Unconventional Tools of the Trade

sanjuan · 10-10-2006, 11:25 PM

Ahoy there everyone!
I was wondering what sort of not-so-traditional equipment have you used in the past to help take your shots? The only ones that I have been able to think of, thus far are wax paper (For softening up/diffusing flash) and a beanbag (As a makeshift "tripod"). I've always been fascinated by the Macgyver complex, being able to solve solutions using simple things and wanted to see if it can be applied to convention shooting.
Thanks

jtnishi · 10-11-2006, 02:51 AM

Well, I did use some fancy decorative gauze or something like that as a wedding as a diffuser for my flash, but given that I've heard people use tissue for that type of stuff, I'm pretty sure I'm well out of the MacGuyver range. :P

From a website I had read, I had hoped that a cellphone handsfree wired set would work properly as a wired remote for my XT, but it hasn't liked it yet. Still need to test if people in shiny outfits would make proper reflectors, though. Ziggy, any luck testing that with your Zack outfit? XD

Sleepy · 10-11-2006, 03:22 AM

Folded lense paper taped over my flash to soften the output.

ZiggyB · 10-11-2006, 09:51 PM

jtnishi: Hahaha, no not yet. I think it would be too distracting honestly. ;-)

shiroin · 10-15-2006, 03:17 PM

How does this sound, three external flashes at different levels of output (each has a difference of 1/3 stops) to created a nice balanced and smooth lighting?

Fancy Frontier 8
July 29, 2006
National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Nikon D2Xs
AF-S VR Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8G
Nikon SB-800 X 2
Nikon SB-600

Another time a girl volunteered to do off camera flash for me ^^

Comic World Taiwan 13
August 13, 2006
National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Nikon D2Xs
Tamrom AF 28-75 XR Di F/2.8D
Nikon SB-800 X 2

staereo · 10-15-2006, 04:26 PM

I *think* the OP meant non traditional tools, as in equipment that is not usually associated with photography. Although, I am always open to having a technique based thread too!

Bruce

Trelyon · 10-16-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjuan

Ahoy there everyone!
I was wondering what sort of not-so-traditional equipment have you used in the past to help take your shots? The only ones that I have been able to think of, thus far are wax paper (For softening up/diffusing flash) and a beanbag (As a makeshift "tripod"). I've always been fascinated by the Macgyver complex, being able to solve solutions using simple things and wanted to see if it can be applied to convention shooting.
Thanks

my pro works are taking pixs of volleyball games... i used woodworking clamps to attach my cam to the high ref's platform... and cheap plastic bug deflector to protect the set-up from 100+ mph balls... not very Macgyverish... but it works

at cosplay con... since 65% cosplayers are female... i use my g/f to make the cosplayers feel less neverous in front of the camera... ::evil grins:: most of the time i'm in cosplay as well that seem to help

Fighterspledge · 10-17-2006, 12:54 AM

I think your g/f would give you a hard time if she knew that you called her a tool haha. ^^

sanjuan · 11-01-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fighterspledge

I think your g/f would give you a hard time if she knew that you called her a tool haha. ^^

One must tap all his resources to yield maximum output

Trelyon, I used to work at a hockey arena and during my breaks I would try to get some shots of the action. Mind you I didn't get to use wood, but I did have rocks to keep the camera in place XD

Shiroin, the extra flash addons make your camera look like something out of a sci-fi movie

really cool! How did the photographs turn out?

Efecss · 11-03-2006, 01:17 AM

One thing that no one has mentioned...

DUCT TAPE.

But, I have been also been using a tape measure sometimes to measure distances.

staereo · 11-03-2006, 06:37 AM

duct tape, also gaffers tape I find to be used even more, and sometimes even drafting tape if im in a pinch

djaxle · 11-04-2006, 08:52 AM

Rope. I tied up the legs of the tripod with the camera on it, lowered it down into a hole, with it ready to take a photo to see what was underneath the large metal plate.

kojirojames2004 · 11-04-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staereo

"Duct tape, also gaffers tape I find to be used even more, and sometimes even drafting tape if im in a pinch."

I think Duct tape and gaffer's tape are one in the same IIRC. In NASCAR, they also call it 200 mile per hour tape.

staereo · 11-04-2006, 05:20 PM

No, gaffers tape doesn't damage surfaces the way duct tape can when you pull it off. ^^

sanjuan · 11-07-2006, 09:08 PM

Oh Duct tape, it should belong in the tool-box, backpack or purse of every man, woman and child!

10-10-2006, 11:25 PM	#1
sanjuan For Hire Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 100	Unconventional Tools of the Trade Ahoy there everyone! I was wondering what sort of not-so-traditional equipment have you used in the past to help take your shots? The only ones that I have been able to think of, thus far are wax paper (For softening up/diffusing flash) and a beanbag (As a makeshift "tripod"). I've always been fascinated by the Macgyver complex, being able to solve solutions using simple things and wanted to see if it can be applied to convention shooting. Thanks __________________ www.bsanjuan.artician.com See the world through my lens.

10-11-2006, 02:51 AM	#2
jtnishi CREEPY PHOTOGRAPHER #1146 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 452	Well, I did use some fancy decorative gauze or something like that as a wedding as a diffuser for my flash, but given that I've heard people use tissue for that type of stuff, I'm pretty sure I'm well out of the MacGuyver range. :P From a website I had read, I had hoped that a cellphone handsfree wired set would work properly as a wired remote for my XT, but it hasn't liked it yet. Still need to test if people in shiny outfits would make proper reflectors, though. Ziggy, any luck testing that with your Zack outfit? XD __________________ ~Jason http://i360.com

10-11-2006, 03:22 AM	#3
Sleepy Reticent Man Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 77	Folded lense paper taped over my flash to soften the output. __________________ Never stop learning.

10-15-2006, 03:17 PM	#5
shiroin Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,023	How does this sound, three external flashes at different levels of output (each has a difference of 1/3 stops) to created a nice balanced and smooth lighting? Fancy Frontier 8 July 29, 2006 National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Nikon D2Xs AF-S VR Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8G Nikon SB-800 X 2 Nikon SB-600 Another time a girl volunteered to do off camera flash for me ^^ Comic World Taiwan 13 August 13, 2006 National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Nikon D2Xs Tamrom AF 28-75 XR Di F/2.8D Nikon SB-800 X 2 Last edited by shiroin : 10-15-2006 at 03:25 PM.

10-15-2006, 04:26 PM	#6
staereo Little fish ISO big pond. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,014	I think the OP meant non traditional tools, as in equipment that is not usually associated with photography. Although, I am always open to having a technique based thread too! Bruce __________________ Bruce OBryan Photography My Website (Currently being updated... Still.)

10-11-2006, 09:51 PM	#4
ZiggyB Registered User The Fuzz Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,028	jtnishi: Hahaha, no not yet. I think it would be too distracting honestly. ;-)

10-17-2006, 12:54 AM	#8
Fighterspledge Unload, reload, repeat... Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 332	I think your g/f would give you a hard time if she knew that you called her a tool haha. ^^ __________________ For those I love, I will sacrifice. Fighterspledge! Look! The sig is a link too!

11-03-2006, 01:17 AM	#10
Efecss Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,379	One thing that no one has mentioned... DUCT TAPE. But, I have been also been using a tape measure sometimes to measure distances. __________________ Reality is for those who cannot handle Science Fiction and Anime

11-03-2006, 06:37 AM	#11
staereo Little fish ISO big pond. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,014	duct tape, also gaffers tape I find to be used even more, and sometimes even drafting tape if im in a pinch __________________ Bruce OBryan Photography My Website (Currently being updated... Still.)

11-04-2006, 08:52 AM	#12
djaxle Which way to the Chapp'ai Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320	Rope. I tied up the legs of the tripod with the camera on it, lowered it down into a hole, with it ready to take a photo to see what was underneath the large metal plate. __________________ Alex -- Playing in the Unknown http://www.alcsnet.com/

11-04-2006, 05:20 PM	#14
staereo Little fish ISO big pond. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,014	No, gaffers tape doesn't damage surfaces the way duct tape can when you pull it off. ^^ __________________ Bruce OBryan Photography My Website (Currently being updated... Still.)

11-07-2006, 09:08 PM	#15
sanjuan For Hire Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 100	Oh Duct tape, it should belong in the tool-box, backpack or purse of every man, woman and child! __________________ www.bsanjuan.artician.com See the world through my lens.

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