The professionals' secret... The Tripod! Don't believe me? Well, it's truly the only way to get the sharpest possible photos (especially landscapes.) Today I will discuss what to look for when buying one, when to use it and when not to, and of coarse, how to use it. If you like taking landscape photographs or any other still life images, I can't recommend it enough. A tripod will extend the versitility of your photography and heighten the level at which you are shooting by not only giving you sharper images but also forcing you to stop and take the time to frame your shot properly and get the best exposure... aren't we always in such a rush?!
Types of Tripods and What's Best For You
Most tripods come in two components, there is the actual tripod and then there is an attachment that goes on top of it called the tripod head. This part of the tripod is the piece that attaches to your camera. It has moving parts to help you frame your shot in every possible angle or direction from the spot you are standing.
The bottom part, or the tripod legs, has the three legs we all recognize is probably the most important part to research before purchasing. First, they come in heights from a few inches to taller than the average person. The taller the extendablity, the higher the price, for the most part. Two sizes you want to look for is the tripod height when collapsed (this is the smallest height the tripod can sit at in most cases) and also the extended height (the tallest possible height.) When purchasing the tripod think of what you are using it for; are you going to be shooting inside on a table top? Outside on a trail where you want to stand comfortably in front of your camera? Are you shooting mostly flowers and need to be very close to the ground but you also want the possibility of shooting at standing height? After you consider these questions also remember that you want to be comfortable behind the camera. Choose a height where your can stand or kneel comfortably for several minutes.
You will also need to consider the weight of the tripod. A heavy tripod made of metals is more sturdy, will last longer and is a worth-while purchase. Avoid any tripod made mostly of plastic, if you need something lightweight, go for the ones made of lightweight metals. Lastly, there are two kinds of extending legs, there are tripod legs that lock and unlock with a snapping mechanism or ones that have a quick turning lock/unlock. If you can, try both of these types to see which you prefer.
Personally, I have three tripods: one that extends very tall, is heavy, versitile and can be used in most applications, my second is a lightweight tripod that collapses down to a size of about 14" and extends to a fairly comfortable hunched over height, I use this one for hiking or anytime I know I will need to lug it around all day on my back. My third tripod is a mini flexible tripod that can bend and move to attach itselve to almost anything and sits just a few inches off the ground. With these three I can handle almost any situation that I will need a tripod in, but for most people something that extends to about 50" to 60" and is fairly sturdy would word fine.
For tripod heads there are two main types: the ball head and the pan head. The ball head is just that, a ball that sits on top of the tripod legs and then your camera sits on top of the ball. It has a locking mechanism that enables you to move you camera easily in any position and hold it firmly in place once you are set. These are great and super-easy to use, but can be difficult to handle with a heavy camera. The pan head is very funny looking and can be difficult to use at first, but once mastered it is very precise. There are three "arms" that stick out from the head that can be loosened and tighten to adjust the cameras position is three different directions. These often come with a helpful bubble level built in.
When To (and When Not To) Tripod
As a rule of thumb, anytime your exposure requires a shutter speed under 1/60th of a second throw your camera on the tripod. If you are shooting a person, most times you shouldn't use a tripod, just turn on your flash - or else you will capture the motion of the person in the photo let alone your movement from handholding the camera. Here I am talking mostly about using a tripod for shooting still life and landscapes. When photographing a sweeping landscape you want the sharpest image possible to avoid loosing important details in the distance, use a tripod every time when shooting f/16 or higher. Usually your shutter speed will be below 1/60th in this situation anyways, unless your in the bright, bright sun.
Also, like I discussed in Photo Tip #6, a tripod can be vital to getting a great group portrait. You can set up your camera and then arrange and move people to fit in the frame instead of constantly moving your camera around to fit the people. Another great application for a tripod is if you are going to be standing in one place for a long time, the tripod can hold all the cameras weight for you.
How To Basics
Most tripod heads come with something called a tripod plate. This plate snaps in and out of the tripod head easily and attaches to the bottom of pretty much every camera ever made. You can leave this plate attached to the camera and you can fold up the tripod without the danger of leaving the camera on it. This piece is VERY important to the tripod and can be expensive to replace so always leave it attached to your camera if you can, or leave it snapped into the tripod head for safe keeping. Once your camera is snapped in place, you can easily frame your shot, change the orientation of your camera from vertical to horizontal, change camera lenses, etc. all safely without the worry of dropping or banging your camera.
Quick tip: Get a mini bubble level to keep in your camera bag for those tricky landscapes, if your tripod doesn't come with one built-in.