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I'm regularly asked about the cameras, lenses, filters, etc that I use on a daily basis, so I thought it might be fun (and hopefully useful) to discuss some of these items. To cover every single piece of equipment is a pretty daunting task, so I'll tackle one item per newsletter. This month I'll cover the tripod, our trusty three legged friend.
The importance of a sturdy tripod cannot be understated. It keeps your expensive camera from crashing to the ground in strong winds, helps keep long exposures steady, and also forces you to slow down and survey the scene in a different way. A good tripod is expensive, so it shouldn't be seen as an afterthought to all the other equipment you purchase. You've spent decent money on your camera body, your lenses, maybe a camera bag to protect it all, so why skimp on the one item that can really help you improve your photography?
It slows you down
This doesn't sound like an advantage, why would we want to slow down? By slowing down, it forces us to think about our shot and plan in advance. We can frame the shot in the viewfinder, get the composition we want, without the camera moving in our hands. We can step back, and reassess without losing the composition. This way, we are more likely to capture something special. At the same time, we are able to make sure our horizons are level.
Perfect for low light situations
As soon as our available light is limited, be it night photography or a neutral density filter, we need to adjust our shutter speeds accordingly. This is where the tripod really comes into its own. It allows us to use slow shutter speeds without risk of movement, giving sharp results every time. Super long exposure shots used in astro-photography would be impossible without a tripod.
It helps get super sharp images
As the tripod keeps our camera absolutely still, we don't need to worry about any movement that can cause camera shake. This is especially important if we are using telephoto or macro lenses where any movement would amplified by the lens. It also allows us to optimise our depth of field for greater sharpness or use a slower shutter speed to blur motion.
Controls camera placement
We can place the camera precisely where we want it with a tripod, be it inches above the ground, on a steep hill, or in the surf. Best of all, it stays where we place it for as long as we want, allowing us to take a break, and return to the exact place it was before. This is particularly useful if we want to bracket our shots, or do architectural or interior shots, with slightly different settings.
I own and use a number of different tripods, depending on the situation. I have a Sirui which I use for travel. It's light and folds in on itself, making it really compact, but still incredibly sturdy. I have a Benbo which I use pretty much exclusively on the beach, as the legs are waterproof, meaning I'm not getting sand jammed into the workings when they slide closed. It's unwieldy and awkward, but it does the job. Finally, there's my monster Manfrotto, which I use for astro and landscape photography. It's a big tripod, weighs a ton, and is backbreaking to carry, especially as I insist on using a Manfrotto medium format head system on it, which weighs as much as a normal lightweight tripod. It gives me the results I want though, rock steady, extends up to eye level, so no bending down unless I want a different viewpoint. Nine times out of ten I have a tripod with me, and I usually find a use for it.
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