DIYPhotography.net

How many of your devices are charged via USB? Probably your at least a smartphone, maybe a tablet, a GoPro, remotes, audio gear and the list goes on. Each of those devices have their own charger that most likely connects to a USB cable or ends with a micro USB connection.

Photographer JP Danko sent in this great tip about using a wall socket with an integrated USB charger. JP suggests using a Leviton T5630-W 2.1-Amp USB Charger but there are other brands out there. Here is JP's plan: Click to continue ›

It has been a long time since we had a good solid studio PVC build (pun intended), so I was quite thrilled when David Schöppe sent in this full body backdrop stand made from PVC

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I know that Flapjack sounds as far as possible from photography, but videographer Andy Bieber so cleverly made those into the most awesome grip ever!

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If you are moving big chunks of data around as part of your workflow, here is a neat solution. This is what I use here when dealing with lots of data and the need to archive raw material.

It is a Hard Drive Caddy (or hard drive dock) that attaches to the computer via a fast USB3, eSATA or a fire-wire connection. There are several advantages to using a dock vs. a portable drive which I am still using, mostly for when I have to move data outside the studio. Click to continue ›

Here is a DIY just the way we like it: 3 uses in one, easy to build, light weight and dirt cheap.

Tiffany Angeles shares a nice DIY she uses in her photography studio. It is a huge 4×8 reflector made from a 4×8 polystyrene insulation sheet. This is probably the biggest easy-off reflector you can find.

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Even if you are not a big fan of IKEA furniture, you have to admit they are a heaven for hacktographers.

Here is the latest IKEA idea from DIYP's Flickr community member Michele M. F.. Using the BOHOLMEN, a "Washing-up bowl and rinsing basket, white", as IKEA defines it, as an impromptu light tent, after "helping" it a bit with a dremel. Click to continue ›

It's been a long time since we had a good green screen tutorial here on DIYP, and Lars Lindstrom over at The Slanted Lens just came up with a pretty sweet tutorial on how to build a DIY green screen (also known as Chroma Key).

Aside the awesome car defying video, they also shared a few tips with the blog about lighting and shooting against a chroma key - DIY or not. More after the jump. Click to continue ›

One of the core elements of any studio or on location system is the light stand. Those enables you to place your light in three dimensional space (i.e. here, there, above the model, at face level and so on).

We have featured a few PVC light stands before but this is the first C-stand that we have encountered. Usually C-stands are used when you need a super stable solution as they are far more stable and heavier that regular light stands.

With respect to sturdiness, I am not sure that C-stands and PVC make a good pair, but this design by Alex Sokolsky was kinda unique and worth sharing. It uses a few PVC fittings with the core element made of 3 PVC Tees glued to 45 degree elbows. (

DIY PVC Light Stand via Alex Sokolsky] Click to continue ›

One of the easy ways to get interesting backdrop (at least for small objects) is to use textured papers. They come in small enough packaging to be comfortable to handle and the texture allows for some interesting play with light.

Photographer Mo Bius shared a test shoot with such papers as a photography exercise. I think the results are interesting. (Note that the actual tea pot is flagged from the strobe in all the setups and is lit separately in the final picture) Click to continue ›

This little video is quite an interesting submission to our How I took it contest by Julien Robitaille.

There are only 2 weeks left to submit your entries, so don't wait for the last minute.

The video after the jump shows how a gathering of various stuff found around the house (or garage) can be re-purposed to be a video/tether dolly. While I am not sure about the saving on this build, it does show a few interesting uses for aluminum plates, surveying tripods, and the useful four heads tripod accessory from Manfrotto.

Actually, I've been getting quite a few submission about re-purposing surveying tripods . Since they don't belong in the 'photography' section they are a great value for not a lot of money. Click to continue ›