Hobbies And Interests
Bean Bag Tripod
A bean bag tripod is a cushion that can be used to steady a camera or lens for photography. Unlike a full-sized tripod, a beanbag has no legs. It is more lightweight and portable. It is quite literally a bag made of beans, packing peanuts or other stuffing. The bean bag tripod is similar in construction to the bean bag chair for which it is named. It can be placed on a supporting surface such as a rail or the hood of a car and cradles a camera during the photography process. To make a beanbag tripod, collect a bag of beans or rice and a sturdy length of fabric. Sew the fabric on three sides, and turn the fabric bag inside-out. Fill the cloth bag with beans, tuck the remaining fabric under and stitch the bag closed.
Plant Stand Dolly
A dolly is a rolling platform on which a tripod can be placed so that it will roll. In still photography, a dolly allows a photographer to pan without changing the position of the camera. One simple way to make a dolly is to purchase a rolling plant stand with casters for feet. Although this type of dolly would not be smooth enough to use for video photography, it is suitable for taking still pictures. Place your tripod on this stand and use it to roll. For a tripod with a larger base, purchase three separate plant stands and place one under each tripod foot.
Macro Photography Studio
A macro photography studio, also known as a tabletop studio, typically consists of a pop-up box made of tent fabric and a set of small-scale studio lights. The purpose of this type of set up is to control lighting for product shots or online auctions. You can create a homemade version of this with a long roll of white or colored paper and masking tape. Simply wait for a sunny day and take the roll of paper to a spot that receives constant shade, such as the side of a house. Tape the short end of the paper up against the side of the house. Unroll the paper to create a background with bright, muted, even light.