mm Macro lens (continues to be my favorite lens btw) I tried to construct a very simple table top studio using an old TV shelf, white foam core, and a few clamps that have suction cups attached to them. I haven't seen these clamps mentioned anywhere on the net (sites that have to do with photography and DIY) so I thought I'd mention them here. The clamp looks very similar to those used on the McClamp.
In the past two weeks I've used these clamps more than I've ever used them in the last 3-4 years I've owned them. I realized they are great providing a quick and easy way to attaching a black card or a reflector to a light stand, holding my backgrounds up on the wall (my wall is partial wall, partial window), and of course just holding things together for whatever purpose. I bought mine at Home Depot. I went there this past week in Redwood City, CA and couldn't find any more. But they may be out at this particular Home Depot location. They are made by a company named, Wolfcraft. After looking at their site, they no longer list this particular clamp (don't see any with a suction cup). But they appear to offer a similar clamp, just no suction cup. The reason I think they are so cool is they are small, light weight, don't put too much clamp force which is good in case you are dealing with delicate stuff, and I've found several uses for them in the studio.
I'm not entirely sure where to get the velco strips/straps I'm using. I was given 4 or 5 of them at work to tie up network cables. During the 4-5 years I had them I don't think I ever used them. They work great at holding my DIY grid and color filters my Canon speedlight and since they have no glue, they aren't permeant and thus they are reusable. I would guess you can find something similar at a office supply store, hardware store, or maybe a computer/electronics store.
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