I thought it might be fun for all the readers at A Photo Assistant to get involved on a post and help me compile a list of all the different uses for gaff tape. Just take a moment to consider all the applications for gaff tape on set, on location, in the production van, and anywhere else you might find yourself assisting or shooting. Just use the comments section to share a predicament you found yourself in and was saved by our trusty friend, Mr. Gaff Tape. Just go for it!
I’ll start things off with some of the more common uses of gaff tape…
1. Tape cords, head-extensions cables, and other wiring to floor to prevent tripping.
2. Lay blocking markers on floor for models, actors, props.
3. Tape two 4×8 foamcores together to make a V-flat.
4. Tape gels and ND onto light heads.
5. Tape down seamless to floor.
6. Mark camera, light positions on floor when checking other lighting direction.
7. Lock off a position on a zoom lens.
Now your turn… share your normal, and crazy, uses for gaff tape!
Made a wallet out of duct tape once. It has lasted forever, of course and is shiny silver now.
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
Use gaff tape to separate a circular polarizer stuck on a UV (or any other screw on) filter. Wrap a piece around each rim (make sure you stick the rotating to the stationary rim on the CP) and viola! You’ll wonder why you were fussing with it for 10 minutes before.
I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor.
I used some black gaff tape to hide any recognizable logos/symbols on a black guitar. Just took an olfa knife and cut the tape the right shapes. Looks seamless from about 3 feet away!
I find its a great conversation starter. Leave a few pieces conspicuously attached to your clothing after a shoot and see what happens.
Makes for some interesting wardrobe options.
Use Gaffe tape to splint fingers or close deep flesh wounds, 2″ tape may be required; preferably black for optimal sympathy factor from the art director.
A little on-set chewing gum?
wrap around fishing line and use an “A” Clamp for re-positional rigging behind the set. Keeps the monofilament from slipping through the clamps pinchers. Very fast and easy
use it as a ad-hoc lint roller
Cover a brick with it. Call it a “brick”
labeling things… more professional than masking tape- which can actually be pretty useful itself. Blue painters tape is the cheeper cousin of Gaff.
I once had a photographer friend gaff tape his front bumper back onto his car after a car accident. He left it like that for months!
securing synch cords to packs and slaves
Securing repeaters to USB/Firewire cables and such. use white so people dont roll over them or step on em. Keeps the connection from coming loose.
Tape (white) to a pack and write down power settings.
Tape bin liners around the studio if needed.
Tie up mouthy hair stylists… the possibilities are endless.
I once strapped up my fractured wrist on Location and saw the rest of the week through.
Recently in Mongolia operated on a dog in the middle of nowhere and gaffered the stitches so it could not be scrached at…
While photographing a military promotion, I used gaffers tape stuck on itself (to bake double sided tape) to hold epaluttes onto uniforms since nobody had the Velcro fastened version or button open epaulettes. I think I used it to hold a micro-recorder in hiding on the podium once to capture audio for later use when writing a news release.