Quick Tip: Semi Improvised Sand Bags
A few days ago, I shared how I took photographs for an instructions manual.
There was lot of good feedback on that post and the subsequent session went much smoother with white sheets on the bottom.
One thing that I wanted to linger a bit on is the improvised sandbag that counter balanced the camera. (See circle 5).
Actually is not a sandbag - it is a gravel bag. I don't like sand, and an accident can cost in a nice afternoon of cleaning. I like fine gravel. Way more easy to handle and store.
So, that particular gravel bag that counter balances the camera on the picture below, is the bad I usually use to counter balance my strobe on a boom.
I use zip lock (and sometimes, a zip lock within a Ziploc) that can hold about 3 kilos of gravel (the one in the picture has two) and I use two A clamps to fasten it to the end of the boom.
There you have it, a 2 minutes sand gravel bag.
And just a reminder the Bokeh Masters Kit Fundraiser for kids with cameras is stil running, today is your last chance to win one of the only 5 in the world kits that fit a 24-70mm lens
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Comments
Make it pretty
You could use aquarium gravel to make it pretty!
Re Make it Pretty
Taking Jame's suggestion one step futher how about M&Ms?
You know it makes sense.
Just make sure you don't get tempted during the photo shoot.
re: M&Ms
We did try that once, on a model shoot. things did not look pretty. ;)
duh
I don't know why I never thought of gravel. I was going to use BBs in a canvas bag, but gravel, even the expensive aquarium stuff has got to be much cheaper, and almost as heavy.
At last
... a decent use for (clean) cat litter
Great idea
That's a great idea, and very easy to throw together on the fly.
Thanks
Semi Improvised Sand Bags
Wow seeing the setup...that's brave man, I don't dare to do this. I'm using my wife's weight-disc's that she uses for her fitness excerises, fastenend to a keycord to counterbalance my 1.50m octabox.
Sand / Gravel Bags, DIY
Put some all-purpose covers on those Ziplocs that help you use them on light stands or on a tripod.
http://boultoncreek.blogspot.com/2007/10/more-cheapness.html
Water bags
I use water bottles, or plastic milk cartons filled with water, recyleble and water is the cheepest.
Husky Document Pouches
You could also manly them up a little and put the plastic bag full of gravel inside a Husky Tool company document pouch
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xmi/R-202018029/h_d2/ProductDispl...
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