I spent $20 USD for a prop one time. Fully intended to take the picture and return it (even told the clerk as such, she understood), then I broke a teeny weeny piece of it. Wasn't noticeable, but I would have felt bad about returning it. A nice decoration, anyway.
Then, there's those hundreds of pencils I've got. When are we going to have Pencil - Revisited, anyway? ahhah
At the time I did my Liquid challenge entry, I probably spent about $25. But a lot of that was on reusable stuff - a couple of desk lamps for lighting, some materials for light diffusion, several backgrounds. The corn syrup was about $3. Several other challenges I've also spent under $5 a pop, for macaroni, cracker jacks, bacon, screws....
My friend had to do a product shot for a class. She went to a jeweler, bought a $2500 watch, shot it then returned it. She told them what she was planning to do, and they were OK with it.
I just spent $197 (USD) for the National Geographic challenge see:
I'm going straight to HELL! This was for a camera when I saw my photo but had left the camera at home. I'm going to return it this weekend, tho. 8-) I think it was well worth a temporary investment...and that's all that matters.
I like your shot very much surprised it didnt do better!
Thats even way to funny buy a camera for one picture!
but you know they they oughta have a test a camera or even software before investment anyways (customer satisfaction guaranteed) some stores dont allow return of software when opened or used and that stinks.
anyways I have bought a couple of poster boards $.33 amd I have plans to by some extra lights and material for background.
