Seven photographic hacks, one short video

I’ve used the string before, but never from both feet. Another steadying DIY device I’ve used quite a bit, is a small fat bean bag, and a short 12, or 18 inch bungee cord. Place the bean bag on the post, fence rail, tree, or whatever you find, then the camera goes next, keeping the bean bag between the object, and the camera, then strap it all down with the bungee cord wrapped around everything. The bean bag makes it possible to steadily adjust the direction the camera points, rather than depending on the angle of the post. Finger pokes to the bean bag do wonders in adjusting the direction the camera points. This works real good on round, or irregular surfaced posts, and trees, but the bean bag has to be fat so it doesn’t flatten out in the middle leaving nothing except cloth between the camera and the supporting object. Focusing is best achieved by going manual, then use remote shutter release, or the camera’s timer.