Cheap Bouncy Fun
A couple of weeks ago, when we ran the post on the DIY bounce reflector thingie, I got several "Do Not Publish" comments that basically said: "Are you brain dead? Do you realize you are pointing people to instructions to DIY a product made by one of your advertisers?"
To that, I say:
"Geez, ma, why do you always leave DNP comments on my blog? Can't you just phone me like all of the other bloggers' moms do?"
Kidding -- I love Mother Strobist to bits, which is why I always take advantage of any excuse to run her photo on the blog. (Click it for a corner headshot tute.) And I certainly hope you did not get the wrong idea from that headline.
But while I'll grant you that the brain-dead thing may be debatable, there are actually some gear manufacturers who genuinely want to teach people to light -- whether they buy the gear or not.
Don't believe me? Check out this video from Lighting Academy, after the jump.
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I know lots of questions are popping into your mind right now. Questions like:
• Why would a lighting gear manufacturer publish DIY tips using Home Depot stuff?
• Forget the lighting tips, where can I get that fly outfit?
• And, how come German mannequins got nipples and ours don't?
Actually, turns out that the low-budget themed Lighting Academy is run by the very same folks who were being DIY-hacked by the blogger in the post mentioned above. It is the pet project of Peter Geller, the head honcho at California Sunbounce.
And while CSB's pro gear may not be for the faint of wallet, what he really wants is to teach the world how to shape light. Lighting Academy may have an ad for CSB on it, but it is also chock full of videos (with English versions coming on line soon) to show you just how simple it is to shape light with cheap, DIY gear.
I do not have to tell you how cool I think that is, and how happy I am to be associated with CSB as a result of that compass point. They have produced a ton of videos (link below) on how to light using the CSB line. But even if you can't afford the good stuff right now, you at least can afford the good light.
My only question: Why doesn't every company do this? Seriously, if you are a lighting gear company, how can you not be doing this?
It costs very little. And CSB is not giving away the store, either. Quite the contrary, they are minting photographers who want to better shape their light -- even if they currently are dirt broke.
And if there is any justice in the world, some of that good karma will come back later when the DIY-type photographers want to pony up for the good stuff later.
You can watch more cheap, bouncy fun at Lighting Academy. And you can see CSB's ever-expanding library of lighting videos here.
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Posted at 12:00 AM.
34 Comments:
xaxa
Funny article.Keep it writing.Good luck.
giving info away? only if you speak german
It took me the better part of 30 seconds to determine whether he was speaking German or if he was speaking English with a heavy accent.
Also, the mannequin appears to have only a right nipple.
Oh its so sad that you dont understand German. Besides being a good tip, the guy is kind of hilarious. You never know if he really is serious with it. Lovely.
So CALIFORNIA sunbounce is a GERMAN company. Who would have known?
Gotta agree Dave,
I started off with the Diy approach and since then have bought a shed load of gear.
Mostly for convenience but also because I made money from using the DIY approach.
The best was a hamper shoot that netted me a good few bob and was done using sb's, tracing paper, and cardboard.
that paid for a soft box, reflector, and ,em, a holiday!!
keep up the good work
I am always interested in those little cultural differences, but a Google search convinced me that your mannequins now have nipples, too.
I am sorry if this is slightly off topic ;-)
"My only question: Why doesn't every company do this?"
For most companies, far less creativity and risk taking comes out of the marketing department than it does out of the engineering department.
I bet the ads in a professional photo magazine are very boring.
Personally I don't think there was anything wrong with the DIY. I mean it's not exactly rocket science.
A lot of DIY stuff does get thrown away for the 'real' thing after a while anyway. The DIY ones just show us what can be achieved first hand before we blow out big bucks.
Look forward to some English videos, my German ain't too hot, well.. it's non-existent actually.
For another take on the DIY version, check out this setup.
Before anybody asks: Yes, all Germans wear shirts and glasses like that, and a pocket protector is a _must_ ;)
I would try to bounce off of that awesome pocket protector.
There is a market for these companies despite people building their own versions of their stuff. Pro shooters will always buy the expensive gear for one simple reason: you can fold it, pack it, abuse it on location and still use it the next week with the same result. DIY stuff is great if you never have to go anywhere or have plenty of time to carefully disassemble it when you do. I once tried to bring my homemade reflectors on a trip... they didn't make it, my lastolite's always do. ;)
This is an excellent approach to marketing. They are in the business of selling high quality, portable reflectors. They won't sell many if there are not many people who want those reflectors. By teaching photographers how to use inexpensive reflectors, it grows the size of the market they can sell into. Plus, once you've used a cheap reflector, you have a foundation to understand the CSB advantage.
Other companies should take note.
A perfectly good point. Similar to the idea of selling something a little cheaper, because you'll probably sell more in the long run, and even out. Better to sell two items at $5 each than one at $8.
I also look at this angle and see the main two sides: people with money who will go the DIY route after seeing it, and people without the money for the big set of gear (the people with the money who will buy the gear don't count in this case, because they're buying the gear!).
In the case of folks without a lot of cash, it does exactly like David said: you start thinking about lighting more/differently and get used to using it more. You get used to using object to affect light and when you start making money, you get better gear as needed. At that point, you go to the places with which you are familiar.
In the case of the folks with the money, but deciding to go the DIY route ("cheating" the company out of some dollars), A) those folks probably weren't going to purchase the items anyway (in most cases), or B) they were looking for a cheaper alternative the entire time.
Again, once they decide to purchase the "real" thing, they'll go with the company they saw, especially if it's that company giving the DIY tricks.
There are a lot of things that I buy because I've gone the route of doing something and then redoing it. I dislike that and I want it done first, but I still see a lot of value in DIY projects to make sure it's something I will really want/use. If it is, then I generally buy the pro product because it offers extras (build quality, other attachments, better fit, etc).
I'm all for companies promoting their products this way. I think it's even better than some "knock-off" companies who just release an inferior (but mostly similar) product. Those just tend to put me off because I expect more but it lacks. If I do a DIY project, I expect some lack of features, which is precisely what drives me to the pro product once I determine that I use that device.
I am german and an engenier also... but I did not have so a cool pocket protector. I NEED one... urgent!!
By the way... a nice old fashioned locking video... I hope that this is only a joke :-D
Fuchten Gud Vide
Danke :)
Lighting companies arn't stupid either. Today's DIY lighter could be tommorrow's Chase Jarvis.
The best way to sell something is to give something away for free.
(cough cough pocket wizards)
Embarrassment: Roommate walking in on you as you view a low quality video of a man pointing a pencil at a one nippled mannequin while speaking in German.
what do you think he thought i was watching.
i'm just glad i had my pants on.
Now that was weird, I had the original Mother Strobist post open for some lighting review and when I opened another tab to the current Strobist... suprise, there "she" was again. I thought the link was broken.
I built a DIY PVC reflector and used a windshield reflector from St.Vincent (0.69), tweaked the the 1/4-20 mount for grader strength and only glued some of the joints so I could break it down. Already used it at work for a video shoot as a reflector/gobo. I used another windshield reflector taped to a ladder for some fill. They fold up, are silver on one side and white on another, very handy. Still working on one of David T. ring lights but I think I'll add a second flash for more power ;-)
It's good market building. Sure you can make stuff for free, but there's almost always an advantage to the purchased gear (better results, more robust, faster to set up, whatever) and getting people hooked on the tools is a good step to getting them to pay for better tools later...
If you go to this link and click the American Flag at the top of the page it will take you to the English version of Sunbounce.
http://www.sunbounce.com/cms/index.php?id=912
Didn't get a chance to check it out but it is now bookmarked.
Lighting Guru Dean Collins taught us lighting using PVC pipe, shower curtains and a Vivitar 283 flash. After taking his classes, we went out and bought thousands of dollars worth of Larson reflectosols, Starfishes and studio lighting.
Teach someone the principles and they'll be able to use the professional gear, so they'll buy it.
DIY stuff is great, as long as you don't have to impress a client. I learn to light using whatever I can find, then, when I know what I'm doing, and know what I want, I drop the big bucks on pretty and slick equipment, which I can walk into a client shoot and show off.
When I first got into photography, a successful wedding photographer friend said, "Buy the biggest lens you can find and pull it out first thing, even if you'll never use it. Look like a pro, and the client will treat you like one." There's a whole lotta fault with that statement, other than the core advice. But a foam-core board and a stick? You need some serious confidence in your skillz to pull that off.
Are you outa your mind!
How can you give CSB matketing trick away.
In marketing I was always told get there attention but tell the truth or the'll never come back to you as a customer
Wink
add this to the original post above as I sent it with out typing it!
Thanks for telling the truth all the time
Well, Gotta love a guy with a pocket full of pens.... It shows that he really knows what he is on about!!!
that is not a mannequin. don't you know germans are very cold people with no facial expressions what so ever..
Unrelated to the topic: One friends e-mailed me a link to this device, thought you might be interested in it for your blog.
http://www.universaltimer.com/home.html
I don't know much about it, but it looks like the kind of gadgetry that belongs here. And it's cheaper than a lot of photo equipment! (And it's modular.) Maybe I'm getting too excited about it.
as well as showing nipples the tutor did in fact say 'dick' at 59 seconds. Frankly, Mr Hobby I am outraged. My children look at this site and the standards are slipping! that manequin was wearing far to much make up!
It's about time the sitbonzo crew did a new video. Now, where can I get quite as many pens to put in my top pocket?
great video and post, thanks.
David
Dave! Wie getz? Das ist eine gut video! Gave my German a great workout! Thanks!
After spending years in Germany I have to say that they are a few decades behind us in style and music but decades ahead of us in food and beer! I love the pocket protector!
Yea why do German Mannequins have nipples!!?? Ha, I wouldn't have noticed if you didn't point it out. I agree, the world is a better place when people learn about light. Most people just feel the difference but can't put a finger on it, us as photographers should be able to manipulate that light to create a certain feel. Companies that show lighting tips are just bettering the world one tip at a time! All this info is awesome, thanks again!
Canadian mannequins have nipples too. It's also much colder up here.
someone please translate this !!
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