WRITTEN & SHOT ON iPHONE BY: STEVE HOLLOWAY
Camera & Light Kit Ideas
Before I write about iPhone camera and light kit ideas, I want to emphasize the ability iPhone has to create extraordinary shots straight out of your pocket.
Most of the images I create are captured using just my iPhone with and without a Beastgrip or SmallRig grip. I use my kit to find an unusual point of view, add to/supplement the natural light and to lock down the camera for long exposures.
My pack breaks down into four kits: Camera, Go Bag, Light Kit and Grip Bag.
When I started shooting on iPhone, I always felt like I didn’t have a firm grip on the phone, like it might slip out of my hands. Especially on a bridge, balcony or overhang.
My Beastgrip rig gives me the same grip as a DSLR. It accepts a quick release plate, Bluetooth shutter remote, accessory light and accessories like a multi arm.
[ IMAGE ] IPHONE 16 PRO MAX WITH SMALLRIG FILMOV KIT ALLOWS ACCESS TO DEDICATED PHOTO CONTROL.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Kit.
With the introduction of the 16 Pro Max, I added the SmallRig FilMov kit, phone holder and tabletop mini tripod.
One of my favorite kit combinations is to attach the camera to the handheld portable light stand. It collapses to 30in and extends to 6ft so I can get low angle shots looking up and high angle to extreme high angle shots looking down.
And I use it to attach the iPhone to a tripod for portraits, self portraits, table top and low light photography.
Camera Kit
- (1) BeastGrip Camera Grip
- (1) SmallRig FilMov Lightweight Photography Case Kit
- (1) SmallRig Metal Phone Holder with Arca-Swiss Support
- (1) Tabletop Mini Tripod with Panoramic Ball Head
- (1) Universal Aluminum Arca Swiss Clamp ¼”
- (1) SmallRig Video Monitor
- (1) Cold Shoe Adapter
- (1) Bluetooth Remote
- (1) Mini Tripod/Hand Grip
- (1) Tripod
- (1) Handheld Portable Light Stand for High/Low Angle Camera Positioning
I wanted a small, grab and go everywhere bag. A bag small enough that it doesn’t feel like I’m lugging a backpack around. My Go Bag is just big enough to hold two small LED lights, a Nebo flashlight, a few tools, the Beastgrip by itself so I can pocket the iPhone and, if needed, my iPhone with Beastgrip attached.
- (1) Go Bag
- (1) Lume Cube Panel Mini LED camera mount Rechargeable
- (1) Ulanzi VL49 2000mAh LED Video Rechargeable
- (1) Nebo Big Larry Flashlight
[ IMAGE LIGHT SOURCES SET UP IN NOOK ]
My light kit uses different light sources to adapt to different environments.
[ IMAGE TABLE TOP RIG ]
I have also started shooting table tops again and added a shooting table with an opaque white plexiglass top.
[ IMAGES BEAUTY DISH ]
I use a beauty dish for portraits and table top photography. Light from a beauty dish has the unique quality of providing a soft, flattering light that wraps around a subject. It can’t be matched for that quality.
The dish I use was originally rigged for electronic flash. I modified it with a simple COB LED work light from Amazon for a continuous source to use to shoot on iPhone.
You can rig a 30w beauty dish rig for under $250. For another $100 you can upgrade to a made for video SmallRig 60w COB LED in the rig.
- (1) 10.6in Round LED Light Panel
- (1) Rechargeable Battery Kit
- (1) Ruggard Padded Tripod/Light Stand Case 42”
- (4) 7ft Light Stands
- (1) 32in Reflector
- (1) 36inx48in Savage 5 in1 Diffuser/Reflector to use as a light scrim
- (1) RGB Handheld LED Video Light Wand Stick, 9 Colors, Rechargeable
- (1) 22” Beauty Dish
- (1) Buff Case
- (1) Flash Adapter
(1) Grip Bag
(6) Large Clamps
(2) Multi Clip
(1) Roll Duct Tape
(1) Smallrig Articulating Arm with Clamp
(1) 67mm to 82mm Filter Adapter Ring
How about less than $1,400.00 for a Camera Kit, Go Bag Kit, Light Kit and Grip Bag Kit?
Here is everything in my kit pack. Use it as an idea starter and build your kit based on what you shoot or would like to shoot.
Some of the items were ordered through B&H Photo but most were ordered through Amazon.
There are a few items I would add special notes to:
The Beastgrip comes with more options to adjust, hand hold, anchor and add accessories in a compact package than any other grip I’ve found. It includes a lens bracket that lets you position an auxiliary lens (like an anamorphic lens) if you decide to test/shoot with add on lenses. I’ve found the iPhone Pro lenses covered every subject I’ve encountered so I left that bracket off and opted for the grip only.
Smallrig accessories. If you’re looking for an accessory and find a Smallrig option, buy it. Every Smallrig accessory I’ve bought is well engineered, durable, works better than expected and cost less than expected.
My Bogen Manfrotto 3205 Tripod (above) shows the battle scars of being shipped, dropped, transported, handled, mishandled and used in every location condition you can imagine for 20+ years. And it’s still solid and dependable. So the $225.00 or so I invested has paid off. That said, one option would be to buy a less expensive model (I’ve priced a very affordable Smallrig model below) and see how they work in the field for you. You might use them for years or you might find additional features you need and won’t be over invested in the first purchase.
Camera Kit $515.72
(1) Camera Grip (Beastgrip $135.00)
(1) Cold Shoe Adapter (Smallrig Cold Shoe Extension $12.99)
(1) Bluetooth Remote (Sunpak Smartphone Mount and Bluetooth Remote $9.99)
(1) Mini Tripod/Hand Grip (Joby Handypod Mobile Mini Tripod with Mount $35.99)
(1) Tripod (My newest find is the SmallRig Camera Tripod with quick release plate $85.99)
(1) Handheld Portable Light Stand for High/Low Angle Camera Positioning (Jenbei HD-230 30.5in to 7.5ft Handheld Light Stand $39.99)
(1) Smallrig Ball Head ($7.99)
(1) SmallRig FilMov Lightweight Photography Case Kit ($34.99)
(1) SmallRig Metal Phone Holder with Arca-Swiss Support ($25.99)
(1) Tabletop Mini Tripod with Panoramic Ball Head ($44.90)
(1) Universal Aluminum Arca Swiss Clamp ¼” ($16.95)
(1) SmallRig Video Monitor ($64.99)
Go Bag $134.92
(1) Go Bag (Besnfoto Camera Bag Small $21.99)
(1) Lume Cube Panel Mini LED camera mount Rechargeable ($59.99)
(1) Ulanzi VL49 2000mAh LED Video Rechargeable ($22.95)
(1) Nebo Big Larry Flashlight ($29.99)
Light Kit $609.57
- (1) 10.6in Round LED Light Panel (Neewer $83.99)
- (1) Rechargeable Battery Kit (Neewer 2 pack NP-F 2600mAh $29.99)
- (3) Ruggard Padded Tripod/Light Stand Case 42” (3 @ $22.95ea)
- (4) 7ft Light Stands (Rigiorod 2 pack 2 @ $29.99)
- (1) 30in Light Stand (Linco Back Light Stand $15.99)
- (1) 32in Reflector (Aquirui $17.99)
- (1) 36inx48in Savage 5in1 Diffuser/Reflector to use as a light scrim ($40.99)
- (1) RGB Handheld LED Video Light Wand Stick, 9 Colors, Rechargable ($69.99)
- (1) Glow 20.5″ White Softlight Beauty Dish (Adorama 129.95)
- (1) Glow S-type Bowens Mount Bracket for Speedlites and Flash (Adorama $16.95)
- (1) Broncolor Beauty Dish (Bag B&H Photo & Video $49.95)
- (1) Anylight COB Led Work Light (Amazon $24.95)
LIGHT SOURCE UPGRADE (Not in Total)
(1) SmallRig RC 60B COB Video Light, 49Wh Battery 63W LED Video Light Amazon $159.20
Grip Kit $114.62
1 – Grip Bag (Search camera bags on Amazon and pick a bag that works with your kit, Prices range from $30.00 to $200.00, Canvas Camera Bag Waterproof DSLR Camera bag by TULLIO $25.99)
(6) Large Clamps (6ea Spring Clamps $12.99)
(2) Multi Clip (Manfrotto 2@ $15.38ea 30.76)
(1) Roll Duct Tape ($8.95)
(1) Smallrig Articulating Arm with Clamp ($27.98)
(1) 67mm to 82mm Filter Adapter Ring (Ice $7.95)
Total $1,374.83
Shooting on iPhone is the Perfect Portrait Tool.
Portraiture is One of My Favorite Disciplines. Pulling out a DSLR rig can be intimidating to some people. Shooting with an iPhone is just the opposite. People have gotten so used to selfies and smartphones that an iPhone is unobtrusive. So much so that a photographer blends in with what’s going on adding a level of spontaneity to capturing images.
This portrait of Brance Arnold for Road Portraits was captured using natural light on location. The cover image was photographed hand held in open shade. Captured on an iPhone 11 Pro Max with Beastgrip and Bluetooth release.
Jump to any Point of View how to guide, process deep dive or a pre iPhone portfolio plus how influences shape the storytelling process and a memoir that looks at the story behind the stories and to Nonlinear Content galleries and stories.
Introduction
Become a storyteller
Technology
- 02A Digital evolution.
- 02B Annie Leibovitz.
- 02C From Batman to the iPhone.
- 02D Henri Cartier-Bresson’s Leica.
- 02E Moving from film to digital to iPhone.
- 02F The self portrait series.
- 03A Working with light.
- 03B The scout.
- 03C Shooting during the golden hour.
- 03D Photographing people.
- 03E Details, shadows, shapes and textures.
- 03F Plate shots and reflections.
- 03G Feed your passions.
- 03H People and food, two favorites.
- 03I On the road.
- 03J Wall art (it’s not what you think).
- 03K Transitional images.
- 03L Night photography.
- 04B Assemblages and abstractions.
- 04C Change the composition of an image.
- 04D Color correction vs color grading.
- 04E Create motion with Live Photo.
- 04F Resize images and retain detail.
- 04G Software and skill building resources.
- 04H On device apps.
- 04I Offboard resources.
- 05A Two key iPhone features.
- 05B Camera and light kit ideas.
- 05C Copied on iPhone.
- 05D Learning post production.
- 05E Designing with type.
- 05F Learning from cinema.
- 05G The three lens solution.
