18
Technique S AV E M O N E Y
Beanbag
Ian Pack (www.packshots.biz)
‘To make a DIY beanbag, you can use dried beans from a supermarket, but the
beans could rot or even germinate when wet, so I recommend ceramic baking
beads in a plastic bag. Reinforce the edges of the bag with Gaffer tape to prevent
splitting. When placed on an uneven surface, the beanbag shapes to the surface
of the camera and provides a stable platform to steady the camera for long
exposures or low-down perspective shots. I use a microfibre cloth between the
beanbag and camera to reduce damage to the plastic bag. You could also sew
two microfibre cloths together to make a beanbag.’
Make a hide
Sue Dall
Sue Dall on Facebook
says: ‘You don’t need to
spend a fortune when
photographing birds. I’ve
just made a bird hide out of
the cardboard packaging
for a fridge. I’ve cut two
flaps in it and it’s working
a treat for garden birds.’White Ripstop nylon
Ian Pack (www.packshots.biz)
‘White Ripstop nylon is used for making
kites, etc. It’s available online and from
high-street fabric shops and makes a
perfect diffuser. In the studio I use it
clamped to a boom extended with a
length of PVC plumbers waste pipe,
and on location a frame made from
plumbers waste pipe to diffuse either
hard direct sunlight or flash. It’s priced
between £1.39 and £3.79 per metre.’Look after your kit
Michael Topham, AP Reviews Editor
Our Reviews Editor and camera-kit expert Michael Topham
advises you to take care of your kit and store all the original
boxes it came in. ‘Usually you can get more money for them
when reselling if you have the original packaging and box.’© AVALON/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP VIA GETT Y IMAGES
© CL AIRE GILLO
© IAN PACK
© IAN PACK
© IAN PACK