Thrifty Thursdays FYE
Apr 3, 2020 15:42:51 #
Seriously folks!
I really do enjoy improvising rigs and setups using scrap materials, cheap stuff, common household gadgets, and whatever else I come across in my travels. Oftentimes my cheap contraptions work better than the stuff I spend lots of money on in camera stores.
Sometimes I order theses "Good Foods" package deals online. They send you an ice-packed box with ingredients for a certain recipe- you cook it up without having to shop for all the components. The cardboard/foil packing material makes for the most efficient reflectors I have ever used. I saved up a bunch and asked some of my neighbors to save theirs for me. By "feathering" the reflectors, I can get hard of soft light. I use it for tabletop product shooting and I have enough to make a few 4' x 8" panels. I attached some to a gooseneck rig on an old "head screen" gobo.
I am saving tons of money on those pesky "AA" batteries and bothersome rechargeables for my speedlights.
I bought a 6 Volt Gell-Cell at my battery supplier, made a substitute battery insert out of plastic rod stock- you can also use wooden dowels and wired it up. The battery lives in a cheap case form an old point-and-shoot camera and can hang on my shoulder or belt. The charger was $25. The battery costs $35. and lasts about 5 years. I get hundreds of full-power flashes per charge, never have to fuss with batteries when shooting, the case was free- someone gave it to me. he recycling time is more consistent and does not tend to increase after many flashes. The coiled cord came to form an old shaver. I haven't purchased any "AA" batteries for my speedlights in 10 years. I made 3 of those rigs.
Nescafe economy size coffee tins are great snoots- no extra charge for the lid for User ID's concept.
Some clients are too "cheap" and don't budget for an assistant so my clamp/clip collection is my second set of hands. I raid surplus stores, charity shops, "dollar stores" and wherever for all kinds of paper clips, clothespins, spring-loaded fridge magnets, and cheap gluing clamps. Theses are invaluable for all kinds of table-tops setups, supporting all kinds of items and props, holding the small reflector and mirrors in place, clipping gels and gobos in front of lights, and keeping wires out of the way. My favorite is the double clip- that came for a camera shop!
My favorite "MacGuiver accessory" is a camera store item- if you can find USED cheap ones- OLD LARSON REFLECTASOL CLAMPS! I have at least a dozen of them and many parts from damaged ones. With a few of theses, you can rig or adapt up just about anything to everything- lights, reflectors, umbrellas, inside large softboxes. you can build sets, and make small boom rigs. Google- Rube Goldberg!
I really do enjoy improvising rigs and setups using scrap materials, cheap stuff, common household gadgets, and whatever else I come across in my travels. Oftentimes my cheap contraptions work better than the stuff I spend lots of money on in camera stores.
Sometimes I order theses "Good Foods" package deals online. They send you an ice-packed box with ingredients for a certain recipe- you cook it up without having to shop for all the components. The cardboard/foil packing material makes for the most efficient reflectors I have ever used. I saved up a bunch and asked some of my neighbors to save theirs for me. By "feathering" the reflectors, I can get hard of soft light. I use it for tabletop product shooting and I have enough to make a few 4' x 8" panels. I attached some to a gooseneck rig on an old "head screen" gobo.
I am saving tons of money on those pesky "AA" batteries and bothersome rechargeables for my speedlights.
I bought a 6 Volt Gell-Cell at my battery supplier, made a substitute battery insert out of plastic rod stock- you can also use wooden dowels and wired it up. The battery lives in a cheap case form an old point-and-shoot camera and can hang on my shoulder or belt. The charger was $25. The battery costs $35. and lasts about 5 years. I get hundreds of full-power flashes per charge, never have to fuss with batteries when shooting, the case was free- someone gave it to me. he recycling time is more consistent and does not tend to increase after many flashes. The coiled cord came to form an old shaver. I haven't purchased any "AA" batteries for my speedlights in 10 years. I made 3 of those rigs.
Nescafe economy size coffee tins are great snoots- no extra charge for the lid for User ID's concept.
Some clients are too "cheap" and don't budget for an assistant so my clamp/clip collection is my second set of hands. I raid surplus stores, charity shops, "dollar stores" and wherever for all kinds of paper clips, clothespins, spring-loaded fridge magnets, and cheap gluing clamps. Theses are invaluable for all kinds of table-tops setups, supporting all kinds of items and props, holding the small reflector and mirrors in place, clipping gels and gobos in front of lights, and keeping wires out of the way. My favorite is the double clip- that came for a camera shop!
My favorite "MacGuiver accessory" is a camera store item- if you can find USED cheap ones- OLD LARSON REFLECTASOL CLAMPS! I have at least a dozen of them and many parts from damaged ones. With a few of theses, you can rig or adapt up just about anything to everything- lights, reflectors, umbrellas, inside large softboxes. you can build sets, and make small boom rigs. Google- Rube Goldberg!
Apr 4, 2020 03:01:39 #
foggypreacher
Loc: Dickinson, Texas
Linda From Maine wrote:
Old windows as frames. This one fits a 20x30 print almost perfectly.
You are so right, Linda.
I saw one the other day and decided i need to go to a place like a Habitat Re-Sale Store and buy several of them; or other resale outlets that have old windows for sale. I have been buy nice frames at senior resale outlets with decent photos or pictures just for the frames. Many are only $2 to $10 and are nice frames. It is the Yankee in me. I was born and raised in Kittery, Maine!
Apr 4, 2020 11:19:31 #
SqBear wrote:
Plastic soda straw that has the ability to "bend in any direction", (you know the little rings on the straw) that is if your Governor has not outlawed the "plastic" straws! Duct tape to lens and enjoy a new world of . . . ????
...the ability to periodically catch a refreshing cold drink while shooting on a hot day.
Apr 5, 2020 14:35:28 #
foggypreacher wrote:
You are so right, Linda.
I saw one the other day and decided i need to go to a place like a Habitat Re-Sale Store and buy several of them; or other resale outlets that have old windows for sale. I have been buy nice frames at senior resale outlets with decent photos or pictures just for the frames. Many are only $2 to $10 and are nice frames. It is the Yankee in me. I was born and raised in Kittery, Maine!
I saw one the other day and decided i need to go to a place like a Habitat Re-Sale Store and buy several of them; or other resale outlets that have old windows for sale. I have been buy nice frames at senior resale outlets with decent photos or pictures just for the frames. Many are only $2 to $10 and are nice frames. It is the Yankee in me. I was born and raised in Kittery, Maine!
Be careful, they used to use asbestos in the window putty.
Apr 5, 2020 16:05:07 #
clint f.
Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
kenvan40 wrote:
Be careful, they used to use asbestos in the window putty.
Possibly lead based paint also.
Apr 5, 2020 17:08:12 #
foggypreacher wrote:
You are so right, Linda.
I saw one the other day and decided i need to go to a place like a Habitat Re-Sale Store and buy several of them; or other resale outlets that have old windows for sale. I have been buy nice frames at senior resale outlets with decent photos or pictures just for the frames. Many are only $2 to $10 and are nice frames. It is the Yankee in me. I was born and raised in Kittery, Maine!
I saw one the other day and decided i need to go to a place like a Habitat Re-Sale Store and buy several of them; or other resale outlets that have old windows for sale. I have been buy nice frames at senior resale outlets with decent photos or pictures just for the frames. Many are only $2 to $10 and are nice frames. It is the Yankee in me. I was born and raised in Kittery, Maine!
Preacher,
I lived in Durham, Maine in the 1970s. Interested to hear of senior retail outlets. Have to check if there are any here in the Boston suburbs.
Best wishes,
Alan
Apr 5, 2020 17:10:12 #
clint f. wrote:
Possibly lead based paint also.
If it's an old window, the lead paint is virtually guaranteed. >Alan
Apr 5, 2020 19:32:17 #
Shall we discard all older artifacts and artworks containing arsenic, cadmium, goat piss, mercury, lead, etc etc ? Or maybe we should just refrain from eating them. Better we should value and maintain them since they become far worse threats if they end up in a landfill.
Apr 5, 2020 21:27:26 #
True that. Personally I prefer goat piss as my toxic substance. It has a certain ring to it. >Alan
Apr 6, 2020 00:09:03 #
clint f.
Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
User ID wrote:
Shall we discard all older artifacts and artworks containing arsenic, cadmium, goat piss, mercury, lead, etc etc ? Or maybe we should just refrain from eating them. Better we should value and maintain them since they become far worse threats if they end up in a landfill.
I’m going with don’t eat them. Some items are not worth saving but must be disposed of properly, lead paint being a prime example and why I brought it up.
Apr 6, 2020 08:55:49 #
foggypreacher
Loc: Dickinson, Texas
kenvan40 wrote:
Be careful, they used to use asbestos in the window putty.
Thank you, kenvan40, I will.
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