Make Shift Off Camera Flash Stand

Today, I wanted to set up an off-camera flash for indirect light bounced off of the ceiling.

lacking anything high enough, I took a look at the floor lamp in the room. Turns out the the screw on the top of most lamps, used to fasten down the shade, is the same size as a tripod screw (which the bases of our flashes accept).

Who would have thunk?

necessity, the mother of invention

If it works, it works. I however would advise buying a proper stand when you can....nothing worse than when you skimp and cut corners only to end up breaking some expensive equipment. In this case, a 7' light stand capable of holding a speedlight, and a bracket, would run maybe $30-40. The speedlight on the other hand ~$100-200 (used vs new).

Don't mean to be debbie-downer but I've broken many a speedlight jimmy-rigging similar setups lol. It tends to get expensive after a while

I've got 4 7' lights stand I got a Cowboy Studios. The do the job, indoors anyway. I believe they are currently about $13 each. Money well spent, if you have it of course. Good idea you've got there, though.

Shucks, I thought we would be worried about breaking some clients expensive antique lamp!

All these years and I never considered lamp hardware! Most of it is 1/8"-27 Male Pipe Thread. I'll be checking out those tops next time I'm at the hardware store.

as usual, tough crowd to please.

This is a great hack, and something I hope I can remember since I don't carry my light stands every time I carry my camera and flash gear.