13.3. General studio gear

The well-equipped photographic studio is overflowing with all kinds of specialized tools and equipment. The most common items are described here.

13.3.1. Light stands

Since it wouldn't be a good idea to have the typical flash-illuminated scene lit by units resting on the floor, light stands are an essential part of any studio. They are similar to tripods in that most have three-legged bases, but they differ in that the majority of the vertical height is a single tube (i.e., the legs join the vertical tube lower down, rather than higher up, as is the case with tripods). This is because rock-steady stability is less of an issue with light stands than with tripods. As long as the stand is fairly sturdy, it doesn't matter if it wobbles a bit when bumped, something that wouldn't be acceptable for a camera tripod. Figure 13-25