BetterPhotoJim

Using Your Tripod... Or Not!

Curiosity Got the Cat © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

This is something I never say, so don’t quote me on this. You may, when photographing animals and wildlife, wish to put the tripod aside. Ahhh! I can’t believe I said that. Okay, here’s the truth: you may find – when shooting fast moving subjects - your tripod slows you down. This can be especially true if you use an inexpensive tripod with difficult-to-change controls. If you find that you are frequently missing the shot because you cannot change your tripod and camera position in time, you have my permission to put the tripod aside. Just do one thing first: check your shutter speed. If it is slower than 1/60 (when using a 50mm normal lens) or 1/500 (when using a 300mm telephoto lens), consider increasing your ISO and lowering your f number until you get a fast enough shutter speed. This will reduce the amount of photos you have to toss into the trash due to camera shake.

I must admit that I continue to use my tripod even when photographing wildlife. I have tried it both ways – with and without a tripod – and I appreciate the increased likelihood of sharp photos enough to not mind the inconvenience of using my tripod. My secret weapon is the kind of head I use on my tripod legs – a ball head. The pan-tilt variety, which I used for years, is more rigid and difficult to change on the fly. Using a ball head allows me to strike a balance between stability and flexibility when shooting wildlife.

Have fun!

Jim

The Need for Expensive Gear

Cassis © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

Good Morning!

I want to tell you that you can make great photos with any camera. And you want to hear that too. The last thing you want to hear, just after purchasing an expensive digital camera, is that you have to buy something else.

However, sometimes the truth is that you have to save your money and buy a better camera, lens, tripod, etc. While the vision and technical skill of the artist does play a huge role, equipment often plays an equally big role. Other photographers and authors will tell you that you can make great pictures with any camera. This is only half true. Sure you can, but the real question is "How difficult and unlikely will success be?" If your goal is to lessen frustration and increase "yield" – the number of photos that succeed, then purchasing and using the best tools you can afford will make your job a lot easier.

We all justifiably want to avoid spending money on a new camera, new lenses, an expensive tripod, better filters, costly software... you name it. However, as much as I endorse the effort to be economical, the honest answer is that you get what you pay for. Good equipment does makes a huge difference.

Have fun!

Panning and the Value of a Good Tripod

Panning is a subject is a relatively easy and fun project. All you need to do is set a somewhat slow shutter speed and track the subject as it passes you.

When panning, hand holding the camera (rather than using a tripod) is acceptibly and will often produce good results.

Motorcyclist in Paradise © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

I use my tripod most of the time because I've seen far too many great pictures ruined by a slight be of softness from camera shake. The camera vibrates a bit when you take the picture so on anything but the brightest of days (when the shutter speed may be fast), a tripod helps you get sharp photos.

It also allows me to get creative effects like extensive depth of field or motion blur effects.

In the book I have just finished writing, two thirds of the photos would not have been possible without a tripod. Getting (and using) a good tripod will open up a world of possibilities.

Have a great day!