DIY hacks: how to make your own photo accessories

1. Make your own softbox

You'll need:

• Cardboard box
• Strong cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Rubber bands
• Foil
• Baking parchment or tracing paper (translucent paper works best)

Step 1 - Make a rectangular tube

Cut a piece of strong cardboard to fit tightly around your Speedlite. It should measure about double the length of the bendy part of the flash. Tape it securely. Remove the Speedlite and cut along the four corners to about halfway down the length, then bend them so that they splay outwards.

Step 2 - Fasten a Speedlite stand

Take the plastic stand from your Speedlite and tape it to the cardboard tube (wrap the tape around a few times, then pierce a hole through the tape to the thread so you'll be able to attach the plastic stand to the tripod later). Next, hook two rubber bands over two of the splayed cardboard flaps so that they can be used to fasten your Speedlite within the cardboard tube.

Step 3 - Tape tube to box

Position the end of the tube in the centre of your large cardboard box (the bigger the box the more diffused your light will be) and mark around it. Cut around three sides of the marked area, then fold the fourth side upwards to create a single flap. Push your Speedlite tube through the hole from the inside (making sure to feed the elastic bands through too). Tape the four splayed flaps on the Speedlite tube to the inside of the box, and tape the single box flap to the outside of the tube.

Step 4 - Cover the box

Line the inside of the box with reflective foil. First wrap and stick foil to the top and bottom of the box, then make two angled side panels by taping the ends of two sheets of foil near to the centre of the box on either side. Pull the foil tightly as it leaves the box and fasten down, so you have a triangle-shaped cavity between the foil and the box. The angles will help direct the light. Tape baking parchment or tracing paper over the front of the box. Your DIY softbox is now ready for action. Screw it on to a stand or tripod via the Speedlite's plastic stand and slot your Speedlite into the tube, hooking the rubber bands over the end to hold it in place.

Step 5 - Position the light

Position your softbox to one side and slightly above your subject's face. You can trigger the Speedlite in the softbox either by using a second Canon Speedlite attached to the camera hotshoe, or with a wireless trigger (like the Canon ST-E3-RT) or using your pop-up flash (on compatible Canon cameras). As a starting point for your exposure, set your camera to manual mode with exposure at 1/200 sec, ISO 100 and aperture f/5.6. Set the flash to manual power at one-eighth power then take a test shot. If it's too bright or dark then adjust the flash power or aperture until the light looks right.

2. Make a spotlight tube

You'll need:

• Cylindrical, foil-lined crisps tube
• Craft knife or scissors
• Masking tape

Step 1 - Cut the tube

You'll need a cylindrical tube large enough to fit over the end of your Speedlite, such as a tube of crisps or, in our case, breadsticks. Ideally the container should have a metallic lining, because this helps to bounce light along the tube. Using a craft knife or scissors, cut the end off the tube.

Step 2 - Fit over your Speedlite

Fit the tube over your Speedlite. If the diameter is not quite right and it doesn't slide on snugly and stay in place, then use masking tape to fasten it. Next attach the Speedlite to its plastic base, then screw this on to a light stand or tripod plate.

Step 3 - Triggering the flash

We need to trigger the Speedlite remotely, either by using a second camera-mounted Speedlite like this or by using a wireless trigger. Alternatively, many Canon camera models also let you control compatible Speedlites using the camera's pop-up flash – not only to trigger the Speedlite but also to set the power. Take a couple of test shots to ensure the flash is firing.

Step 4 - Positioning the light

For a backlit look, position your Speedlite behind the subject to one side, angled back towards the subject and camera. As our beam of light is quite tight, it's important to get the angle right. It can help to use the modelling light function on the Speedlite (press and hold the test button) or alternatively use the Canon Camera Connect app to fire off test shots remotely from your smartphone while you tweak the positioning of the flash. Shoot your subject against a plain background – a drape or sheet works well – and use a contrasting colour to ensure your subject stands out.

Step 5 - Set up your exposure

Here's a good starting point for your exposure: set your camera to manual exposure mode, and set ISO to 100, shutter speed to 1/200 sec and aperture to f/8. Next, set the flash to manual mode and lower the output to 1/32. Take a test shot. If it's too bright or dark then simply lower or increase the flash power until it looks right. Position your subject side-on for a dramatic profile shot, then start shooting.

3. Make your own beanbag

You'll need:

• Pair of old trousers
• Needle and thread or a sewing machine
• Bag of lentils / rice or similar dried food

Step 1 - Cut off a leg

Take a pair of old trousers and cut off one of the legs. You'll need a piece about 30cm long. Next grab your needle and thread (or sewing machine) and sew up the opening at one end. Sew up the other end but leave a small opening of a few centimetres.

Step 2 - Pour in dried food

Take a bag of lentils, or similar small dried foodstuffs such as rice, and pour it into the opening (a funnel comes in handy – you could make one out of a sheet of A4 paper if required). Fill until the bag feels almost full, then take your needle and thread again and sew up the opening to seal the food in the bag. Your homemade beanbag is now ready for use.

Step 3 - Steady your lens

Your beanbag can be great for keeping long lenses steady. Not only can longer lenses be heavy to hold for any length of time, but the longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view, so any slight movements will be exaggerated. Your beanbag will help to prevent shake when shooting at longer focal lengths. If, like the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens here, your lens has Image Stabilization then it's best to turn this on too while shooting handheld.

Step 4 - Use it low to the ground

Placing your camera low to the ground can often give you an unusual perspective, but it can be tricky to shoot at such low angles. Your homemade beanbag can help by cradling the lens while you frame the shot, and you can also mould it to the required angle. A camera with a flip-screen like the Canon EOS 250D here is also helpful, because it's difficult to compose a shot using the viewfinder at such a low angle. You could also use the Canon Camera Connect app to control the camera remotely from your phone.

Step 5 - Track moving subjects

Tracking moving subjects with a long lens can be tricky, especially small garden wildlife like bees. Because your beanbag will support your camera but not lock it into place, it will help to keep things steady but leave you free to follow movement. It's also important to set your autofocus for moving subjects. The live view subject tracking on the Canon EOS 250D makes it easy to focus on the bees here.

Written by James Paterson