About

Photography has undergone more than one upheaval in recent years. Although the traditional photography business has come under pressure, micro-businesses are flourishing in the new era of inexpensive digital cameras and inkjet printers, photo sharing websites, and print-on-demand. Besides the new “micro-studios,” artists, photo hobbyists, and students of photography are benefiting from digital cameras, inkjet printers, and online resources. Photographers in general are able to supply themselves with an array of high-priced, proprietary equipment.

But, in reality, after the necessities are acquired, the cost to outfit a budding business or hobby is still quite high. If you’re selling “dollar stock,” or are photographing playgroups to give or sell portraits to families, there is a point at which you have the knowledge and desire to flesh out your photo gear, but not the desire to chew up your savings or dip into debt to do so. Whether in good economic times or in bad, photographers have to be wily because it’s likely you could best use your money for paying the rent or going on a vacation. That is why irreverent photo tools are so important.

I don’t believe you have to spend a lot of money to take great pictures. In fact, I’d like to poke a hole in the notion that photographers need to break the bank and flesh out their roster of photo tools with high-end photo gear. Much of that traditional gear is advertised by mainstream photography and digital imaging media, and sold through traditional photo marketing channels. But there’s another path the intrepid photographer can take that will pave the way for great photography and not break the bank.

I’ve always been very pragmatic about photo tools, and generally disrespectful of marketing text that claims to produce foolproof pictures, because your eye, your knowledge, and your ability are your best assets, regardless of the tool. Showing off your photo equipment should never be more important than showing off your pictures. Let the equipment be secondary to technique and inspiration.

Nothing teaches like experience, and I know from experience that a walk through a local or big box hardware store, an Army & Navy store, or even an office supply store, will reveal just as many excellent and life-saving photography tools as any trip to a camera store. Tools I’ve included in this tutorial—tools like the hayfork handle, light bulb changer, staple gun, and cardboard tube—will hopefully underscore that point.

I say, save your money and have some fun. As I mentioned, if you are itching to spend money, spend it on expensive camera lenses. You won’t regret it. Meanwhile, have some fun and be creative with the tools I’ve included in this tutorial. You’ll put your camera and lenses through their paces and possibly shoot something that you never would have if you stuck to traditional photo tools and photo techniques.