{"id":98141,"date":"2016-12-02T07:30:54","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T07:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=98141"},"modified":"2016-12-05T10:32:03","modified_gmt":"2016-12-05T10:32:03","slug":"quick-tips-use-a-beanbag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/expert_advice\/quick-tips-use-a-beanbag\/","title":{"rendered":"Quick tips: Use a beanbag"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you use a tripod, it\u2019s tempting to shoot at chest height, which can lead to predictable pictures. Beanbags, on the other hand, force you to get down low, or seek out a fencepost or wall to support your gear.<\/p>\n

These cheap, lightweight accessories let you use your car as a hide, observing and photographing wildlife in comfort. They can be draped over window frames, providing a safe cushion for your equipment. They support both a camera and much of a lens, helping you to keep everything steady. In the case of DSLRs, they also help to absorb vibrations created by the mirror flipping up to expose the sensor.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. While the flexibility of a beanbag will never match that of a tripod, this cheap accessory allows you to be in position and firing away within seconds.<\/li>\n
  2. Choosing a beanbag is simple: just decide how much surface area you require (taking into account the longest lens you use), look for tough, waterproof material and decide on a suitable filling.<\/li>\n
  3. If you’re planning a bird-photography session, fill your beanbag with a plastic bag of bird seed and scatter small amounts in strategic positions as required. Remember to refresh the bird seed regularly.<\/li>\n
  4. Some beanbags have a screw thread on the top, allowing you to attach a camera directly to them \u2013 this can be great for panning. If you use a standard bag and slide your hand under the camera, you can achieve similar results.<\/li>\n
  5. Beanbags are often available in camouflage fabrics to help you keep a low profile when photographing wildlife. Wildlife Watching Supplies (www. wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk) has a fantastic range.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    In today’s Quick Tips, we look at the diminutive alternative to the trusty tripod – the beanbag. What’s it all about?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":323,"featured_media":98144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[375],"tags":[484],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-98141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expert_advice","tag-homepage"],"yoast_head":"\nQuick tips: Use a beanbag - Amateur Photographer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In today's Quick Tips, we look at the diminutive alternative to the trusty tripod - the beanbag. 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