Tripod

Tripod

A soft light only helps if it's in the right place, and the right place is almost never where you can reach. Held in your hand, it's at your height. Propped on a shelf, it's wherever the shelf is. Above and slightly to the side of your subject, the position that actually flatters a face, it needs something to hold it there.

This is that something. Aluminium, three legs, folds into a bag, with a standard 1/4-20 thread. It takes the Adventure Lamp, the Creator Lamp, a phone clamp, a small camera or anything else in your bag with a tripod socket.

Which height 1.1 m for tabletop work, product shots and lighting a seated subject. It folds to 40 cm and genuinely fits in a backpack. 2.1 m for standing subjects and for getting the light above eyeline, which is where most of the difference between “lit” and “lit well” lives. It folds to 67 cm. If you shoot mostly at a desk, take the short one. If you shoot people standing up, take the tall one: you won't miss the extra 27 cm in the bag, and you'll miss the metre of height every single time.

Specifications Material: Aluminium Thread: 1/4-20 standard Sections: Telescoping, lock-catch Folded length: 40 cm (1.1 m) / 67 cm (2.1 m) Head: Rotating, adjustable angle Fits: Adventure Lamp, Creator Lamp, phone clamps, ring lights, small cameras

In the box: Stand, carrying bag