The Platypod in action

29-11-2025/in blog/by Frank Doorhof

We love the Platypod lineup for many reasons

But without a doubt, one of my favorites is the Platypod Maggrip, as a replacement for a tripod when shooting video.
Especially when shooting multicam or in tight situations, using a tripod can be problematic. The Platypod system is a great solution in these situations. Read more about the Platypod in action.

For an upcoming video, we are shooting some material with iPhones using the Platypod Maggrip to place my iPhone easily in interesting positions. Due to the small ball head, I can adjust the angle of the iPhone to make sure I get the angle I need.
Recently, Platypod released the Platypod Mag Deluxe Set which also makes it possible to charge your iPhone during filming, so you never run out of power during the vital moments.

Filming and charging my iPhone

That’s the cool thing about the Platypod system: it’s a fully modular system, so you can add almost everything to the Platypod base plate. When filming, for example, we use small LED lights via the extra mounting arms
But as you can see in the behind-the-scenes images, you can also easily mount a Nanlite PavoTube.

The angle the iPhone sees.

And the setup.

In this case, I’m using the Platypod with a Nanlite PavoTube connected on the Gooseneck.
In other words, it doesn’t have to be small lights, which makes the system very flexible to use.

Platypod in action. I use the Maggrip on the Extreme base, which also holds a Gooseneck for the Pavotube

Also want to add Platypod to your bag?
Check www.frankdoorhof.com/shop for the gear I use, including, of course, Platypod

Workshops

Want to learn everything about light control?
Want to visit a workshop where it’s not just shooting a model with a fixed lighting setup, but see how the setup is build and adjusted to the taste of the group?
And of course learn how to work with poses, backgrounds, small sets, styling, retouching and a lot more…..

If this all sounds awesome, visit fotografie-workshops.nl and book your workshop.
If you don’t speak Dutch, no problem, let us know a few weeks in advance and we can switch the workshop to English.
Not possible to travel to The Netherlands?
We got you covered with our 1:1 online workshop.
We have a full streaming setup in our studio. 4 detail cameras and of course the retouching software so you can see every detail and of course ask questions during the day. Plus you get all the RAW files after the workshop.

A game changer from Platypod

14-11-2025/in blog, News etc, Reviews/by Frank Doorhof

Some products are game changers, and so is the Platypod Mag Deluxe Set

And sometimes you don’t see it right away. Like with the Platypod Mag Deluxe Set.
As you may know, we are the distributor for several photography products, including IQwire, Rogue, ClickBackDrops, Geekoto, and, most recently, PlatyPod. For me, the products we carry must also be the ones I use in my own work. It doesn’t make any sense to advise gear we don’t start 100% behind.

“So, what makes our brands so special?” you might ask

Products designed for the photography market vs products designed by photographers for photographers

You have probably heard me saying it during livestreams and workshops a lot, and it’s one of those things you immediately notice when you start using your new gear. How often did it happen to you that you bought something amazing only to find out that when you get it…. well to say it gently it didn’t do what you wanted, and often you probably wonder “how could they release something like this?” or it just works but……

Enter the new Platypod product.

The Platypod Mag Deluxe Set

We do more and more with our (i)Phones.
We first bought a phone to make phone calls. Nowadays, you can create professional photo and or video, and audio recordings with almost every smartphone.
One of the biggest advantages of using smartphones is that they are small, run for a long time on a battery, and have loads of apps.
Because they are so small and easy to operate, you can place them in places where you would normally not be able to place a camera. But we need a lot more than just a phone.

For example, how do you make sure it stays put, even when there is some motion, how do you adjust the angle… etc.
Well, don’t worry, we have the solution for you.

With the Platypod Mag Deluxe Set, you get a complete setup for your iPhone, including a nice stable base. Not a small base like you see on so many chargers, but a nice and stable round surface that will keep your phone nice and stable. And of course, you can angle the phone with the included adjustable connector.
But that’s not all.

One of the biggest frustrations is charging

It is without a doubt the charging cable or weak MagSafe adapters.
We love using cases, and I don’t like to take my case off when using a MagSafe. With the Platypod Mag Deluxe Set, that is no problem, even with our thicker case, the iPhone was connected rock solid and charging.

And don’t even start about the charging cable.
They are always way too short. Meaning you have to use extension cables. And when using an extension cable, you, of course, also need the right connector. Next to your bed, you might need the older USB-A connector, but when using it for filming, you of course like to charge via USB-C.

The Mag Deluxe Set got you covered!
We deliver a removable (also such a thing! That should be standard but hardly is) 2 meters long cable with at the end a USB-C and a connected USB-A converter. This way, you can’t lose the converter and easily switch between different systems.

And for the Hollidays, we deliver everything for an awesome introduction price and a nice gift box.

Get the new Mag Deluxe Set now for only EU 69,95 in our webshop

We ship all throughout Europe (where you can also find all the other Platypod accessories).
The new Mag Deluxe Set is of course, fully compatible with all our other Platypod products.

So what can I use it for?

The use cases are endless.
Because the Platypod Mag Deluxe Set is compatible with all other accessories from Platypod, you can use it as a base for a complete studio.

But, you can also just place it beside your bed or working desk to wirelessly charge your phone and use the nice background options of the new iOS, and angle the phone exactly how you want it.
Thanks to the strong MagSafe and angling connection, it’s also a great tool for reading, or working on something while keeping your hands free (cooking, online meetings, webinars). Due to the stable base, you can still type and operate your phone with one hand, without being afraid you knock something over and, for example, end up with a cooked iPhone.

And of course, when using your iPhone for live-streaming, you never have to worry about running out of power. The 2 meters cable is for most situations more than adequate and will keep your iPhone powered for even the longest streaming sessions. When using the charging pad to charge, your port is free to mount other accesoiries.

in short… It’s awesome and the perfect gift for the holidays 😀
I just got mine and love it.

The Platypod Mag Deluxe Set here is in use in the kitchen. The USB charger is just right under the base

This product was introduced on Scott Kelby’s The Grid, episode 668. They mention us too (around minute 19)

Have fun with the wide-angle option on your iPhone or other smartphone

31-03-2024/in blog, Visions and technique/by Frank Doorhof

The Wide Angle lens on your iPhone

The wide angle is probably one of the most fun lenses. Period. yes i mean the Wide Angle Lens on your iPhone

That might be a very strong expression, but the wide angle is undoubtedly one of those lenses you can have a lot of fun with.
So for today’s blog post I decided to take some wide-angle shots while walking in the forest with Chewie.

The way it was intended… right?

Most of the time we use it just to get a wider view, and let’s be honest, it does really make a difference.

However, for me one of the cool things about the wide angle is not that it just gives you more of the scene. But the way the wide angle distorts.
Now normally distortion is of course a bad word (unless you play guitar :D) but you can also use it creatively.

For example, what about just holding your phone really close to a tree and just aiming it up? The trees will look huge and if you bump the contrast you get some really cool results.

Now it’s also sometimes cool to use the wide angle to include your own feet.
Think about the start of a big hike, or maybe you like a sign that you find on your route and you want to spice the shot up a bit. Why not switch to the wide angle and include your feet?

Now talking about signs and angles

Those are actually awesome for the wide angle.
But don’t just shoot them straight on. Try different “funky” angles! Shoot them top down, or just sit on the floor and shoot up.
Signs are great for this, especially with street photography I love to shoot street signs this way. (although they mostly from the bottom up of course).

Shooting my pet with a wide-angle

Of course, when walking with Chewie we also had to take some shots of him with the wide angle.
Now you can take a little bit of a distance and it will just appear Chewie has a really big head.

But it becomes so much fun when you get REALLY close up and personal.
Just beware that your phone doesn’t end up as a snack.

Cool selfies

Now I’m not going to lie, because I want to use the wide angle I can’t see the screen. So the following shots are 99% luck. But when you try enough times you will get some really unique selfies.
Let’s start with the phone on the floor with some leaves in front of it. You can also do this from a higher standpoint of course.

We loved this shot, but it was too easy to get right…. so we decided to throw in Chewie and be a bit more creative with the composition….. It’s not hard to guess, but most images were totally wrong (you can’t see the screen) but when it works… well it’s loads of fun as you can see here.

The wide-angle on your phone is fun

So the next time you use your phone. Use the Wide Angle lens on your iPhone, get close, and take some pictures for more creative shots.
As soon as you start using it you will find that even the most boring things can become really interesting, just due to the distortion and the different angles.

These shots were done with the iPhone 15 pro-Max on the wide-angle setting.
Editing is done in Adobe Lightroom Classic

A few years ago, the Digital Classroom was about Small Spaces and Wide Angles

Rock that Low and Wide Angle Blog about street and travel photography in the UK

Fashion shoot with Nadine, a blog about angles and more

Orchideeën Hoeve in winterstyle

20-12-2023/in blog/by Frank Doorhof

The Orchideeën Hoeve is a place very close to our studio/home where we often walk around with Chewie and of course always advise our foreign visitors to visit. It’s a wonderful and magical place all year through but in December it’s always very special.

Today in the blog no modelphotography but some images I took with my iPhone last night during a quick visit.
Hope you enjoy the impression.