Inexpensive and DIY Photography Gear Solutions
Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, there's no getting around the fact that photography gear can be expensive. Join our own Larry Becker as he shares all kinds of cool ways you can save money on a wide range of photographic accessories. Larry is always thinking of clever alternatives to conventional gear and do-it-yourself ways to make the things you need at a much lower cost. Sometimes we can save money just by learning from the cautionary tales told by our peers. In this class Larry has gathered up a ton of his favorite tips, tricks, and projects to help you find low cost solutions for things all photographers need and use. By the end of the class you’ll be ready to head out to your local hardware store and start experimenting with your own solutions and alternatives, so that you’ll have more money to spend on the important things.
Release Date: 2016-04-20
Lessons
Introduction
Join Larry as he introduces the class and discusses what will be covered in the lessons that follow.
Duration: 1 mins 16 seconds
Speedlight Tips
From a low cost case alternative to some money saving tips for speedlight accessories.
Duration: 2 mins 51 seconds
Upgrading Your Speedlights
If your speedlights lack a PC sync port or optical slave function you can purchase after market accessories to upgrade your flashes.
Duration: 2 mins 11 seconds
Battery Options
If you use speedlights then you also use batteries. Larry shares a number of tips to help you get the most out of your battery options.
Duration: 2 mins 39 seconds
Making a Modeling Light for Speedlights
Most speedlights don’t have a modeling light to help you determine where the shadows are falling on your subject. Larry has a DIY way to create a modeling light of your own.
Duration: 2 mins 29 seconds
The Most Versatile Light Modifier
If you had to get only one light modifier for your speedlight Larry has a recommendation for how to get the most out of this one modifier.
Duration: 2 mins 43 seconds
Sporting Goods Stores
Visiting used sporting good stores after each season is a great way to pick up low cost bag alternatives for your gear.
Duration: 0 mins 29 seconds
Inconspicuous Bags
A diaper bag is a great alternative for a camera bag if you want to fly under the radar and save some money.
Duration: 1 mins 43 seconds
Background Stand Holder
Here’s a great DIY alternative for making your own background stand holder.
Duration: 1 mins 50 seconds
Protective Padding
There are a number of low cost padding material you can use for adding additional padding to your bags.
Duration: 2 mins 6 seconds
Reflective Tape
Adding a little reflective colored tape can make it easier to spot your gear in a crowd or the dark.
Duration: 1 mins 47 seconds
Lens Creep Correction
If you have a lens that slips slightly when pointing the camera down, then you’ll love this cheap little tip.
Duration: 3 mins 49 seconds
Hoodman Hood Loupe Mod
A Hoodman Hood Loupe is great for increasing the visibility of your LCD, but Larry has a clever tip to make it more accessible.
Duration: 3 mins 37 seconds
Reflectors
A reflector is an incredibly useful tool, and Larry has a few options you should be aware of for adding to your kit.
Duration: 4 mins 4 seconds
Light Painting Tools
From flashlight tips to ways to modify your light Larry has some tips to help your light painting projects.
Duration: 5 mins 8 seconds
Traveling Golf Bag Containers
A hard shelled golf bag case can be an excellent case for your gear when traveling.
Duration: 2 mins 11 seconds
Fighting Condensation
From electrical heating pads to chemical hand warmers there are a few ways you can keep your gear from gathering condensation.
Duration: 1 mins 58 seconds
Constant Light Alternatives
There are a number of benefits to working with constant lights when working indoors, and here’s a great way to get started.
Duration: 2 mins 49 seconds
Lighting Up Your Bag
When working at night or in dark environments, Larry has a few tips to help you illuminate your bag so you can find your gear.
Duration: 1 mins 56 seconds
Compact Chairs
A small folding stool can be a handy item to keep with you for your own use or for posing your subjects.
Duration: 0 mins 57 seconds
Shop Smarter
Be aware of less than ethical camera gear companies that can take advantage of photographers with various schemes.
Duration: 3 mins 22 seconds
Keep Track of Your Gear
Using your smartphone’s video function is a simple way to record all of the gear you are packing so that you know you’ve got everything when you pack up for your return.
Duration: 0 mins 55 seconds
Shiny Surface
Here’s a cheaper alternative to glass or plexiglass for making a reflective surface for tabletop photography.
Duration: 2 mins 28 seconds
Cheap Wall Mount for a Speedlight
3M makes a product called a Command Hook that makes an easy and cheap way to temporarily mount your speedlight to a wall.
Duration: 1 mins 13 seconds
Corrugated Plastic
A visit to your local sign shop can be a great source of corrugated plastic that you can use for your own V-flats.
Duration: 2 mins 16 seconds
Alternative Use for a Boom Stand
Having an assistant to hold a reflector can be expensive. Here’s an alternative way to use a boom light stand to do the same job for less.
Duration: 1 mins 29 seconds
Portable Floor
A visit to your hardware store can get you a roll of tile board that makes for a great portable smooth white floor.
Duration: 2 mins 15 seconds
Wrap Up
Larry wraps up the class with some closing thoughts.
Duration: 0 mins 40 seconds