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How a water bottle can help you take better pictures (for real!)

By
Home Stager with Rooms That Work LLC

Check this out...a bottle that can double as a tripod!  It just snaps on a soda or water bottle cap.  I found it in Real Simple mag. 

Official Description: An idea so simple I'm wondering why I didn't think of it myself. A Bottle Top Tripod called "Snaps On A Bottle"! Need to steady your camera but don't want to lug around a cumbersome tripod? Just pop a Snaps On A Bottle into your pocket and you're all set. Incredibly convenient and guaranteed to help turn you into a master photographer (well, hopefully!). The Snaps On A Bottle screws onto a regular PET bottle. It has a height of 1.9 inches.

Click here to buy!

Bottle Tripod, $8

Comments (35)

Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing
Hey, way cool, Susan!  I love a lightweight tip.  I wonder if I can store the thing where I normally stash a Kleenex? <gr>  Isn't this rain great?  I've actually found the floor of my office... on one of the room!!
Jul 29, 2007 08:37 AM
Rhonda Hay Rawlins
Glastonbury Home Staging - Glastonbury, CT
Susan, great little tool. Love anything that is easily portable. Thanks.
Jul 29, 2007 08:51 AM
Margaret Ann Innis
Decorate To Sell - Merrimack Valley Real Estate Staging - Andover, MA
Real Estate Staging - MA & NH
Love it!  Just when I was going to stop drinking bottled water, too!
Jul 29, 2007 11:11 AM
Anonymous
Diana
Susan: What a cool gadget! I am going to order one now. Off topic, is that a Realestateshowns.com show on your sidbar?  I cannot figure out how to resize mine.  The box comes out huge! I emailed RES and they told me they can't be resized and here is yours at a perfect smaller size. Can you tel me how to do it? Thanks.
Jul 29, 2007 11:59 AM
#19
Susan Smith
Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT

Wow...I posted this article just a few hours ago, and just logged back in to see all the comments!  I guess I'm not the only one who loves simple, inexpensive and useful ideas!  Now, if only I can invent the next one...any ideas?

Now I haven't actually bought one yet...so whoever gets one first, please share your experience and your pictures!

Diana - I learned how to resize my RES from Maureen Henry in her blog.  She's pretty darn smart!!

Jul 29, 2007 12:48 PM
Kathleen Garvey
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Denver - Denver, CO
Denver's Neighborhood Expert - Listings & Sales
Interesting idea!!  For those of us who occasionally take the fuzzy photo, having an easy access to a 'tripod' such as a modified water bottle is something to consider!  Thank you! Regards-Kathleen
Jul 29, 2007 02:55 PM
Joddie Roberts
Mountain Real Estate and Property Management - Spokane, WA
Your Spokane Realtor - Spokane, WA
Well what will they think of next?!  I just might have to get one.
Jul 29, 2007 03:18 PM
Jo Potvin
Design To Market LLC - Cincinnati, OH
Home Staging Cincinnati - Design To Market
This is great...just another example of why I love Real Simple Magazine!
Jul 29, 2007 03:32 PM
Susan Buchanan
harvey & associates realty - Taos, NM
What a great idea!  For those "tack sharp" pictures.  I always have water in my car.
Jul 29, 2007 03:32 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

Clever Idea ... But thinking through the application, it does fall a little short. 

Where are you going to set the water bottle?  On the floor?  How many photos do you take from that angle?  Most likely you'll set it on a table or shelf --- and most likely the table (or shelf) is not in the best position to view the room.  So you'll have to ask the property owners to move their table ...... a light inexpensive monopod begins to sound a whole lot better when compared to moving someone's table. <s>

Jul 30, 2007 01:12 AM
Susan Smith
Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT

Susan B - little tip here...don't leave water in plastic bottles in your car if it gets hot...something about something bad from the plastic getting into the water.  Don't have details...but might be able to google it.

Cheryl, I agree that it's not great as a primary tripod for business use...but sure is a great fallback.  It was designed primarily for when you're out w/friends and want a pic of all of you, but don't have a tripod handy.  Just a fun little tool!

Jul 30, 2007 01:31 AM
Jennifer Wilson
Agent Solutions - Calgary, AB
Agent Solutions

That is ingenious. What a wonderful, portable, alternative. Thanks for sharing Susan.

Ciao!

Jul 30, 2007 03:41 AM
Julianna Hind
eXp Realty - Tacoma, WA
REALTOR, 206-679-4768, Tacoma Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, WA
Ok, now they just need a small port on the camera to store the thing, because inevitably, I would forget that too!
Jul 30, 2007 03:55 AM
Sheron Cardin
California Moods Inc - Selma, CA
ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!
This is the best idea since PB/Jelly on white bread with a big glass of milk! Thanks. Did you buy stock in the company before you posted this?
Jul 30, 2007 04:20 AM
Susan Smith
Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT
Ha ha ha...no, I didn't buy stock.  Too bad, huh?  Maybe Julianna will invent a carrying case for it, and we can get in on the ground floor. 
Jul 30, 2007 05:50 AM
Julie Rieman
All About Redesign Center - Lino Lakes, MN
All About Redesign Center AARC, IDS
Great item!  Thanks for the tip.
Jul 30, 2007 06:41 AM
Debi Wright
nwRealty.com - Seattle, WA
What a great help.  It would fit easilty into my camera bag too.
Jul 30, 2007 01:20 PM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

yeah really now why couldn't I think of that? great tip Susan - you're the photog girl of late!

Jul 30, 2007 02:15 PM
Susan Smith
Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT
Karen, I'm a closet photog...used to do a lot of dark room work with B/W film.  It's fun to start getting back into it again...and easier w/digital too!  And now w/my trick water bottle, I'm having a blast!
Jul 31, 2007 05:32 AM
Lori Hakeem Oxley
Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. - Tampa, FL
Great idea!!  Thanks for sharing this...I hate lugging around a tripod and I almost always have a water bottle with me!!
Jul 31, 2007 05:45 AM