What do you use to 'hold' things i.e. sheets, boards etc?

Cheng

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I've not really done much flash photography really - but I've been trying a bit today. Today was specifically 'product' photography but I guess it could equally apply to any sort of studio photography.

If I need a white sheet/paper on one side of a person/object (to bounce for example), and a black sheet of paper / cloth on the other side to kill reflections/light, how are these held in position?

I know you can get cheesy little 'mini' studios for 'product' photography but they don't seem very customisable to me.

I was thinking of something to the effect of chemistry clamps and poles (remember them!) to hold things in position - but I was wondering what people use - (or do all the pros have a million people holding different things?)

The other thing I was thinking was gutting a cardboard box and replacing the side panels with paper to diffuse etc. But was wondering if there was anything more permanent?

Cheers!
 
Personally, I use light stands with plastic clamps - you can get them in B&Q, or other diy stores. (Example)

I also have made some stuff out of PVC piping (including my background stand) - looks a bit heath robinson, but you can paint it if you want - gives it a more "pro" look....

In addition to that, I've made multiple snoots and gobos from funky foam and foamboard.

Take a look at www.diyphotography.com - lots of useful ideas on there.
 
I was thinking of something to the effect of chemistry clamps and poles (remember them!) to hold things in position - but I was wondering what people use - (or do all the pros have a million people holding different things?)

lots of product photographers do use them, indeed. Ebay search: 'retort stand'.

Other options are light stands, grip arms (which are the 'proper' solution), clamps (having a load of A clamps about the place is always useful) and to be honest... a lot of gaffer tape.
 
As per Dave's suggestion ish.

Light stand, boom arm and clamp/ gaffer tape.
 
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