One of the most used tools on a Hollywood set, oh heck on any set, is the C-Stand. C in Roman numerals representing the numeral 100 is how the C-Stand got its name, 100’s of uses. When closed it’s 53″ high, it can be extended to 10’6″, it usually is ordered with a 40″ arm and Grip Head. The C-Stand is a very versatile tool in the photographer’s arsenal. Allow me to show you how to take advantage of the C-Stand. One way is a reflector holder:
You simply secure a piece of foamcore or any material that you’re using to reflect light onto the talent. Rotate the 40″ arm into the correct position, secure it, and you’re good to go. This is a great time for me to share some of the correct ways to secure a C-Stand. First, you always adjust the arm so that when you tighten the handle, with the pull of gravity the arm tightens on itself:
Another safety trick that too many people don’t do correctly is with sandbags:
When placing a sandbag, you want to be sure that all the weight is on the leg of the C-Stand. Many people will secure a sandbag onto a stand but the base of the sandbag is on the ground displacing its weight onto the ground instead of on the stand. You can see here how all the weight is on the stand itself.
One of the most common uses for a C-Stand is to mount your light or strobehead onto it. There are a couple of different approaches to doing this. Depending on the 40″ arm you received with the C-Stand there might be a grooved slot to securely mount your strobehead to:
The Kupo stands and arms have that notch on one end of the arm. They also have great handles to grab and tighten the grip head with. Another method is to use a Grip / Light Pin:
They come in all shapes. Here’s the link to a Kupo Pin <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/863630-REG/kupo_kg002212_5_grip_arm_pin.html> You insert one end into the Grip Head and then mount the strobehead onto the knurled end for a secure mount. I prefer this method because it allows me to adjust the light on any axis. Regardless which method you use, when using your C-Stand as a boom:
Always be sure to raise the riser higher than a poke in the eye. Another way to adjust the C-Stand so that you don’t poke an eye out is to tilt the arm up then raise the riser:
This is by far the safest method to use.
Here are some other tools and uses for C-Stands:
The Baby Plate, you can read more about this great tool on my prior blog <http://photofocus.com/2016/01/12/no-sippy-cups-here-just-baby-plates/>. 
This dinosaur looking tool is a Cardellini. I just used this bad boy to hold a branch on the set for the background. They have different names depending on the manufacturer. Here’s a link <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/161307-REG/Matthews_420110_Matthellini_Clamp_2.html>. 
This one is referred to as a Maffer. I use these when I need to hold a prop securely on a set. Here’s the link <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5160-REG/Manfrotto_2909_2909_Super_Clamp_with.html>. 
This is called a Platypus and is great for securing large sheets of B-Board or foamcore. Here’s a link for it <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/139521-REG/Matthews_429042_Quaker_Clamp.html>.
Should you desire more info on Hollywood Tools you can view my video on KelbyOne, the link is right here <http://kelbyone.com/course/mkubeisy_hollywood_tools/>
Thank you for your time and reading my post.
That’s a wrap, fade to black.
Mike Kubeisy has been shooting celebrities in Hollywood for over 30 years as a Motion Picture and Television Stills Photographer. No photographer’s work is seen by more people than Mike’s work worldwide.
Mike is best known for his work on countless popular shows that are household names: CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, JAG, Boston Legal, Pretty Little Liars to name a few. His current projects are NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Mike is a Trainer for KelbyOne, and Los Angeles Center of Photography. Mike is also a member of the International Cinematographers Guild.
You can view Mike’s work at 4stills.com, and follow him on Facebook at 4Stills.
This Post Sponsored by:
Perfectly Clear for Photoshop or Lightroom is all about saving you time so you can focus on doing what you love best. Get a free trial of the award winning plug-in here.
The HDR Learning Center. Check out new ways to use High Dynamic Range photography to make compelling images. Free tutorials and posts to get results. Produced in partnership with HDRsoft
Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. For more than 30 years, Arizona Highway Photo Workshops has been committed to helping photographers find inspiring destinations, quality education and spectacular images. Get more information (and enter our contest) at http://www.ahpw.org/FindIt/
lynda.com Learn photography anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace—from bite-sized tutorials to comprehensive courses. Try lynda.com free for 10 days by visiting lynda.com/Photofocus
Filed under: Automotive, Boudoir, Cinematography, Commercial, Fashion, Food, Gear, Gear, Lighting, Lighting, Pet, Photography, Portrait, Technique & Tutorials Tagged: Celebrities, gear, Hollywood Photographer, Kubeisy, Lighting Techniques, Photofocus, Rigging, studio, Television, Tips and Tricks 
