Tip: Using light stands outside

One subject that regularly comes up on photography forums is, what do you do if you want to use a light stand outside in windy conditions? Even with just a flash on top — no umbrella — those things will get blown over in no time. And usually the less-than-helpful answer is either that you need to use a tripod (not tall enough) or have an assistant to hold the light stand (not practical for most of us).

Surprisingly I've never seen this idea suggested: Tent pegs. Nearly every outside shot I do is on grass, or could be done on grass if I wanted, so why not fasten the legs of the light stand to the ground using tent pegs?

Now we all know that buying made-for-purpose products can prove expensive so rather than go shopping for tent pegs I went to the local hardware store and bought some large screw-in hooks. They cost 88p each. I chose the ones with the biggest hook ends to make it easier to yank them back out of the ground when I'm done.

Here are a few pictures, done with my mum's point-and-shoot because I didn't have my own camera with me at the time…

Update: Ha! Just been checking the price of tent pegs online and you can buy packs of 10 for about £2. So on this occasion the made-for-purpose product is in fact cheaper than the cheapskate hardware store alternative.