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