If you’ve ever (politely) pushed your way to the front of the crowd at a concert, there’s a chance you’ve safely stepped on cables fastened and concealed by gaffer tape. Originally named after film crew lighting technicians, gaffer tape is a heavy, tightly woven, vinyl coated cotton cloth tape with a matte finish designed with adhesive that removes easily and doesn’t leave residue. Unlike duct tape, it can be torn into pieces with straight lines using only your hands and can withstand temperatures as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for working quickly on production sets with professional lighting equipment. Plus, its moisture-resistant properties make it usable in humid conditions. Here are our go-to gaffer tapes and tips.

• Consider the size of the area or object you want to tape. Gaffer tape is available in widths from a quarter inch (6 mm) to four inches (102 mm), with 1 inch (25 mm) and 2 inch (51 mm) tapes being the most common. It can also be easily ripped into narrower strips by hand if needed.
• Although black gaffer tape is most popular, there are a plethora of color options so you can color code, label, and clearly identify equipment cases, luggage, boxes, and more. Bright neon tapes are also visible when lit under blacklight, perfect for theatre productions, concerts, and more.
• Everyone likes a long lasting roll of tape, which is why you should consider the length of the gaffer tape you buy. The average roll of gaffer tape unravels to a total of 30 yards, or 90 feet. Some rolls even extend as far as 60 yards (180 feet!) lasting you a very long while.

Our Picks for the Best Gaffer Tape on Amazon

Top pick: Shurtape P- 628 Professional Grade, Coated Gaffer’s Tape

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Most colorful: Gaffer Power Gaffers Tape

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Most versatile: XFasten Gaffer Tape Pro

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Also consider: Gaffer Power Premium Grade Gaffer Tape

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Popular Photography is here to help you choose among the most popular products on Amazon, and hidden gems our experts think are worth checking out.

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Ever wondered how some of your favorite photographers get that perfect light in their portraits? Well, they probably use a translucent photo umbrella to manipulate luminosity in one way or another. Translucent umbrellas are one of the best ways to create a soft lighting effect over your subject. Also known as shoot-through umbrellas, translucent photo umbrellas diffuse light over a large area, allowing you to control light and shadow. They come in handy for portrait work, as you can place them closer to your subject than other umbrellas. Also, they’re easier to set up than reflective umbrellas, making them attractive to newer photographers. The downside is that they’re generally cheaply made and don’t stand up well to wind or wear and tear. Here’s what to consider when shopping for translucent umbrellas.

• Durability. If you’re working in a studio, you probably aren’t going to run into too many issues. But wind, rain, and any sort of physical pressure can easily destroy translucent umbrellas. If you’re shooting outside or traveling with your equipment, look for umbrellas made with stronger frames and premium material.
• Size. Depending on your needs, you can choose from translucent umbrellas that come as part of a full lighting kit or solo models that you can easily carry and stow. Also, think about the size of the umbrella itself. Bigger models can diffuse light over a greater surface area.
• Experimentation. Affordable lighting packages, which are commonly sold on Amazon, are a great way to get the tools to experiment with lighting without setting yourself back too much. Play with translucent and reflective umbrellas to see what they can do for your photos and videos. You can always invest in upgrades of your favorite tools down the line.

Our picks for the best translucent photo umbrellas on Amazon

Best Overall: Neewer Diffusion Umbrella

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Runner Up: Neewer Translucent Photo Umbrella

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Great for Beginners: Emart Photography Lighting Kit

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Budget Pick: LimoStudio Translucent Umbrella

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Popular Photography is here to help you choose among the most popular products on Amazon, and hidden gems our experts think are worth checking out.

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It is estimated that 40 billion alkaline batteries are thrown each year worldwide. Although the up-front cost of rechargeable batteries is higher than that of traditional alkaline batteries, the long term investment is worthwhile. Unlike disposable batteries that start with 1.5 volts and decrease over time, rechargeable batteries consistently deliver 1.2 volts. With proper maintenance and care, some rechargeable batteries can recharge nearly 2,000 times over a lifespan of two to seven years, creating less waste, reducing environmental impact, and removing the insistent need for single use batteries. Overall rechargeable batteries have a higher performance capacity than regular alkaline batteries.

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Always keep in mind a battery’s material make-up. The most common and widely used rechargeable batteries are lithium-ion (LiOn), though nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries used to be quite prevalent and are still on the market. LiOn batteries are typically more expensive, but they avoid the “memory effect” that can shorten the lifespan of their NiCd counterparts.

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Consider the milli-Amp-hour (mAh) and capacity retention rate of energy in your rechargeable AA batteries. Some batteries retain 90% of their capacity after 1 year and 80% after 3 years. Even after being stored for ten years , some rechargeable batteries still retain 70%.

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Most rechargeable batteries come pre-charged and ready to use right out of the box, but you should also make sure your batteries can be recharged when fully or partially drained. Those that can’t are said to suffer from the “memory effect,” which means if they’re recharged when the batteries still have some energy left in them, they won’t be able to use that much energy on their next use.

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