Tripods

Camera Supports

Bean Bags

String Pods

Monopods

Tripods

Common Types of Supports

The Bean Bag

Can be purchased or made as a DIY project from materials that are readily available and to the size that is preferred.

The beanbag tripod is an excellent choice for outdoor photography. You place the beanbag down on the ground, on a rock, or wherever and it will conform to the shape of that surface. Then, you nestle your camera into the beanbag, adjusting it for the perfect angle. It's very easy to use, and provides a flexible, yet solid, surface from which to take your pictures.

The Bean Bag

The String Pod

Is constructed by connecting one end of a length of string to your camera, and the other end securely to the ground. Usually the ground end has a washer or nut on the end to step on with your foot.

When you pull the camera up and make the string taut, you've stabilized the camera. It's that easy!

A real tripod or monopod will always give you better results but this can aid in those places where other are types of camera support are not available or allowed.

The String Pod

The Monopod

The monopod is not considered a replacement for the tripod as the tripod will always be steadier for taking photographs.

The monopod is easier to carry, easier to move around, lighter than the tripod, less confining & quicker to set up.

They can easily be disguised as a walking stick &

therefore taken into & used in more places than the tripod.

Can be used as a steady cam

The Monopod

Using a Monopod

Option #1This is the weakest of all monopod options.

The Monopod

Option #2This is a very stable position. The rear knee is

bent slightly with the monopod pressing against the inner thigh.

The Monopod

Option #3This is another stable option with the monopod

again pressing against the rear inner thigh.

The Monopod

Option #4This is a monopod stabilizer pouch for those on

the go.

The Monopod

The Tripod

When your camera is attached to a tripod, you get photos that are razor sharp because camera shake has been reduced and/or eliminated.

Shake is not eliminated when the tripod itself is not stable or the platform that the tripod is placed on is not stable or the tripod/camera assembly is not used correctly.

The Tripod

The general rule of thumb for handheld shots is:

Take the focal length of your lens and use the reciprocal (1 divided by focal length) to determine the maximum safe shutter speed.

For a 50mm lens, 1/60th should be safe, but for a 300mm telephoto, you should only take hand-held shots with a shutter speed quicker than 1/300th of a second (although even that will be risky in breezy conditions, with unsteady footing, or with a heavy lens that is hard to hold steady).

The Tripod

In thinking about this general rule of thumb and handheld shots there are some things to consider:

There are some people with steadier hands and better camera holding techniques that can achieve somewhat slower shutter speeds but not truly slow shutter speeds.

The newer lenses with vibration reduction technology also assist in getting sharp shots with slower shutter speeds for handheld shots. This feature should be turned off when mounted on a tripod.

The Tripod

Some added benefits and reasons to using a tripod:

Using a tripod enables taking shots with long exposure times.

Having the camera fixed on a tripod makes it more difficult to take a shot. That might not seem like a benefit at first glance – but it is. Every shot you take requires at least some deliberation, and thus consideration of the scene in front of you in terms of framing and composition. By taking the time to adjust the tripod height, angle or position, you are giving yourself time for reflection and decision making on the shot.

The Tripod

The tripod will assist in taking a series of photos: At different angles to produce a panoramaAt different exposures for a high dynamic

range (HDR) pictureIn time lapse to create an animationTo produce a composite image, such as

including or excluding people in a crowd, or combining portions

Whenever you want precise control of composition

Setting up a shot prior to an occurrence such as a sporting event

The Tripod

How to use your tripod:

It is not as simple as some people think.

The Tripod

Find your composition before thinking about using the tripod.It takes time to set up the tripod. Walk around

and explore the subject from different angles. Look through the viewfinder and make note of the camera orientation when you have decided on the shot. Then begin to set up the tripod.

The Tripod

Extend the thickest legs first. This gives you the strongest legs for the

platform rather than the skinniest & weakest.

Adjust the height of the legs before spreading them. This helps get them to the same length.

Use the minimum height required. The higher you set the tripod the more wobbly

it will be.

The Tripod

If the tripod has a center column it should only be used for fine adjustments it is the most unstable part of the tripod. It should only be used as a last resort.

Always spread the legs fully apart from each other.This gives the maximum stability.

Point one of the legs towards the subject. This gives room to stand between the other 2 legs

and helps prevent tripping over the tripod.

The Tripod

Keep the center post vertical and perpendicular to the ground. This assists in keeping the top platform of the

tripod level.

Use the tripod collar on longer & heavier lenses.These lenses shift the center of gravity. Using

the collar evenly balances the weight of the camera and lens. It also alleviates the stress that would be placed on the camera lens mount.

The Tripod

Place a weight or heavy object on the bottom of center post.This adds stability in many conditions such as

in wind. Many tripods come with a hook but one can usually be added if it did not. Be careful though if the bag is shaking or hitting the legs you could lose stability.

The Tripod

Now that the tripod is set up with the camera mounted here is are a couple of important camera settings:

Turn of the vibration reduction system for your camera. If it is left on it can cause some camera shake.

Use the mirror lock up setting to prevent mirror slap which can cause vibration.

The Tripod

Considerations in the purchase of a tripod are:

Sturdiness & StabilityThis includes the number of leg sections, the material

from which it is manufactured and how thick the leg units are. The length of the legs and whether a center column is required for use or included should also be considered.

Tripod WeightOne should think about whether it will only be for

studio work or is it to be carried? If it is to be carried & is to heavy so as to cause fatigue it might be left behind and then will not available for use.

The Tripod

Ease of UseIt should not be too awkward, and should be quick &

easy to use. This ease of use also includes the type of tripod head that is chosen.

Number of Leg SectionsMore leg sections reduce the stability, but reduce the

size when fully contracted. It also means that it might take longer to fully extend the tripod.

Maximum Tripod HeightThis is important if you are tall because if the tripod is

short you could in an uncomfortable crouched position for an extended period of time.

The Tripod

Minimum Tripod HeightThis important for macro photographers and

people who require low vantage points in their photographs.

Contracted Tripod HeightThis is important to those persons who are

required to fit their tripod into backpacks, suitcase or other small spaces.

The Tripod

Other Considerations Regarding The Tripod:

The type of leg lock flip lock vs screw lock preference.

The Tripod

Availability of spiked feet make a difference when in the outdoors for gripping on those challenging terrains.

The Tripod

The type of head preferred.

Pan/tilt heads:Are usually found on cheaper tripods and are

slower & more difficult to useThe good ones are intended primarily for video

The Tripod

Ball swivel heads:Are generally more sturdy and stableAre preferred for general use & sports/action since

aiming and leveling can be accomplished in on instinctive motion thus quicker to use

The Tripod

Joystick HeadAre versatile, quick and easy to use. Just grip

the handle then you are able to position the camera anywhere in a 180 degree sphere.

The Tripod

The Gimbal Head

Balance camera and lens at the natural center of gravity. Balancing a large lens and camera on a ball head ends up fighting the natural tendency of the equipment to want to tip.

The Tripod

Virtual Reality and Panoramic Head

The Tripod

More accessories for tripod efficiency and ease of use:L-Brackets allows you to change from vertical

and horizontal positions and maintain the pivot point.

Camera Mounting System

Quick release camera plates allow you to work quickly and you can mount your camera very securely with less chance of slipping.

The Tripod

There are a variety of tripods available from large to hold heavy equipment at higher levels to small ones to hold lighter weights which can be placed almost anywhere.

The Tripod

Much of the information in this presentation was obtained from research on the internet at these websites and you can obtain more in depth and excellent material by visiting them:

The string pod. Make the world’s cheapest tripod at:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/145582/make_the_worlds_cheapest_tripod.html

How to use a monopod & the multi-purpose tripod at:http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

The Tripod

Using the tripod:http://www.weatherscapes.com/techniques.ph

p?cat=general&page=tripodhttp://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/c

amera-tripods.htmhttp://www.geofflawrence.com/photography_t

utorial_tripods.phphttp://www.digital-photography-school.com/ho

w-to-use-your-tripod-its-not-as-simple-as-you-think

http://cameras.about.com/od/accessories/a/How-To-Use-A-Tripod.htm

The Tripod