Cheap Tricks ― Ingenious Lighting and Shooting Ideas for Studio Photography

What do a dog leash, shower curtains, and mylar gift wrap have in common? Theyalong with countless other surprising everyday objectscan all be used to construct implements that will help you capture better images of any subject, from products to portraits, and build your arsenal of photographic tools and accessories without breaking your budget.

In this book, seasoned author, lecturer, and commercial and portrait photographer Christopher Grey shows you how to construct a host of light modifiers, from diffusers to gobos to reflectors, to snoots, to cookies; repurpose multiple elements as high-style backdrops and foreground elements, and even build some fabulous accessoriesfrom a lens stabilizer for low-light shots (this is where that dog leash mentioned above will come in handy) to light tents for soft, beautiful light for your small product shots.

The hacks” in this book (ever thought of using a register box from the hardware store as a light source? using a nail plate to mount a light to the studio wall or stabilize it close to the floor?) will inspire you to get to work, and they will amp up your creativity, but there’s more: Christopher Grey is a lighting guruand, throughout this book, he also shares his secrets for using your existing lighting equipment to create exquisite effects. You’ll learn how to chart the sun’s course in order to make the most of your outdoor photo sessions and you’ll learn approaches underutilized by most photographers.

With the 60 fabulous tips in this book, you’ll have 60 new tools to help you become a more successful and creatively competent photographer.

Christopher Grey is a recognized world-class photographer who has written numerous physical and electronic books on lighting, posing, professional technique, and camera systems. Internationally awarded and a lifetime photographer, he's committed to teaching others everything he's learned. He's the author of the best-selling Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers and others all from Amherst Media. He lives in Minneapolis, MN.