God I hate tripods [soap box]
Discussion
First up, I've just bought a Manfrotto pro tripod with geared head at GREAT expense, (and I have two others) so I'm not saying tripods are not needed... but:
I arrived at the local castle today at about 07:15 to take a 'pic'a'day', and there were several photographers there with various Canon & Nikon DSLR's - the cameras all sitting on tripods - waiting... for what I know not. (It's not like the castle was going anywhere).
I scampered about climbing over rocks, getting down to the sea, getting wet etc. - taking a shed load of pics - and saw NO need for a tripod at any stage as the castle was 150 yards distant and it was bright morning sunlight - there was no need for huge depth of field or slow shutter speeds as there was no foreground interest or moving water.
Having taken a squillion frames, I returned to where I had parked, and the tripod brigade were all waiting to take 'the' shot - now bulstered by several further keen photographers and a photography club. All with tripods set in stone... waiting.................... and not moving.
As I left I got a rather 'withering' glance from one of them, as I had obviously not taken things seriously enough, and set up a tripod, to get a 'proper' photo.
What is it with photographers and tripods? IMHO a good deal of the time they hinder the creative process.
...and that's a serious question, as I know a lot of very fine snappers from here use them all the time. I bloody hate them and only use them if I absolutely have to.
Comments? (ducking)
[/soapbox]
I arrived at the local castle today at about 07:15 to take a 'pic'a'day', and there were several photographers there with various Canon & Nikon DSLR's - the cameras all sitting on tripods - waiting... for what I know not. (It's not like the castle was going anywhere).
I scampered about climbing over rocks, getting down to the sea, getting wet etc. - taking a shed load of pics - and saw NO need for a tripod at any stage as the castle was 150 yards distant and it was bright morning sunlight - there was no need for huge depth of field or slow shutter speeds as there was no foreground interest or moving water.
Having taken a squillion frames, I returned to where I had parked, and the tripod brigade were all waiting to take 'the' shot - now bulstered by several further keen photographers and a photography club. All with tripods set in stone... waiting.................... and not moving.
As I left I got a rather 'withering' glance from one of them, as I had obviously not taken things seriously enough, and set up a tripod, to get a 'proper' photo.
What is it with photographers and tripods? IMHO a good deal of the time they hinder the creative process.
...and that's a serious question, as I know a lot of very fine snappers from here use them all the time. I bloody hate them and only use them if I absolutely have to.
Comments? (ducking)
[/soapbox]
07:15?... Overslept did we sir?
Couldn't agree more with the sentiment of the post. All your thinking should be done by the time you've locked the car...it's not rocket science. I much prefer to be constantly moving, constantly looking for a better angle...banging off shots as they appear. Good job we're all different though
Martin.
Couldn't agree more with the sentiment of the post. All your thinking should be done by the time you've locked the car...it's not rocket science. I much prefer to be constantly moving, constantly looking for a better angle...banging off shots as they appear. Good job we're all different though
Martin.
Edited by V6GTO on Friday 1st June 20:45
GetCarter said:
First up, I've just bought a Manfrotto pro tripod with geared head at GREAT expense, (and I have two others) so I'm not saying tripods are not needed... but:
I arrived at the local castle today at about 07:15 to take a 'pic'a'day', and there were several photographers there with various Canon & Nikon DSLR's - the cameras all sitting on tripods - waiting... for what I know not. (It's not like the castle was going anywhere).
I scampered about climbing over rocks, getting down to the sea, getting wet etc. - taking a shed load of pics - and saw NO need for a tripod at any stage as the castle was 150 yards distant and it was bright morning sunlight - there was no need for huge depth of field or slow shutter speeds as there was no foreground interest or moving water.
Having taken a squillion frames, I returned to where I had parked, and the tripod brigade were all waiting to take 'the' shot - now bulstered by several further keen photographers and a photography club. All with tripods set in stone... waiting.................... and not moving.
As I left I got a rather 'withering' glance from one of them, as I had obviously not taken things seriously enough, and set up a tripod, to get a 'proper' photo.
What is it with photographers and tripods? IMHO a good deal of the time they hinder the creative process.
...and that's a serious question, as I know a lot of very fine snappers from here use them all the time. I bloody hate them and only use them if I absolutely have to.
Comments? (ducking)
[/soapbox]
Just you wait till Matt arrives, then you're in trouble I arrived at the local castle today at about 07:15 to take a 'pic'a'day', and there were several photographers there with various Canon & Nikon DSLR's - the cameras all sitting on tripods - waiting... for what I know not. (It's not like the castle was going anywhere).
I scampered about climbing over rocks, getting down to the sea, getting wet etc. - taking a shed load of pics - and saw NO need for a tripod at any stage as the castle was 150 yards distant and it was bright morning sunlight - there was no need for huge depth of field or slow shutter speeds as there was no foreground interest or moving water.
Having taken a squillion frames, I returned to where I had parked, and the tripod brigade were all waiting to take 'the' shot - now bulstered by several further keen photographers and a photography club. All with tripods set in stone... waiting.................... and not moving.
As I left I got a rather 'withering' glance from one of them, as I had obviously not taken things seriously enough, and set up a tripod, to get a 'proper' photo.
What is it with photographers and tripods? IMHO a good deal of the time they hinder the creative process.
...and that's a serious question, as I know a lot of very fine snappers from here use them all the time. I bloody hate them and only use them if I absolutely have to.
Comments? (ducking)
[/soapbox]
GetCarter said:
_dobbo_ said:
Possibly people feel that a tripod slows you down and makes you think more carefully about composition etc.
hmm... good point... I only deal in warp drive so hadn't considered that.YB
obviously Rannoch Moor, which is my backdrop, was taken from a tripod
What a wonderful photo, I'm in awe!
well Lincoln actually!
I guess tripods are for landscapes - too slow for travel and observational photography. Have to say my favourite ever photo took ca. 1.5 hours of composition. Well actually I was sat waiting for the storm clouds to move behind Angkor Wat. If I'd arrived and boshed out a quick shot it wouldn't have been half as good.
Have a great new tripod btw - cost me £4.60 off ebay.. It's a 60s/70s relic Slick tripod that's built like a tank and soooo smooth and solid. Had to clean the nicoteen off it mind but can recommend a punt on an old tripod off the bay anytime!
Have a great new tripod btw - cost me £4.60 off ebay.. It's a 60s/70s relic Slick tripod that's built like a tank and soooo smooth and solid. Had to clean the nicoteen off it mind but can recommend a punt on an old tripod off the bay anytime!
My tripod cost a mint. It is a great bit of kit, but I avoid using it. It slows me down, hampers my creativity and weighs a bloody ton. I only use it for night and interior photography. I have, regretably, had to employ it in Winter months when DOF was not sufficient with hand-held and low ISO.
I understand the argument about slowing down to consider and discover a better composition, but I get into some really interesting contortions myself in order to achieve just that.
I understand the argument about slowing down to consider and discover a better composition, but I get into some really interesting contortions myself in order to achieve just that.
Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 2nd June 00:02
Oh dear, I feel very out of sync with the feelings of the group here.
I would say that 99.5% of my work is done on a support, either one of the camera stands at the studio or my trusty Gitzo. I'll concede that for 35mm work in reasonable light you can get away without, but I'd say some of the advantages of a tripod are:
Yes, they slow you down. You have a chance to have a good look and think about your composition. You could just shoot loads and worry about it later, but that's not ideal is it?
Handheld, you're always going to have camera movement. A high ISO and shutter speed can limit it to acceptable levels, but it will be there. If you're reproducing at a large size then every bit of sharpness is important.
You can do multiple exposures, opening up the possiblity of HDR-type corrections later - I haven't used my ND grads once since I went digital, as I now shoot bracketed exposures and layer them together.
With the medium and large format equipment I use it's easier to have both hands to operate them.
Of course there are people (the OP, for example) that get on fine without them, but I wouldn't want to be without my tripod.
If you find them heavy, try a carbon fibre one - I've got a Manfrotto head on mine that holds a Sinar P2 securely, but it's still manageable for carrying .
I would say that 99.5% of my work is done on a support, either one of the camera stands at the studio or my trusty Gitzo. I'll concede that for 35mm work in reasonable light you can get away without, but I'd say some of the advantages of a tripod are:
Yes, they slow you down. You have a chance to have a good look and think about your composition. You could just shoot loads and worry about it later, but that's not ideal is it?
Handheld, you're always going to have camera movement. A high ISO and shutter speed can limit it to acceptable levels, but it will be there. If you're reproducing at a large size then every bit of sharpness is important.
You can do multiple exposures, opening up the possiblity of HDR-type corrections later - I haven't used my ND grads once since I went digital, as I now shoot bracketed exposures and layer them together.
With the medium and large format equipment I use it's easier to have both hands to operate them.
Of course there are people (the OP, for example) that get on fine without them, but I wouldn't want to be without my tripod.
If you find them heavy, try a carbon fibre one - I've got a Manfrotto head on mine that holds a Sinar P2 securely, but it's still manageable for carrying .
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