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Garry Black Photography |
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TECHNICAL
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TRIPODS Below is an article that I wrote on the subject of tripods, it’s pretty general and doesn’t give any detailed information about all of the different brands of tripods. If you don’t have a tripod or are considering purchasing a new one contact me and I can give you some specific information on which tripod I think would best suit you. Fall 2003 Issue Canadian Camera magazine |
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As this is the first article in tips from pros, I thought it would be best to start off with the basics. These are some tips that I’ve picked up from my own shooting as well as observations that I’ve made from teaching photographic workshops for 20 years. The first isn’t really so much of a tip, as it is just common sense. Know your equipment! You should know all the features that your camera has, and you should know when and how to use them. Whatever you do, don’t use the Program exposure mode. You should be using either aperture or shutter speed priority and if you’re really daring use manual exposure. If you were to ask any photographer, what’s your favourite lens? I’d hazard a guess that the vast majority would only mention one. The reason being that most photographers fall into a routine, taking the same type and style of photograph over and over again. Why do you have those other lenses if you only rarely use them? Give yourself an assignment. Go out photographing for a day with all of your lenses, but you must leave your “favourite” one at home. This will force you to start seeing what is possible with these other lenses. At first you’ll see all the potential photos that you would have normally taken, but forget those, you don’t have your favourite lens. Don’t just walk around looking, put one of those rarely used lenses on your camera and see what it can do. In case you were wondering, my answer to what’s my favourite lens is; wide angle, really wide angle, normal, telephoto and yes even macro “it really depends on what I’m photographing”. While on the subject of unused photographic equipment, why are so many photographers reluctant to use tripods? I’ve found that the people who loathe tripods are the same people who wrestle and fight with them when trying to get set up for a shot. In some cases it’s just a matter of learning how to use them properly, while for others, the person has opted to buy a cheap tripod and is now paying the price. When buying a tripod there are several things to look for. While size and weight are important, for far too many people that is the only criteria. What you should be considering is the leg locking/release mechanisms; can you quickly and easily extend and retract the legs? Do the legs splay out? This is crucial if you’ll be photographing anywhere where the terrain is uneven. Finally the last thing to look for in a tripod is how close to the ground it will go. With many tripods you can reverse the centre column, in practicality very few people do, it’s just too bothersome. It’s much better to get one that will go low to the ground. As for tripod heads, you’ll have to wait until the next article. The last piece of advice that I’d like to give you is perhaps the most important advice that you’ll ever receive regarding photography. It can be summed up in one word, PRACTICE!!! Just as listening to music won’t make you a musician, reading all you want about photography and looking at images by other photographers, won’t make you a photographer. By practicing, not only will you perfect your technical skills but more importantly you’ll also improve your photographic vision. |
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