Tripods are great but they're bulky and, unless you have a more expensive model with a reversible mount, it's impossible to get a shot from the ground. A camera bean bag is a small, portable, and stable platform for your camera.
Instructables user motadacruz wanted a cheap and portable way to stabilize his camera which ruled out purchasing an expensive tripod and lugging it around. Using materials he had around the house—basic fabric, a needle and thread, dried peas for filler—he crafted a simple bean bag to rest his camera on. You should be able to scavenge the materials you want for free or next to free. Even if you don't have the raw materials laying around you can get a needle, thread, piece of scrap fabric and some dried beans to use as filler, for under $5.
Check out the link below to see the full guide. Have your own tip, trick, or DIY photography project to share? Let's hear about it in the comments below.
DIY Camera Bean bag [Instructables]