Photography Tips and Tricks

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.

It is important to use the correct film, when taking pictures, so that you can get the clearest pictures possible. This is easy once you understand how film speed works.

What is Film Speed?

You may have seen a three digit number on film packaging and wondered what that was all about. Well, the number stands for the film’s speed, or, the measurement of how sensitive the film is to light. This is important because the longer it takes a camera to collect light for the film, the longer it takes the camera to take the picture. The longer the camera takes to gather light determines how clear you photograph will be.

Buying Film

So how do you determine how fast film is before buying it?

To find the speed of film, on the package of film it will say a number followed by ASA or ISO to indicate the film’s speed. The lower the number of the film, the longer it takes your camera to take the picture and the lower the speed of film, the more light you will have in your photo. For example, the package may say 800 ISO or 800 ASA.  This is a fast film because it has a larger number.

Speed Uses

Different speeds are used for different lighting situations and different movment.

200 ASA/ISO is great for taking shots where there is lots of light. Pictures can be grainy if the light is not really bright. The pictures will also be very blurry unless you use a tripod.

400 ASA/ISO film is one that can be your go-to film. If you are not sure of what kind of shots you may run into it is best to load 400 speed film. It is good for most situations, including those with movement, sun and lower light.

If you are taking indoor shots, such as a school play or a basketball game, you may want to choose a 800 ASA/ISO speed film. This is a pretty fast film that is best used in darker places with a flash.