On each professional studio There is a lot of good branded lighting equipment. For those who engage in photography solely for self-expression and do not make money from it, purchasing such equipment will be an unbearable financial burden.

It's not as sad as it might seem. Enough quality lighting you can do it yourself. Sometimes it's enough just to look around or go to the nearest hardware store.

1.Multi-Super-SB-Ring Light

To create a Multi-Super-SB-Ring Light you will need several Speedlights. This design creates good all-round lighting. It is important to set up synchronization between all flashes.

2. Ring flash

The ring flash is very useful for close-up photography. Make it on our own very simple. For this you will need plastic bottle. The design is placed on the lens so that the flash on the camera illuminates the bottles. The light is scattered and spreads across the plastic and the entire structure turns into one large light source.

3. DIY photo box

Subject photography of small elements, household appliances, jewelry, mobile phones and utensils are often done on a white background. The devices seem to be in a white space that has neither a supporting surface nor boundaries on all sides. In fact, this is done in a photo box, which has light sources on all sides.

This design is easily made from paper or white matte plastic, household lighting sources and a light frame from scrap materials.

4. Reflector

It is quite simple to create such a reflector, and its efficiency is several times higher than the labor costs for creating this design. The usefulness of a reflector cannot be underestimated. For shooting at home or outdoors using one flash, this is an indispensable device. You can create different reflector configurations using white paper, plastic or foil.

5. Cup-shaped reflector

Reflectors in the shape of a hemisphere allow better concentration of the light beam. This opens up new possibilities for experimentation. This device is very simple to make. You will need a foil saucer, which is made for baking food in the oven. If you cannot buy such a dish nearby, you can make it yourself from baking foil, which is sold everywhere. By folding layers of foil and creating a hemispherical shape, you need to point-glue different places any suitable glue so that the structure does not delaminate. It won't turn out as beautiful, but it will still be functional.

6. Handmade Ghetto Flash Extender

A diffuser like this will make the light from the flash softer. It also does some dispersion. This design is suitable for both external and built-in flash.

7. Softbox design

Softboxes are designed to reduce the brightness of light and make it softer. There are many ways to create a softbox. Cardboard is usually used as a base. White paper or silk is attached to it with Velcro or glue. You can create different configurations and experiment with sizes.

8. Specific diffuser

The material you can use is plastic from a bottle of milk or kefir. Cutting out the template is very simple, so creating such an accessory will not cause any difficulties.

9. Cheap studio light

Such lighting can be purchased quite inexpensively, if, of course, you compare the cost of similar professional light sources. All equipment can be purchased for about $75. Diffusers and reflectors are created from scrap materials. This significantly reduces the cost of the entire set. Floodlights are the most expensive. The rest can be found in the garage or attic. For example, elements of old car headlights can be used as reflectors.

10. LED strip for ring flash

Another option for creating a ring flash is to use LED strip. The tape is attached to a plastic or cardboard frame. The only inconvenience is that you need to organize a separate power source for the LEDs.

All of the listed methods for creating lighting can be combined and experimented with shapes and sizes. Considering the cost of all equipment and materials, you can safely give free rein to your imagination. Perhaps you will become the owner of a unique light source, which will make your photographs unique and original.

Surely everyone loves to take pictures and shoot videos on a mobile phone. On modern smartphones rear cameras They allow you to take pretty good photographs, and frontal ones are a favorite among fans of self-portrait photography (the so-called selfie). Today in Chinese online stores You can find a huge number of different gadgets that improve the quality of photo and video shooting, make it more convenient when taking photographs from certain devices, etc. We decided to conduct research and find out what useful and relatively inexpensive items are available in Chinese online stores for photo and video shooting with mobile phones. All goods are delivered at the seller's expense, that is, they have free shipping.

Gopro Xiaomi Steadicam Stabilizer

The stabilizer allows you to compensate for camera shake. You've probably noticed how the image shakes when shooting video while moving. For example, if you shoot while walking, then every step will be reflected in the video - the frame will jump. The stabilizer allows you to make shooting smoother, without sharp transitions. The kit of this stabilizer includes both a mount for a regular camera and for an iPhone. There are also three weights with which you can adjust the movement of a smartphone or camera on the stabilizer. One of the disadvantages of this gadget is that it is quite heavy weight– 950 grams. Carry such a “bandura” in one hand for a long time it will be very problematic. Also, those who already use this gadget note that a lot of time is spent on adjusting the counterweights.

Price: 36,11$

By the way, if you still haven’t figured out how to shop on Aliexpress, be sure to read our instructions: How to buy and place an order on Aliexpress

Fisheye Lens

This gadget has removable attachments that allow you to shoot in macro mode, wide angle shooting and a fisheye lens. It is attached using a special clamp directly to the smartphone body. Moreover, smartphones can be different manufacturers: iPhone, Sony, Microsoft (old Nokia) and others. The Wide Angle Lens allows you to capture significantly more subjects from the same photographic distance. Particularly useful for panoramic nature photography. The Macro lens attachment improves the detail of the photographed object during macro photography (although this is barely noticeable from the seller’s photo). Of particular interest in this gadget is the Fisheye attachment. This is over wide angle lens with an image angle of 180 degrees or more. When photographing, a strong distortion of perspective occurs, which produces an image in the form of a circle in which the background appears further away than it actually is. This lens is more of a toy than real high-quality optics. But for three and a half dollars you can’t expect more from him.

Price: 3,49$

Lens with tripod for iPhone

This is an 8x zoom lens for mobile iPhone devices. The phone is inserted into a special holder and attached to a tripod. In principle, you can shoot without a tripod, since the lens weighs only 46 grams, but when shooting video, the image may shake a little. Minimum distance The image focusing distance is 3 meters, that is, when photographing at a distance of less than 3 meters, it is better to remove the lens. The 8x zoom allows you to take photographs at some distance from the subject, and even use the lens as a monocular. However, it is worth noting that at a great distance you will not be able to clearly see objects, so just watch passers-by from the window (and only if you do not live in some skyscraper). For eight and a penny dollars, this gadget allows you to get pretty good pictures of objects located at some distance from the photographer.

Price: 8,18$

Car endoscope

This gadget, of course, is not designed for photographing birds and butterflies, and you won’t be able to take a cool nightclub selfie with it, but it’s very useful device. The endoscope is designed to obtain images of objects located in hard-to-reach places. For example, you can use it to find out what is broken and requires repair under the hood of a car, where it is really difficult to get to without removing the engine and other parts. Or, for example, find an object that has rolled under a closet or bed. The endoscope is connected to mobile device, which then displays the image obtained from the endoscope. This endoscope is only compatible with devices running Android 4.0 or higher. The endoscope camera with a diameter of 7 mm, according to the manufacturer’s description, allows you to shoot video in a resolution of 640x480, as well as take photographs. There are 6 LEDs around the camera that give good lighting V dark places. The cord itself is 2 meters long, which should be enough to get to hard to reach places. The description notes that the endoscope is waterproof and could theoretically work underwater, but we have not tested this. The device can be useful for those who repair cars or often repair their own. Otherwise, there is no point in buying “just to play around”.

Price: 6,85$

Lens case for iPhone 6 and 6 plus

The case for iPhone 6 and 6 plus connects to the device via Bluetooth, and then photos are taken with one press of the case's red button. The case can be attached to the fisheye, macro and wide-angle lenses discussed earlier. It also protects the device from dust and dirt (it will not protect from water, so dropping it into the toilet or other water-filled containers is not recommended). Its cost is thirteen and a half dollars. For an additional price, you can also purchase the above lenses in one set with a case, but if you do the math, it is still more profitable to buy lenses separately.

Price: 13,30$

Qlippie wearable camera

The Qlippie wearable camera is equipped with 8-megapixel wide-angle 122-degree optics, capable of taking high-quality photographs and recording videos in HD and Full HD formats. She has small sizes 4.8x4.8x1.5 cm and weighs only 40 grams. You can attach it to your clothes using a clip, and thanks to the different colors, you can choose what suits your specific wardrobe. The internal memory capacity is 32GB, and the footage can be transferred to other mobile and computer devices using built-in WiFi module. This gadget can be useful for those who travel frequently, since you can set the 30-second photo mode, and every 30 seconds a photo will be taken of the place where the person is in this period time. Then, having collected all the photos together, you can create a photo report of your visits. According to the manufacturer, up to 5,000 such photos can be taken, and video in HD format can be shot for up to 12 hours. However, a 1000 mAh battery will last less than three hours of HD shooting, so it cannot shoot for 12 hours continuously. You can also reset data to your computer via USB cable, which comes with the camera.

Price: 129,69$

Monopod for self-portrait photography

Due to the growing number of fans of self-portrait photography (the so-called selfie), it became necessary to consider a monopod. This is a device familiar to many smartphone owners, which allows you to take photographs of yourself and your friends at arm’s length. This monopod has a telescopic structure (like, in principle, any other monopods) and can be extended to a length of 78 cm. When folded, it is 18 cm. The photo in the store shows how this monopod fits in a person’s pocket, “a little “looking out of it, but in practice, carrying this “thing” in your trouser pocket is very inconvenient. The monopod is suitable for any device that has a 3.5 mm headphone jack and runs Android 4.2 and higher, as well as iOS 5.0 and higher. The monopod costs less than five dollars.

Price: 4,6$

Selfie remote

To create self-portrait photos, you can, in principle, do without a monopod. To do this, just install your phone in some place, connect a remote control that works via Bluetooth 3.0 to it, and take a photo of yourself and your loved ones by simply pressing the remote control button. Although, of course, ideally, the remote control will not replace a monopod, since the smartphone will still have to be “attached” somewhere to take a photo. It only allows you to take a photo at a distance without direct contact with the smartphone. You shouldn't expect more for that kind of money. It is compatible with devices running Android and iOS OS. Powered by regular battery, similar to those, which are installed in wristwatches.

Price: 3,9$

Lens for iPhone 6 with tripod

This lens is suitable exclusively for iPhone 6 and 6 plus (as stated by the manufacturer, but you can try it with other devices). This is a 20x wide-angle lens that can significantly improve the quality of shooting on a smartphone camera. A convenient tripod is included for image stabilization. You can photograph objects at 20x zoom, for example, at a great distance from the object itself. This way you can take pictures or shoot videos of nature, take high-quality pictures at music and other concerts, etc. Someone will say: “Why do I need this lens, if it’s really better to shoot with a cool SLR camera, because the photos will be much better quality.” And this, in principle, will be a correct statement, but it is worth paying attention to one important point. Good lens for digital camera(assuming you have a DSLR and don’t need to buy it) costs from $500 and above, and this lens for iPhone 6 costs $59.99 - the difference is noticeable. Therefore, if a person has already spent $800 (or maybe more) on the purchase of an iPhone and does not intend to part with a similar amount again, then such a lens can be a good help for photographing with a smartphone.

Price: 59,99$

Lens case for underwater photography

For lovers of underwater photography, the Chinese have come up with a gadget that allows you to take photographs on the iPhone 6 without damaging the device by water. However, this is not just a waterproof case for a smartphone, since a photo taken with an iPhone camera through it would turn out blurry. It has a built-in wide-angle lens with an angle of 170 degrees, allowing you to take clear pictures of objects under water. The device is equipped with a special tripod, with which you can attach a “dressed” iPhone to an underwater mask. Thus, while swimming underwater, you can shoot video or take photos undersea world with its many inhabitants. On the side of the case there are two aluminum buttons (not corroded by salt water), with the help of which photographs are actually taken. This underwater gadget costs just under thirty dollars in an online store.

Since I am professionally engaged in product photography (read, I make a living), it would probably be right to talk about some devices for subject photography, which I have developed over the years.
I'll start with the simplest, but also the most useful. Then I will add to this article.

On the one hand, there is nothing secret about devices for subject photography. On the other hand, many beginning product photographers take photographs “on their knees” and information about special devices will make their life much easier.

This is what the assembled device itself looks like.

And here it is, but installed on a stand for photographic objects (of my design).

Separate parts of the structure.

I tried Chinese clamps - “cheap and rotten.” IN in this case used by Manfrotto, Italy.

Additionally, the heavy stand can be used as a floor stand. Those. to position the studio light source as low as possible. No other stand is capable of positioning the source so low, for example for background lighting.

To do this, in addition to a heavy stand, you will need a 3/8-¼ adapter to secure the device itself.

adapter 3/8-¼

The adapter is screwed into the base and voila - a floor stand for studio light. It can't get any lower.

Device 2 - articulated arm

If you look closely at the photo below, you will see that the black “flag” is held by the same “controlled hand”. These are several tubes with joints and fixation of connections. There may be a clamp at the end of such a “hard hand”. I prefer a steel clamp. It holds the reflectors the tightest.

Separate parts of the structure.

Using such a stand, the objects presented below were photographed.

Separate parts of the structure.

real jewelry wax

also jewelry wax, as jewelers themselves understand it

And here is the wax that is needed for product photography.

Wax allows you to stick your photographic subject to reverse side so that it does not roll or shift.

The devices described in this article are far from full list what a product photographer needs. I will add to the article in the future and will let you know when I update it.

Bonus

Swiss company brochures Foba, which produces devices for object photography.

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— Suspension systems
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— Studio tripods
— Tripod heads

"Controlled arms" / Articulated arms

Suspension systems

Combitubus systems (“ Flexible arms", heavy bases, clamps and stands)

Tables for product photography

Studio tripods

Tripod heads

How to make a fire show and photograph it beautifully.

DIY folding object table

A short article about making a portable folding stage table for a photographer

Hermobox for camera

Making a hermobox for a camera with your own hands

Homemade digital camera from an old camera

How to make a modern digital camera out of an old camera

Scanning old films and negatives

How to do homemade scanner negatives from the box and camera.

Xiaomi Yi Camera review

Not an expensive action camera with GoPro-like shooting quality.

Do-it-yourself digitization of films and slides

Technology for digitizing photographic films and slides at home

Simple homemade lightbox

How to make a lightbox for photography with your own hands.

DIY photo gun

Drawings and descriptions of how to make a photo gun with your own hands

Underwater world of the Red Sea

An article about underwater photography using an inexpensive soft underwater camera case

AriLight LED lighting

A useful device for shooting videos and photos. Recommended for video bloggers. Allows you to shoot at night.

DIY photo table

How to make a white cube photo table with your own hands

ABC of erotic photography

The ABC of erotic photography or an ironic guide for beginning photographers and fashion models.

Homemade box for underwater photography

How to make a simple underwater camera case from a glass jar.

I dedicate this review to devices for photography and videography that can be bought on Aliexpress. All photographers know that getting a good shot and taking a good angle is very difficult. Always getting in the way weather, tremere, lack of good light, etc., etc. And there are a lot of such factors. To reduce their influence, many designers come up with all kinds of devices for photographers and cameramen.

I presented in the review, in my opinion, interesting features, but don’t be shy - write comments, share your opinions with your friends

LIGHTBOX

Everything is visible in the picture. Light Lightbox is a portable mini photo studio for photographing small objects. Eat various variations and lightbox configurations. Very convenient thing Anyone who has tried to take photographs will understand. This is a real find for those who want to make their own online store with unique photographs. Also suitable for beginner photographers who work on order. The price of the lightbox is only 777 rubles –

A good camera is a very expensive thing. But a photographer or photojournalist has to shoot in any conditions. This wonderful camera case will protect it from rain, snow and dust. In cold weather, you can also warm your hands)) You can buy it on Aliexpress using the link below.

SHOOT waterproof monopod for GoPro camera

Monopod - this new word means only one thing - a tripod on one leg. The variety of these gadgets is amazing. I even wanted to do additional review about this theme. This monopod model is unique in that it is not telescopic (like many of its brothers), but folding. Plus she has three extra legs.

Easttowest 360 Wrist Strap for GoPro Camera

Video Gopro camera has become an indispensable attribute of all extreme sports enthusiasts and not only. Everyone is used to it being attached to the head, but it turns out that our inquisitive Chinese partners have come up with a mount that can be fixed to the forearm and hand

LENS FOCUS MOUNT

Another device that allows you to easily manipulate the lens. Simple, but very effective and you can buy it on Aliexpress for a few pennies.

Neewer Portable Camera System with Slider Mount

This is already a professional mount for cameras and video cameras. It allows you to work as comfortably as possible. Comfortable and soft shoulder pad, comfortable handles, a large number of settings - all this will allow you to do good shot and relieves the load, which significantly increases operating time.

This is a gadget, this is a gadget. Indeed an octopus. You will see how it can be attached to almost any surface. Flexible tripods can wrap around any branch or pipe and secure the camera in the place you need.

For me, this is just a cool invention and I don’t mind paying a thousand rubles for it. Just imagine the future possibilities with this flexible mini tripod!?

LENSPEN LP LENS CLEANING BRUSH HANDLE

Everything here is clear and simple, and at the same time very convenient and effective. Any lens, be it from a photo or video camera, must be kept in perfect cleanliness, otherwise you won’t get a great shot. This versatile brush will do the job easily and fit in your jacket or shirt pocket.

MANUAL STABILIZER FOR PHOTO AND VIDEO CAMERAS

Hand tremor (shaking) prevents you from taking a clear picture. The frame will be blurred and even if it is not visible to the naked eye, professionals will notice it immediately. That's why they shoot on a tripod. But there are times when a large, bulky tripod is simply not convenient. This device serves as a stabilizer and a manual tripod. To prevent your hand from getting tired, there is a mount for a counterweight. Cool invention and you can only buy it on Aliexpress.

BELT CAMERA MOUNT

Those who have at least once gone into the forest with a camera (for example) know how inconvenient it is to carry it with you. If you put it in a case, you may not have time to catch a good shot and many other things. This is a device for carrying a camera on a belt, which greatly simplifies movement. The camera can be removed in one motion and hung up just as quickly. See the online store for details.

UNIVERSAL MOUNT FOR PHOTO AND VIDEO SHOOTING