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Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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How-to: DIY Light Filters

November 28, 2011 Leave a Comment

A couple of months ago, I showed you how to make your own light box. The only problem I’ve run into with shooting photos for this blog is the need to shoot things that can’t fit inside a cardboard box! If you set up your lighting to shoot photos sans-light box, the light filters provided by the tissue paper in the box are gone. This leads to over-exposed pictures.

My solution for dealing with this problem was to make little caps for my lights that look like shower caps, but are made from flannel fabric and elastic.

Supplies

1 yd. white flannel

2 yds. of 1/2 in.-wide white elastic

sewing machine

scissors

pins

Directions

Trace the widest part of your lantern, as shown.

Cut out the shape with an additional inch of space to accommodate the elastic you’ll be adding.

Cut the elastic into lengths that are slightly smaller than the widest part of your lamp. Mine are 25 inches in length because the circumference of my lamp’s head is also 25″ around.

Next, pin your elastic to the circles and sew in place using a sewing machine. As you go, you’ll be pleating your fabric to make it fit onto the elastic. Make sure not to stretch your elastic as you sew.

 

To understand why a person would want to use something like this, some more photos are in order. Here’s what a photo looks like without using these light filters:

Photo shot in manual without the filters.

Photo shot in manual with the filters.

If you couldn’t guess, I’m a photography amateur for sure. Another trick I use when my pics are over-exposed (too bright), is to move the lights further from the subject being photographed. This isn’t always possible in my Chicago apartment, so filters are a huge help for me!

Note: Remember not not leave your lights on for hours with the filters over them. That’s probably a fire hazard… Just FYI!

Filed Under: How-to, Sewing Tagged With: digital photography, dslr, light filter

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

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Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
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knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
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A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
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See you in a couple weeks! ✌🏻#handsoccupied #knitdesign #craftdesign #sofadedsweater
Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
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Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
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rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
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Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
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Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
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