| Using a tripod is essential when taking | | | | gadget allows you to mount your camera to |
| photos - and not just for night shots. To get | | | | your car window to take photos of wildlife |
| ultra crisp and sharp pictures, your camera | | | | while still sitting in the car.A Rock! Yes, |
| cannot move at all when the shutter is open. | | | | you can use any ledge as a tripod when you |
| In some circumstances, even the tiny | | | | need a sharp picture but don't have a tripod |
| movements your hand makes are enough to make | | | | handy. You can also use a small bean bag to |
| a slightly blurry image. The best way to | | | | steady your camera and lens if your camera |
| ensure your camera does not move is to use a | | | | doesn't stand upright by itself.Which should |
| tripod or other camera stand.On sunny days or | | | | I purchase?If you're just starting out, I |
| when you use a really fast shutter speed, | | | | recommend purchasing a standard tripod with |
| simply holding the camera in your hand will | | | | telescoping legs that stands full length (5-6 |
| still produce a sharp image. But there's | | | | feet). Make sure you get a sturdy (preferably |
| another reason for using a tripod on these | | | | all aluminum) model. Pick the heaviest model |
| occasions as well. Erecting the tripod causes | | | | you can carry around with you.Lightweight |
| you to SLOW DOWN and think a little more | | | | models are available, as are mini-tripods - |
| about the shot you're about to take. Because | | | | Perfect for portability, but they don't have |
| you're concentrating more, you'll have a | | | | the stability of the larger models.Using a |
| better chance of composing your image | | | | TripodMost of the time, you just setup your |
| correctly and ending up with a super | | | | tripod, place your camera on top and shoot! |
| shot.Types of Camera StandsTripod. This is a | | | | There are a few subtleties to using a tripod |
| three legged stand that attaches to the mount | | | | that can help enormously.- The longer the |
| on your camera. This is the most common type | | | | legs of the tripod, the less steady the |
| of mount to hold your camera steady, and | | | | tripod becomes. Extend your tripod legs only |
| allows you to move your hands away from the | | | | enough to enable you to get your camera into |
| camera completely and still have it steady in | | | | the correct position.- Sometimes the act of |
| position.Monopod. A variation on the tripod, | | | | depressing the shutter causes movement in the |
| this stand only has one leg. Attach the | | | | camera. To minimize this, use your other hand |
| monopod to your camera, stand it on the | | | | and press down on the top of the camera |
| ground and use your hands to ensure the | | | | directly above the tripod mount. This will |
| camera and stand don't fall over. This helps | | | | help to further reduce movement.- You're most |
| because the monopod stops the camera moving | | | | likely to need your tripod when your camera |
| up and down, and provides a rest for your | | | | is fully zoomed in. When fully zoomed in, any |
| hands so camera shake is reduced. For a bit | | | | small shake is likely to show on the |
| of extra stability, lean yourself, or your | | | | image.Other Tripod Secrets- Try to find a |
| camera against another sturdy object like a | | | | tripod with a built in level. The level will |
| light pole.Chainpod. An ingenious design | | | | help ensure your landscape shots are |
| consisting of a length of chain (or string) | | | | completely straight and save needing to |
| with a loop on one end large enough to place | | | | rotate the image slightly in your computer to |
| your foot into. The other end is attached to | | | | get a level horizon.- Specialized lenses are |
| your camera. To use a Chainpod, place your | | | | available that can compensate for camera |
| foot through the loop and pull your camera up | | | | shake. They are called "Image Stabilizers" or |
| so the chain is tight while taking your | | | | "Vibration Reduction lenses". They can be |
| photo. The tension in the chain will reduce | | | | rather expensive, so I recommend sticking |
| camera shake just like a monopod. The great | | | | with a tripod.- Try to get a tripod with a |
| advantage of a chainpod is you can crunch it | | | | quick release mount. This will enable you to |
| up and place it in your pocket!Dolly. This is | | | | quickly remove the camera from your tripod |
| a tripod with wheels (and brakes!). A dolly | | | | should you need to take a quick 'candid' |
| allows you to move your tripod around easily | | | | shot.David Peterson has a great love of |
| without needing to lift your camera, but it's | | | | photography and has created a series of free |
| not so useful outdoors when the ground is | | | | tips at to help digital photography users |
| uneven. There are dolly attachments available | | | | everywhere take better photos. |
| for regular tripods.Car Window Mount. This | | | | |