by Felix Russo
Updated: Nov 9, 2019
A DIY beanbag for photography is an easy project that can be whipped up with a bit of sewing know-how for under $10.
Besides using the beanbag as a ballast in the studio, it can be handy to steady a camera in an endless variety of outdoor situations; a car door, a rock, a fence, a tree branch, etc. You can customize the bag to whatever colour, size and shape you want.
All you need is:
• Scissors, needle and thread, (or a sewing machine, if you have one)
• Some sturdy fabric (e.g., denim or twill)
• A zipper to fit along a side of the beanbag
• Some filling (e.g., small beans or lentils)
• An extra bit of fabric or ribbon to sew a hook at one end of the beanbag, for attaching it to the centre column of a tripod
STEP 1
Measure and cut.
For the sample shown I used a piece of fabric 40cm x 30cm. The final size of the bag is 20cm x 30cm. To make the loop use a piece of fabric 6cm x12cm folded lengthwise.
STEP 2
Sew the zipper so that the two long ends come together. Place the loop on the short side near the top of the zipper. Turn the bag inside-out and sew the top and bottom of the bag.
STEP 3
Reverse the bag and add the beans. Test it out for proper support of your camera and lens, adding or taking away beans to suit.
*TIPS:
Recycle and save $
Grab an old pair of jeans to re-use the denim and the zipper for this project. Cut the legs off, turn inside-out, and sew the three open sides closed to the size required. Turn outside-in and fill
with beans — voila!
A travel bonus
A bonus of the beanbag is that it’s super easy to pack for travel. Simply empty the bag and fill it with beans when you arrive at your destination.