Tripods?

[dc2]

Tripods are essential in certain circumstances but in situations where time is tight [ie the last wedding I shot they had a videographer so we were taking turns getting the best positions and the weather was freezing so none of the people wanted to be outside longer than needed ] I find these cotraptions slow you down
and wondered whats your secret using these ? is it just practice practice and a bit more practice or do have a certain techniques you could pass on ?
Constructive thoughts appreciated on this.

[Michele]

Tripods can either take a long time to set up, etc or can take a very minimal amount of time. When I am in a situation that is tight for time, but I know that I need to use my tripod to get the shot I want, I will leave my camera on my tripod securely and when I am ready to take the shot all I have to do, is set the tripod down on ground/floor, open legs (legs will already be extended) and set the camera as you would holding it. Basically the only extra steps is putting tripod on ground/floor and opening legs. Setting camera up for shot, you have to do that hand holding it so that won't be an extra step. Then take pic. You don't want a tripod that has the bars that connect the legs together around. You want the free legs (if that makes sense). Excuse my less knowledgeable vocabulary in this area.

Hope this helps.

[Mr. Pickles]

Kind of agree with Michele on this. Can you use a Monopod in these situations? they can be very handy, but limit your steadiness a bit (or at least it does mine, kind of like if handholding is a 1, and tripod is a 10, then monopod is a 4 or 5)

[Michele]

I didn't think of a monopod if you are able to figure out how to work one and keep it steady. I sure can't. I do better at handholding than I do using a monopod.

[dc2]

Thanks for both your thoughts on this

[scoundrel1728]

A variant on the part-time tripod idea is to use a tripod with a quick-release plate. That way you aren't encumbered with having the tripod attached to the camera when you don't need it, which makes verticals a lot easier to shoot. You still have to keep the legs with you so you have them available when you need them though.

[scoundrel1728]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Kind of agree with Michele on this. Can you use a Monopod in these situations? they can be very handy, but limit your steadiness a bit (or at least it does mine, kind of like if handholding is a 1, and tripod is a 10, then monopod is a 4 or 5)

Photographers covering sports from the sidelines use monopods a lot. They offer the steadiness they need and the portability they need if they must clear out of the way in a hurry to avoid getting too close to the action. By the way, the best way to use a monopod is not to put the leg directly under the camera but to put it on the ground slightly forward of the camera. You can then lean into it slightly, your own two legs completing the improvised tripod to support your camera and lens.

[Mr. Pickles]

Yup, that is how to use a monopod. Don't stick it out there 4 feet. You'll look like a goof. Some also try and put the bottom end in the "crack" between the side of your foot, and the ground.

[CI Photography]

I use a Manfrotto 3221GN3 tripod with a Manfrotto 3030G pan head. It's green in color so it's works great in the studio and outdoors, as I luv to hunt and fish so it get's used a lot outside as well as inside. If time is a big deal, I use a Manfrotto 681B Monopod with a Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head. Both use the same quick release bracket that I leave on my camera all the time.

Joe

[dc2]

Thanks for adding to to this Mike

[deluco]

There are a few reasons I use a tripod. For weddings and portraits, I sometimes shoot at slow shutter speeds...i.e. anywhere from 1/8th to 1/30th or so, and occassionally at 1/4 second if I have to show water or waterfall motion in the portrait. Another reason is that it allows me to communicate, eye-to-eye, with the subject while I'm shooting. Also, it allows me to shoot uninterrupted. That is, I don't have to recompose or refocus between frames.

There are things that you can do to speed you up while using a tripod, like adjusting it before you begin shooting and changing the height as little as possible. I use a Culman Titan model where all three legs can be adjusted at one time from the tripod top. Expensive and heavy but it works well to save time at weddings.

There are times when you don't really need one and I've seen many photographers NOT using tripods. However, I feel that this limits your shooting possibilities. It's a tradeoff, like anything else.

If your style is loose and free and candid, then you may not want to use one. If you don't use "portrait" style photography then you may not need it.

[dc2]

Thanks Jim
I have to use one at times . But hate using it