Photography is an expensive hobby and it’s all too easy to use lack of gear as an excuse not to create. But as a spendthrift homebody I can tell you that even MacGyver would envy some of the solutions I’ve cobbled together to save myself a dime. And forget power tools – I’m not going to recommend painstakingly rigging together 50 things from the hardware store to save yourself $100 on a beauty dish. My solutions are simple, no fuss ways to keep creating while you longingly contemplate your next gear purchase.
No tripod? Any stable surface will do. While out hiking I often wedge my camera into rocks. At home use a table or chair, and if the height needs to be adjustable, whip out the ironing board. Sometimes I just put my camera on the ground and prop up the lens with whatever I can find nearby. This has the benefit of giving you some unique viewpoints you may not have previously considered.
No filters? Sunglasses help when you accidentally leave your filters at home. Regular sunglasses can substitute for an ND filter while polarising glasses can help cut glare. But you may need to crop out the sunglass edges which will limit how much you can include in your frame.
No graduated filter? I carry a small piece of black cardboard around in my camera bag that I mainly use this when shooting fireworks to cover the lens between bursts, but another great reason is to substitute for an ND grad filter. During a long exposure try holding the card over the sky (jiggling it around slightly to avoid a harsh line) so the sky is exposed for less time than the foreground which balances out the overall exposure.
No remote? When shooting long exposures use your camera’s inbuilt self-timer which gives your camera time to stabilise between pressing the shutter and taking the shot. Otherwise most newer cameras have an app to trigger your shutter. If an intervalometer is required for shooting lightning or star trails, just tape down your shutter button.
No flash? Often I’ve used household lamps of various shapes and sizes. Use a lampshade for diffused light or remove it for harsh light. Otherwise use sculpted natural light such as that provided by a window. Vary the position and distance of your subject to compare the different ways the light falls.
No reflector? This is an easy one. Substitute with white card, polystyrene, foamcore or silver foil. If you need to flag or remove light, black card works equally well.
Using polystyrene propped up with a photo frame to bounce light from a window.
No softbox? Cut the hole in the back of a cardboard box. Make it large enough to fit your flash through and then tape it on. Cover the front with translucent baking paper.
No snoot? A can of Pringles is a fun way to make a snoot for your Speedlite. Use a can opener to remove the base, slide your Speedlite in, press the sides to mould the container to the shape of your light and use the plastic cover for diffusion, or for shaped light use two pieces of alfoil over the front and leave a small slit. If you happen to have a bunch of plastic straws lying around you can even use a bundle of these inside the can like a grid.
No gels? Tape some cellophane over your Speedlite or for larger lights use sheets of cellophane over your softbox. (But keep an eye on these periodically to make sure nothing catches fire!)
No backdrop? For the longest time I used bed sheets. I trawled my local charity shops for different colours. Now I use roller blinds from my local hardware store. These aren’t long enough to cover the ground but a little creative Photoshopping will help you out. (Or you could try using black gym mats on the floor.)
No backdrop stands? For years I used a clothes rack. They don’t go terribly high but are perfect for headshots or poses for composites.
No black acrylic? For creating product reflections black acrylic can be tricky to source. Use glass from a photo frame over a piece of black card. A floor tile can also work.
No lens ball? Track down a cheaper crystal ball. Same thing. And one tells the future!
No rain cover? Got a cheap, clear shower cap handy? Start collecting these from your hotel stays to wrap over your camera.
No model? Family members are great with a little coercing, but I’ve perfected the art of the self-portrait so I don’t need to rely on anyone else.
No designer dresses? I’ve never paid full price for a dress. All of mine have been found at charity shops or bridal shops having sales. But Facebook Marketplace is handy too.
Lack of gear is not a hindrance but an opportunity to use your creative problem solving abilities! If you are in the market for some new gear please hit up our gear guide and help support the creation of this blog. 🙂
