The Tripod: More Than Just Image Stabilization
One of the tools in any professional photographer’s arsenal is a good-quality tripod. It’s definitely something you should consider from the standpoint of minimizing any camera shake while shooting. But there’s another reason to use a tripod and it’s arguably of equal importance (especially for the beginning and intermediate photographer):
Using a tripod forces you to plan your shot.
The use of a tripod takes time. Even if you’re fast, it will take you several seconds to setup the tripod, attach the camera, and make some quick head adjustments. In an ideal situation, you have at least a few minutes to get things set up. During this time, you can look at various things such as what is around you or any obstacles which might interfere with your shot. As you put the camera onto the tripod, you can experiment with different compositions to see which one works best.
Perhaps the most important issue is that the use of a tripod to create a well-composed image prevents you from making hasty last-minute changes. When the tripod is planted firmly on the ground, your camera is locked into the head, and you’ve adjusted things so they’re “just right”, you can’t quickly change things at the last minute. Over the past several years I’ve found that generally when I change things just before the shot, I end up disappointed with the results and wishing I’d gone with the original plan.
Use a tripod. Plan your shot. Go with your plan.
*photo by [martin] on Flickr
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