Beating The Gumtree Blues

I like Gumtree - the local swap and sell app that you can run on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. I have it on my iPad and it's the way I dispose of a lot of unwanted model or studio gear. And I have a secret when I use it - I can do good lighting for the items I want to sell... it makes them move faster. Okay, there's a studio with studio lights and scoop backdrops and a coffee machine... but it's only the modelling lights in the studio flash that get used so I never try too dramatic a presentation. The basic illustration does the trick. The trouble with basic illustration on the modern tablet/phone is the method of using it. Up until now I have struggled to get the iPad steady enough to ensure a good shot. It'll focus well, and there is a zoom feature on the screen that is delightful, but the ergonomics of pointing it and poking the screen mean that I frequently poke it into a blur. Enter Joby - one of our favourite fun-thinking accessory makers. a. Microstands and Grip Tight clamps for mobile phones. Once you've either got a mini tripod or amount for the regular studio stand or tripod, the troubles go away. The device can be positioned well and stand a very long exposure indeed. These things are tiny, in keeping with your mobile phone. b. The same thing for the smaller tablets. c. Big-time Bingo for me. The full-sized iPad clamp that will attach to my studio stand. It will cradle the thing and then I can finally get some precision into the framing and shooting. This sort of thing pays for itself if you are going to be doing fast-replacement product shooting. Note that it rotates for both vertical and horizontal orientation.