18 Jan 01

You're probably wondering "what's up with the title?" Lots of people speculate on what's more important in photogarphy--lenses, film, technique, or even tripods. I won't say what's the most important thing but the second most important has to be the tripod. Sure, it doesn't have to only be that three legged contraption that steadies your camera. It can include all those nifty accessories that enhance your tripod's capabilities. It can even be a none tripod--the mono pod. I'm talking about anything that will steady your camera.

My first was the Bogen 3021. It's an common setup that's fairly economical and does a pretty good job for it's low price. I think it ways in at fairly low price for the capability. I know it won't support the biggest camera or it ease the shoulder pain after a long hike. But, it get a new photographer going with one of the most basic tools in photography.

I've done lots of research on photography techniques during the last couple of years and a common thread through all my readings was the importance of using a tripod. Sure, with today's technology with advanced lenses and fast film tripods don't seem to be of much use. Why should I have to deal with the pain of carrying such a painfully difficult apparatus around? Why can't I just compose the image and snap the picture? There's there are a lot of reasons and I'll touch on a couple here. We'll assume you understand why it's important when you're shooting at very slow speeds so these are reasons for using a tripod when you don't physically have to.

1- A tripod will slow you down. If you remember images off all the great masters--Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, and such--they're lugging around huge cameras on impossibly large tripods carefully composing their images. So what if you're only using a 35mm camera. The same concepts they use in perfecting a composition apply with your camera. Being meticulous and a fanatic for detail seems to be inseparable with tripods. Shoot, patience is a prerequisite in order to finely adjust these things. Their use seem to force photographers to recall images of being one of the great ones taking their time and thinking about what their next image will look like. I kind of believe it facilitates a photographer to make carefully thought out pieces of art instead of simple snapshots. Using a tripod means you're not relying on speed and the result is much more important than the speed in which it was composed.

2- A tripod will hold your camera. Duh! might be coming to mind right now. Why would I say that? Even though you're only using a simple 35mm camera, wide-angle zoom, and maybe a power-booster why do you have to carry that all the time? Take a load off! I'm talking when out in the field, there are so many times when the "pain in the neck" starts to take over and you being to curse the pain on old age or other problems. The solution isn't a fountain of youth! It's simple common sense. No one wants to lay their camera on the ground when there's a pause in the action. Instead of carrying it all day over your shoulder, try putting it on a tripod so that when you've finally stopped to shoot that image, it's carrying your load instead of your shoulder. Trust me it adds up. Another good reason is have you been there for the ultimate in action only have to hurry up and wait? There's nothing better than having your equipment setup on a tripod, pointed in the right direction waiting for the action to start. Though it's less obvious and even if it's only for a moment, relieving a five pound force off your shoulder will do wonders for anyone's posture. It does to mine.

3- A tripod will steady the most unsteady hand. Okay, it won't do miracles but it will go a long ways toward eliminate soft images due to a bit of camera shake. I think this is particularly important with very long lenses. Anything over 200mm is incredibly susceptible to that dreaded condition--"camera shake". I was rudely introduced to this a couple years ago when I bought my first telephoto of any stature, the 300mm f/4 ED-IF. I had read enough material to be warned of this condition but I was surprised when I got my first slides back. They were slightly soft. Was there something wrong with my new lens? Was this lens' legend of incredible sharpness overstated? No, everything was fine. I just wasn't applying my long lens technique correctly. I've got a whole article here on how to properly use those long lenses. A proper tripod is critical to this technique. I originally used a Bogen 3021 which is entirely well suited for lenses smaller than my 300mm f/4 ED-IF. Anything larger is a bit too big. Its legs are a bit too flimsy when they're extended for the big lenses. No matter how well you apply your long lens technique, soft images will be inevitable. A more robust tripod such as my Gitzo 410 is useful for your super-telephoto lenses.

There are many ways a tripod will contribute to your photography. The three I listed are just a few. My most important message is just get out there and use one. Before you know it, your photography will be taken to new heights.

Cheers

Tom