PDN - March 2012

Nasty Clamps

Sometimes our work requires us to get a bit nasty. When that happens we turn to Nasty Clamps. Though they might look like something used in an S&M movie, Nasty Clamps are actually quite practical. Designed by Portland, Oregon-based photographer Matthew Monroe, these clamp-like devices let you attach your off-camera strobes to trees, fences, signposts and other structures for additional illumination in a scene. Connected to the industrial strength clamp is a bendable arm with a standard, 1/4-inch screw mount on the end to fasten your flash to via a hot-shoe adapter. The clamps are compatible with just about every SLR flash out there right now and support up to a pound of weight when fully extended horizontally. Nasty Clamps are modular so segments in the arm can be added or taken out as needed. Try them with your Pocket Wizards to create some truly nasty lighting set-ups.

PRICE: $44

INFO: www.nastyclamps.com

Rogue FlashBenders If you were getting the feeling that we stash a lot of lighting-related gear in our camera bag, you’d be right. Rogue FlashBenders are another great, portable solution for modifying light and bouncing flash to create more flattering portraits and natural-looking strobed photos. FlashBenders are small strap-on reflec- tors with coiled steel inserted in them, al- lowing them to be shaped in a variety of ways for different strobe light- ing effects. The shapeable tactile design of these accessories make them versatile and highly addic- tive to play with. (Twist them in one position and the metal coils inside will help them hold their shape.) Along with giving you op- tions on where to direct the light from your flash, the white, reflective surface inside the FlashBenders is made from durable, synthetic fabric that can be cleaned with a single wipe. The surface is designed to be neutral so it won’t affect the color temperature of the light from your strobe. They fit most any standard shoe-mount flash using an integrated belt.

Induro Carbon
CM34 Monopod

We ask for only a few things when it comes to a monopod: It needs to be strong, it needs to be stable and it needs to be portable. Induro’s line of Carbon CM 8X monopods fit the bill for us. Our choice is the CM34, which is the heftiest in Induro’s carbon fiber line but still remarkably lightweight at just over a pound. CM-series monopods are made of a combination of magnesium alloy parts and eight-layer (8X) carbon fiber tubing that’s estimated to be 60 percent stronger than standard carbon fiber tubing. CM-series monopods have twice the load capacity of previous models and the CM34 can support nearly 40 pounds of weight, making it ideal for sports photographers using DSLRs with long telephoto lenses. It’s also solid enough to support chunky medium-format camera systems with their heavy digital backs. While tripods offer a lot more versatility, give us a monopod any day for crowded situations, such as the sidelines of the big game. Setting up the CM34 is a snap: Just twist the dust- and mois-ture-resistant rubber leg locks, extend the monopod (it pulls out to over 62 inches) and you’re ready to shoot. When you’re done for the day, fold it down, stash it in your bag and skedaddle.