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