If you’ve ever wrestled with a light stand that insists on toppling over every time a breeze kicks up or the ground isn’t perfectly flat (so… every outdoor photo shoot ever), you’re going to love this. Meet the “Screw This Light Stand” – the DIY light stand solution that’s as practical as it is perfectly named.
Instead of balancing your C-stand on uneven grass, gravel, or sand – or simply praying it doesn’t tip over onto your subject – the Screw This Light Stand lets you literally screw your lighting setup into the ground. It’s built around a simple but sturdy umbrella holder that anchors securely into soil, sand, or other soft surfaces. From there, you can attach a boom arm of your preferred length to hold lightweight lighting gear such as reflectors, small flashes or strobes, diffusers, or even compact modifiers.
While it’s not designed to handle massive studio umbrellas or heavy lighting units (please don’t test the laws of physics here), it’s a lifesaver for solo photographers working outdoors. It provides just enough stability to confidently position your light where you need it – without recruiting an extra pair of hands or chasing runaway stands across a field.
Compact, lightweight, and brilliantly simple, the Screw This Light Stand is one of those DIY tools that makes you wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner. It’s perfect for travel shoots, outdoor portraits, or any location session where traditional stands just don’t cut it.
So next time you’re shooting on a hillside, beach, or patch of stubbornly uneven ground, skip the frustration. Just grab your gear, find your spot, and, quite literally, screw this light stand.
What You Will Need to Make Your Own Screw This Light Stand
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- Screw In Base
- A long boom arm to screw into the base, such as this one, for key lighting or diffusers on taller subjects
- A short boom arm for back lighting or for key lighting smaller subjects, like flowers or squirrels. Find an example here.
- Reflector / diffuser with tilting adapter mount
- Works well with speedlites or compact light units such as the Godox AD100, AD200, or AD300.
Mix and match lights, modifiers, and boom arms to create a wide variety of lighting options!
What do you think of this DIY photography lighting project? Tell us on Instagram or Threads – let us know if you tried it or what type of DIY projects you would like to see in the future. Or browse more DIY photography projects in our archives.
