Yesterday my light stand came crashing in the wind. A mild wind. I do have a decent light stand but as the light was high up at slow winds it was swaying. I did use a sand bag but was wondering when you move to a remote loc how can you do it without carrying the weight of a sand bag
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How can one prevent a light stand from tipping over in the wind
- Thread starter Tremint
- Start date
Peter Del
Veteran Member
Buy a durable bag from the supermarket.
In the country fill it with stones.
In the town fill it with bottles of water.
Perhaps!
Peter Del
In the country fill it with stones.
In the town fill it with bottles of water.
Perhaps!
Peter Del
markintosh13
Veteran Member
landscape anchors/staples, tent pegs and guide ropes, sandbags, all of the preceding at once...
D
Don89
Guest
I had a shoot in severe wind. Sandbags... were not enough
I also reduced the size of my light modifier to a standard 8" reflector. Even my 16" Elinchrom Fireball was too large for stability.
My only choice was a standard reflector. Shoot went great. Sometime you can't beat Mother Nature so do your best working with her
I also reduced the size of my light modifier to a standard 8" reflector. Even my 16" Elinchrom Fireball was too large for stability.
My only choice was a standard reflector. Shoot went great. Sometime you can't beat Mother Nature so do your best working with her
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Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
Physics wins everytime! Use more than one sandbag.
Either use a cart or have someone help carry them of you.
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D
Don89
Guest
A couple sand bags are heavy? Head for the gym and work out. You'll become a better photog too.
You could also carry empty sandbags and fill them on site if material is there to fill them. Then empty them on the way out.
I carried some 30 pounds of camera gear through the Himalayas. Felt like 200 pounds after 70 miles... but I was in shape. Makes all the difference.
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Actually is not about shape, since I am alone, carrying camera equipment, light stand, light modifier in addition to sand bags seems very tricky. Unless I guess I get a cart that can carry it all
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Thanks this seems to be interesting. I must try these
hotdog321
Forum Pro
I've found even a 42" umbrella acts like a powerful sail in even the mildest breeze. I tend to just use the flash head if there is any wind these days.
Even heavy bags might not be enough weight and a breeze might bend your light stand! Not a great solution, though. I might use stakes and lines if I had tons of time, but I never do.
Even heavy bags might not be enough weight and a breeze might bend your light stand! Not a great solution, though. I might use stakes and lines if I had tons of time, but I never do.
flatpicknut
Leading Member
I didn't want to carry sandbags as my cart already gets heavy enough with my camera gear. Instead I carry some elastic cords and tie the light stand up to the corner of my cart. Granted, this only works if you're using a single light with umbrella or softbox, but that's the way I generally work when I'm chasing a person or two for portraits in multiple locations during an hour or two session. (In general, I like using the Rapid Box Duo for my AD360II-C; sturdy softbox and decent power from the light. In sheltered areas, I use a 60" umbrella. I shift to the 5" metal reflector on the AD360II-C if wind is high or if I want the hard-light look.).
Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
Unless you are not photographing another person, you are not alone.
Good idea. My subjects are kids 6-8 year olds plus I was not sure if one can request the older subject to carry your stuff. Maybe for bigger people I will
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cdembrey
Leading Member
I've seen steel Matthews broken by a big gust of wind.
Here's some stakes http://www.adorama.com/llla.html
The best thing is to use NO modifiers. They do little, if anything in this situation.
Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
Teaches them a work ethic if they are your kids! and I assume a parent comes aling if they aren't yours.
D
Don89
Guest
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I don't trust the sandbags all the time. I shot high school graduation portraits in someone's backyard this summer with 2 profoto B1's on light stands with umbrellas. I had my wife hold 1 stand and a guest hold the other. Guess what, the sprinklers came on in the yard. You will never win. :-O
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ScratchDisk
Senior Member
Jacques Cornell
Forum Pro
Sandbags are more effective if, instead of putting them on the base of the lightstand, you put them several feet away and tie them to the top of the stand (or D-rings on your softbox) with rope.
Jacques Cornell
Forum Pro
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