Everyone likes to talk about their toys. Cars, tech, shoes, whatever. I'm no exception - when I pull out my camera, it gets lots of questions!
"What are you shooting with? Canon? Nikon?"
"What about lenses?"
"What super-special-awesome trigger are you using?"
You know, the usual. However, what's REALLY fun is when I start digging through my Bag O' Tricks and pull out... a bedsheet. No buttons. No flashing lights. Just a bedsheet - but it's quite possibly one of the most useful things I have!
Ugly carpet? BEDSHEET.
Raining? BEDSHEET and run for cover!
Need to sit in white pants in a grassy field? BEDSHEET is here to SAVE THE DAY!
Got room in your bag? Throw in a sheet. Better yet, toss in TWO - white and black. Cheaper then most equipment (pretty sure both of mine came from the thrift store for $5.00) and you'll be surprised how handy they are!
Here's just a few ideas!
1. Sit-upon/ Lie-upon
Want to have your subject sit on the ground? Protect their clothes - throw down a sheet first!
2. Backdrop
Great for portraits!
3. Dropcloth
Hide ugly carpets!
4. Reflector
Okay, this shot is a bit of a cheater since the white cape is part of the costume, not a bedsheet. (Give me a break, it's the best example I've got!) See how it's bouncing light onto the faces of the people in back? A sheet will do the same thing!
Inversely, use a black sheet when you need to block light.
5. Prop
Use for extra movement (anime designers LOVE random flowy fabric!) or as an ACTUAL sheet!
There you go! Have fun!
So, what crazy things do you carry in YOUR bag? Share in the Comments!