This entry was posted on Friday, April 4th, 2008 at 7:34 am and is filed under An Introduction to Digital Photography, SLR Tips for Beginners, The Basics of Photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Whether it is a digital or an SLR, a tripod can be the single most important accessory you buy for your camera. You will come across more and more uses for a tripod the longer you take photos.
If you are new to photography, here are some typical things you will need a tripod for and the different types of tripods.
Camera Shake
Camera shake is like kryptonite to photographers. It happens when the camera is set to take pictures in low light, long exposure, zoom, or timer mode. It produces blurred, low quality pictures. The best way to avoid camera shake is to use a tripod. Tripods keep your camera perfectly still so that it can take a picture without movement.
Tip: Make sure to use the timer when using a tripod because even your finger depressing the shutter button can create camera shake.
Portraits
If you are the photographer in the family there probably aren’t many pictures with you in them. Tripods solve this problem. Simply set up the tripod with your camera attached and preview the shot. Then, set the timer and depress the shutter button. Run to your spot in the picture, pose, and Presto! You finally have a photo with you in it!
It may take some practice to get your timing just right, but soon you will be able to take family portraits and self portraits with confidence.
Types of Tripods
There are three types of tripods: the basic tripod, the tabletop tripod and the monopod.
The basic tripod is what you see most photographers using. It has three legs that telescope to varied heights. They collapse very easily, but are hard to carry around if you have limited bag space.
The tabletop tripod is very small and portable. They are around four inches in size and collapse just like the bigger tripods. Photographers love the fact that you can stick a tabletop tripod in a camera bag. The downside is if you have nothing to set the pint-sized tripod on you’re pretty much out of luck for most shots.
The monopod is a mix of both worlds. Monopods have only one leg that telescopes to various sizes. It is very portable, but gives the photographer a full sized support. Fully collapsed, the monopod is about the size on a travel umbrella.
Try going to a camera shop and take a look at any floor models they may have. Then, think about where you will be using a tripod. Which tripod you choose depends on your needs.