Some good Reasons/Times for Tripod Use
Here's our top 7 reasons & times using a tripod is recommended
- When taking night time shots, sunrise and sunsets, natural lighting is reduced and so to get more light into the lens, the photographer (or automatic mode camera when set to the Night setting) will adjust exposure and shutter speed However, with a slower shutter speed, there is the risk of camera shake which results in unwanted blurring. A tripod will reduce camera movement and improves picture quality, helping you take the perfect sunrise or sunset. Remember, cameras with image stabilization or vibration reduction are just that. They REDUCE the amount of shake, they do not eliminate it all.
- When you are taking close up shots. Taking photos of small objects close-up can require a lot of skill, and minor movements will be crucial to a perfect image. Also, everything is magnified including movements. Using a tripod will noticeably reduce unwanted movement of the camera.
- When you are taking action shots and doing sport photography. Panning is vital in taking stunning action shots as it allows you to really capture the movement. Having a sturdy tripod with a good fluid type head makes panning much easier and more fluid.
- When you are using a telephoto lens. Telephoto lenses tend to be difficult to steady. Their long focal length magnifies any vibration caused by the camera shutter and mirror, wind, or by the photographer themselves. Their slower maximum aperture also causes a frequent need for slower shutter speeds which exacerbates the problem even more. A good rule of thumb for deciding whether hand-holding a telephoto lens will cause you problems is that a shutter speed of at least 1/ the focal length is required for a sharp picture. For example, if you are using a 500mm. lens the minimum shutter speed you would normally need to use without a tripod would be 1/500th second. When using a shutter speed slower than this simple rule of thumb suggests, a tripod is in order. A good tripod will help steady your camera and ensure sharp pictures.
- When you are doing nature photography, you're often using a telephoto lens (so #4 points apply). In addition. you can be waiting around for hours for animals to make an appearance that might only last a few seconds, so you need to be ready. You want to have your camera on a quality tripod in order to do so and get those great nature shots.
- When you need to be creative. Last but not least, a tripod can really help by making you slow down and think about the shot you are taking and getting the framing right. With a tripod you can also get your camera into places you sometimes can't. Some tripods have the ability to let you place the camera anywhere from just inches off the ground to way above eye level. The taller your tripod, the stronger it should be. Not everything should be shot at eye level. Don't shoot down at children as they will have the appearance of dwarfs. When you're in the studio, the tripod frees you from the camera, and allows you to concentrate on the lighting of your subjects knowing that the camera is both secure and in the right place. Also a great idea to get a wired or wireless remote when shooting with a tripod.
- When you need to be flexible. Tripods don't just hold cameras, they can hold camcorders and also serve as a light stand that holds flash units, slaves, and reflectors. Using a tripod when using a camcorder will dramatically help picture quality as it will allow you to pan smoothly making your movies look much more professional.
Yes, using a tripod involves a little more work, but the best usually does require a little more effort. Why have a great camera and lens and then get less than great photos?
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