The Myth of the Magical Tripod
A group of friends got together over the weekend to talk about photography. We talked about composition, lenses, camera bodies, what we look for on outdoor excursions. All the usual photo stuff.
But much of the talk centered around tripods. When to use them, when to leave them in the car, how tall, how heavy, the heads on them. In all the photo books, you'll read this command From Above (my caps)-- "Always use a tripod". Period. No questions.
Baloney.
A tripod has its uses, and mine is witness to heavy use. But like a macro lens, a filter, flash, extension rings, only use it when necessary. Yep, it looks really sexy when people see you working behind it. You're busily checking buttons and dials-- know that they are very impressed. Well, some people are impressed, usually those who don't know any better.
Here's a good rule to remember--
Generally, you can hand hold (that is, no tripod) a camera with a lens at the reciprocal of the focal length of that lens. In other words, hand-hold a 300mm lens at no slower than 1/300 of a second. A 24mm at no slower than 1/24 of a second. A 105mm at no slower than 1/105 second.
Just a general rule of thumb, mind you. I've known rock-steady photographers to hold a 300mm at 1/8 second, for example. I couldn't do it. And of course, if the subject is moving, a 1/24 second shutter speed isn't going to stop it.
You can use a tree, lamp post, car, your buddy's shoulder for support. The swan above was shot at 1/200 of a second with my 500mm lens. No tripod.
When outdoors, mobility is a major factor in whether you're going to get that photograph or not. Imagine this scene -- blue skies over a quiet mountain pond. The sun is setting on your right. Colorful wood ducks in the lower right make the photo perfect. You can see the picture over the fireplace already. But by the time you set up the tripod, the ducks have flown, the sun has set and gray clouds have taken over the skies. OK, a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.
Take a 'cover your butt' shot first. It might not be perfect, but it's something in case your next choices fizzle. Then, if you're really impressed with that shot, drag out the tripod and get your masterpiece. Maybe it'll be better than the first, maybe not.
Tripods come in all weights, heights, head styles and material. Before you buy one, check a camera center for options. Find the one that fits, and since it'll probably last forever, don't skimp on price. Locally, check with the Camera Center of York or manufacturer websites like Bogen or Slik.
In Washington, D.C., last week, a couple was crawling on the ground to get their perfect shot. They were shooting at f22 (good for lots of depth of field to get both the daffodils in the foreground and the Washington Monument in focus). They said they were shooting at 1/400 of a second because they wanted to be steady and weren't using tripods.
OK, do a few calculations, and you'll understand why they were shooting at 1600 ISO. Yep, they'll get plenty of depth of field, and it'll be steady as a rock. But the picture will probably be higher contrast, and look like someone threw beach sand all over it. Grainier than a loaf of bread. They are not going to be happy, I guarantee it.
They believed the Myth of the Magical Tripod-- either use a tripod or a very fast shutter speed or your picture will be blurry. Despite claims to the contrary, tripods don't make every picture better. I shoot basketball and football sometimes at 1/200 of a second, half the speed they were using to shoot daffodils. While 1/200 is marginal for shooting action (often blurred, but occasionally necessary), they could have easily reduced their speed to 1/25 or less (they were shooting wide angle) and shot at a much, much lower ISO, and therfore, less grain or noise.
Like everything else, equipment has its place. You don't lug around a 16-pound sledge hammer to smack a mosquito. Don't haul a boat-anchor heavy tripod when you don't need it.
Unless you just want to impress the crowd.
