Sultana Sandwich

So I've been meaning to write this article for weeks now, but I'm just not quite sure how to convey my love for gaffer tape without sounding like an absolute looney.

Gaffer tape is an essential tool in every photographers bag, no matter where you are in your photographic career, if you don't currently own any gaffer tape, go get some right this second. Sure it's probably the most expensive tape on the market, but here are a couple reasons to justify that 8 quid (20 bucks);

• No unwanted residue
• Doesn't damage expensive equipment
• It can be restuck a couple of times
• Incredible hold/staying power
• Really easy to tear
• Always tears at perfect right angles
• Looks incredibly cool and professional ;-)

Above are just two reasons to have gaffer tape kicking around in your kit bag, first up is gaffering your focal length and or zoom rings into position, leading to a rock solid framed image. You'll see this mostly when sports photographers trigger their cameras remotely. I've used it here for making sure nothing moves about while shooting a composite image.

Second, gaffering a CTO gel to a softbox, not sure if this is the best way about gelling a softbox, but it worked a treat for me. Once gelled I could throw the front diffuser on and and shoot away. Only thing I'd mention in this case is to make sure the head has enough breathing room, wouldn't want that sucker melting all over it.