As Photographers we are always on the lookout for new tools to help assist us in our creative endeavors. We search for better ways to enhance our photos, so they stand out from the rest and always trying to capture that special angle or create a different view or perspective. As photographers we never stop searching for equipment, always checking out that new gadget. One tool I bought over a year ago was a ground plate; this ground plate in theory allows a photographer to lay flat on the ground with the camera mounted to a ball head and crawl as you push the plate with camera into position. This device would give you the ability to obtain ground level photographs of your subjects: Example- Birds on the shore, in the grass, low level micro work; you get the idea. It's a great concept, but like everything else it can be improved upon.

After this new piece of equipment sat around for about a year, I decided to try it out one day at Jamaica Bay Queens. The plate did in fact work; it held the camera and I was able to push it into position, but it had a few flaws that needed to be corrected at once. My main concern of course was protecting my gear. After visiting Jamaica Bay and a second try at Jones beach both times photographing shorebirds, I found that the sand or Mud would pile into and around my Arca Swiss Ball head; this was not a good thing. The main cause was due to the fact this device has no sides; when pushed forward or moved side to side it cuts into the surface it's placed on.

Second issue is room; there is none. After crawling about 25 yards, I found I wanted my 2X converter and had no place to carry it while protecting it form the mud or sand. Being flat on your stomach makes it hard to wear a camera vest and keep the sand and mud out of everything (But that's another story).

Don't get me wrong, if you were on the grass it would be fine, nothing to spill over the edges, and you could put all of your extra equipment right next to you. But on the sand or mud, I don't think so. Now it was time to figure out a better way without spending more money then needed.

After seeing a few homemade ones, a friend suggested a cutting board with sides added. It's a good idea but not what I was thinking about. Also, wood is heavy. Then I thought about a Rubbermaid basin or something along those lines., Thinking I had one in the storage room, I spotted the next best thing. Now uou may think it's funny but coming from an Italian home I knew one was hiding somewhere; and by the way it works great and only cost about $17.00 to $25.00 on sale. If you do not already have a ground plate, they make very thick pans almost 1/8 that are very strong and will support a 600mm lens.

Yes, the holiday Lasagna pan - it's ok, laugh, I did. I thought it was the funniest thing I ever did, but it works and that's the bottom line. Ok, now that the cat is out of the bag, I will explain. First I had to drill 2 holes through the original Ground plate; you then mount your Ball head or Wimberley Head to the Plate. At this point, you take the whole assembly and using stainless steal screws mount the ground plat to the Lasagna Pan. I also added tub corking around the screws to prevent water from entering. If you need more height, you can modify by shimming up the mounting plate. You could mount the ball head directly to the pan but you may find it's not stable. It has plenty of room for extra equipment (I lay a towel on the bottom) nothing comes over the sides and it glides through the sand and mud and the best thing is it's cheap and easy to find.

Try it out you will be surprised to find it's a great addition to your arsenal of equipment. Good luck and happy shooting.

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