25 June 2025

Turtles, Bugs and Banners (oh my) + DIY Photography Goodies

Hello Boogerbutts. 

Check out my GIANT photography soft box. It's HUGE. A light goes inside and shoots out. The fabric diffuses the light, creating a larger spread over the subject. Soft boxes work with continuous light (the lightbulb that stays on), or a flash, that fires when the shutter button is hit. Both methods have pros and cons. Then there's natural light. My all time fave.

However, over the last two months it's all about the flash. 

And I love it.

A lot. 

Like a lot, a lot, a lot. 

Know what else I love? DIY.

Dig this V-Fold I made or V-Flat if you fancy. This one is black and it absorbs light. Helps create dark and moody vibes. The goal here was to make it with ONLY dollar tree items. Total cost: $7.50 (pre-tax). Not too shabby. And, later if I wanna add white to the back, that's an easy fix, for not a lot of money. Best part, it folds away, which for small spaces, works.

And that's the goal. Using stuff that fits for the space and the photos I'll take AND not over-spend on things that can be easily made. That said, last night I ordered two more smaller soft boxes plus a tool that may allow me to make my own foldable soft box as well. 

Pretty cool.

In other news, think I'll toss a new banner up as well. Really, it's Summerween time only I don't have a cartoon done for that. So fun. Summerween. Ha! Love it. For now, here's a follow-up photo from the last flower to her new stage. That's what's fun about photo walks, seeing nature in stages.

Speaking of photo walks, dig these guys. Found the turtle under the stairs and the bug inside, though took her outside for a beauty shot. 

Up next, get outta my jammies, find grub, hit the post and then two stores for a few more DIY photography goodies! Got a gift card to Starbucks so I'll probably get a drink too. Oh yeah, life is fun. 

Chat again soon. 

Huggs & Bugs, Me.






39 comments:

  1. I love the turtle photo! Have a great day.

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  2. I am so impressed! The photos are fabulous. And I can't believe you built that for $7.50. Good job, you!

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    1. Thanks, Mari. The black foam board from the dollar store made the price stay good and low.

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  3. What great photos! So artistic! And now I even know what a Soft Box is!

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    1. Hey Debra! And TWO more on the way. Thanks about the photos! Happy Weekend.

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  4. Love the photos, especially the big. Enjoy the rest of the week.

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    1. Thanks, Marie! So fun. That little bug was running all around. Then I found another a different day. Fun. Happy Walking and shooting to you too!

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  5. you get Four AWESOME S! one for each of the photos and that wonderful box. wish I were close by so I could come see the fun and maybe have some fun too.
    LUV LUV LUV the black dark photosl wooooo whooo

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    1. That would be fun! Thanks, I love dark shots too. That little turtle was almost too far under the stairs but in the end, I was able to shoot. Hope you're keeping cool. Be about the blogs this weekend to catch up on your adventures.

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  6. My photos look like doodoo compared to yours.

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    1. Noooooo, no doodooos. You're funny but nooooo. I betcha they are not doooodoooo.

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  7. Wonderful photos! I don't really understand the photography talk... I only use a cell phone. but I'm impressed with your work. Looks like whatever you built is successful!!!~

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    1. Mobile phones are fun to shoot from too! Thanks, I'm enjoying the new space. Waiting on one more package to arrive.

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  8. That's a huge light.
    Your new banner rocks!

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    1. It's a big soft box for sure. A smaller one arrived today and another smaller one arrives soon. Thanks, Alex for the nice words about the banner.

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  9. That is a huge photo box. But those are great close ups of the turtle, dandelion and bug.

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    1. Hi Erika. For my space, yes, that soft box is a BIG one. Two smaller ones to be up and running soon. Happy Weekend and boogie boogie.

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  10. Love the turtle (tortoise?) and the bug and your dandelion too.

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    1. Hey River, I really don't know the difference between the two. Was fun to see though. Thanks about the bug and dandy.

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  11. I'm all for DIY especially if the items come from Dollar Tree. It's very satisfying making something useful with inexpensive items. Your photos look amazing.

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    1. Agreed. It's wildly fun and the savings went toward other camera kit. Thanks about the photos. Be over on the blogs soon to catch up on your creations.

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  12. Excellent job on your DIY. The photos are stunning.

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  13. Fantastic photos and ingenuity, Ivy.

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  14. DIY is always a good thing as you have shown us once again, Ivy. I liked the soft box and the V-flt looks so nice and so inexpensive, win win. Great closeup of the bug and nice that it posed for its portrait.

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    1. Thank you, Beatrice! I really love making fun things that don't cost a million smackers. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. PS: That little bug was running all about and then the next day another one showed up. Very fun.

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  15. A lovely happy post.
    That photo box is BIG!
    Fabulous photographs of the turtle, dandelion and bug.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hey Jan! Thanks for stopping in today! Though of you the other day when I made turnup shoe strings and fries. They need some work on my part. But this did remind me of you and your hubby and the low carbin' it.

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  16. Hey girl....so sorry, I have been so super swamped with tending to all kinds of appointments for Sam and several trips to Dallas....I've barely had time to blog. I love all of your neat equipment and I also love how you are going big time. Honestly, I've not even had a chance to think about the type of camera I am looking for...Maybe in a few months I will have time to study my options. Take care and have a super duper fun weekend.

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    1. Hey Shug. Hope things are going well with your and Sam. Be about the blogs soon to catch up on your work your doing to help him. I love how much you love him! That's the best.

      When you're ready and know the budget I can help you find the camera you want. But I'll for sure need to know the budget and if you want mirrorless or not mirrorless. You have a year I think yes still before it's time to use the new camera? Might even find some Black Friday sales if you wait until then.

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  17. Your photos are great and love them all but that little insect is so cute! Great macros. Fun to see your new photography gadgets. That is a big photo box and I would say the possibilities are endless. I know you are going to have a lot of fun with them.

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