Photo Products
Money Saving Tips for Photography Enthusiasts
Ideas for free or cheap alternatives to expensive photography kit for less than 5 ($10)
You don't always need to splash out on expensive camera equipment. These ideas could save you money on your photography kit.
1. Make your own soft-focus filter
Soft-focus filters can be used to create old-fashioned, romantic portraits, dreamy landscapes and so forth. Make your own by smearing a small amount of Vaseline onto an old skylight filter. Use a tiny blob to begin with and increase the amount to increase the softness. Leaving a clear spot in the centre will produce a blurred vignette effect while the centre of the image stays sharp.
Alternatively, for a variety of soft-focus effects experiment with cling film, sweet wrappers and, of course the classic black stocking - as used by celebrity portrait photographers.
2. Use free software
The latest editing software offers amazing features but it's surprising what you can do with the many free applications that you can download on the web.
Try the following:
Adobe Photoshop Album SE 3.2 - fix and organise your photos | Video guide to using Adobe Photoshop Album SE3.2
Corel MediaOne - photo sorting and sharing | Video guide to using Corel MediaOne
Google Picasa - photo sorting, fixing and sharing | Video guide to using Google Picassa
Kodak EasyShare - organise your photos, make small fixes and access online services | Video guide to using Kodak EasyShare
MAGIX Photo Manager 2007 - manage your digital photos, burn CDs and access online service | Video guide to using MAGIX Photo Manager 2007
Gimp - Image Manipulation Program
IrfanView - view, optimise and convert images | Video guide to using IrfanView
Serif PhotoPlus 6
Picturenaut 2.12 - create composite images with a high dynamic range (HDR imaging) | Video guide to using Picturenaut 2.12
3. Make your own reflector
If it's too harsh, scrunching the foil and flattening it back will soften the reflected light.
Alternatively, white card or a white table cloth or bed sheet makes a good soft reflector, and black card or fabric can be used to cast shadows back to the subject.
4. Make your own flash diffuser
Make your own flash diffuser with nothing more than a light tissue over the flash head. Or tilt the bounce head upwards and tape a piece of white card behind it (like a scoop) to create a bounce diffuser.
If you're a milk drinker those translucent plastic cartons can be adapted to make a great softbox.
Cut a small aperture in the top just big enough to insert the head into.
Point the head directly forward or tilt it up (though you may want to put some foil or white card on the back to stop light spilling out the back.
5. Buy second-hand
You can save a packet by buying your next piece of kit second-hand. Whether on eBay, your local free ads paper or your local photo retailer, savings can be substantial.
You do need to be very careful though. If possible handle the item and examine it thoroughly before parting with your cash. Buying from a reputable dealer is the least risky way to buy, as you'll be offered some kind of warranty.
Use camera review sites such as www.whatdigitalcamera.com, www.trustedreviews.co.uk and www.amateurphotographer.com to find out more about a camera you are thinking of buying.
6. Make your own beanbag
Stitch two small bits of cloth together and fill it with dried beans, lentils, polystyrene balls, marbles, pea shingle or whatever you can find. Seal it up (if you're really good with a needle and thread, you can even put in a zip!) to produce your very own pocket beanbag.
These make excellent, versatile portable camera supports.
Position it on a flat surface such as a wall or your car bonnet and put the camera on top. The beanbag will mould around the camera, providing stable support for exposures up to several seconds.
If needlecraft isn't your thing try a soft zip-up pencil case.
7. Economic printing
If buying inkjet paper, try to make the most of it by printing only what you need and fitting what you can onto one sheet. You can always check alignment and spacing of images on standard paper before switching to photo paper for your final print. It's a great way of using up scrap paper and, unlike photo paper, it can still be recycled after you have used it.
Another way to save a bit of cash on photo paper is to get your images printed online, at sites such as www.photobox.co.uk, www.kodakgallery.co.uk and www.snapfish.co.uk
8. Make your own string tripod
Don't have Image Stabilisation? Can't afford an IS or VR lens?
While no substitute for an actual tripod, this clever string-pod' can provide several extra stops of stability, for free!
Simply cut a 2m length of string, tie one end to a tripod quick-release plate (and screw this into your tripod bush).
Stand on the other end to make the string taut.
By holding the camera and pulling gently upwards as you shoot, against the pull of the string, you'll reduce camera shake significantly.
When not in use it can be rolled up to slip into a small corner of your gadget bag.
9. Buy discontinued stock
Most digital compacts only have a shelf life of about six months before they're replaced by newer models. With digital SLRs it's usually around 18 months. After that, out come the discount stickers. The thing is, there's nothing wrong with these older models. Sometimes the models that replace them have only minor enhancements, and if you're prepared to forsake those you can make big savings.
10. Enter photo competitions
Enter your work into one of the plethora of online, or magazine, competitions (including What Digital Camera competitions, or if you're feeling adventurous the Amateur Photographer of the Year competition ). You might win a great prize, therefore not having to fork out for that new camera you've always wanted. And if you enter online, and have broadband, it won't cost you a bob to do it - just a little bit of time. Obviously you'll have to pay for postage if you need to send your submission somewhere, but this isn't usually much.
11. Rechargeable batteries
Why do some people still buy disposable AA batteries when rechargeables work out so much cheaper and are so much better for the environment?
Even if your camera doesn't use AA's (some still do) your flashgun certainly will and various other devices use them too.
Switching to rechargeables will save you a fortune in the long run, and the latest generation are better than ever. Some, such as Uniross's Hyperio range, even come fully charged so you can use them straight away.
We hope you find this article useful. Please feel free to sugget your own tips, using the edit feature, or let us know how you get on by adding a comment.
For Christmas ideas under 100 see our articles:
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