Question about Tripod Use

[scottiex2]

I've noticed that occasionally someone will describe their photo as 'hand held". Does that mean that the majority of photos that appear on Byte have been taken with a tripod?

I've yet to use one, and am curious to know what
Byte photographers do.

Thanks,
Jane
(scottiex2)

[Rrdjserv]

I didn't use to use a tripod at all. In the last year my tripod use has climbed to around 60-70%. They have some disadvantages, but my shots turn out sharper.

--Rick

[ncredneck]

I have a tripod and mainly use it for indoor and night shots. Digital cameras with high ISO and image stabilization have cut down on my use of tripods, but they are indispensable for certain shots. I have to agree with Rick that pictures do turn out sharper when I use one, but convenience often wins out over sharpness.

[Redhead]

I don't know about anyone else, but I only write down "hand-held" or "tripod" if it was an unusual or special circumstance for the individual image that I am posting.

marcie

[Tatanka001]

I have of resent converted my walking stick into a monopad to help Stabilize my shots. Easy converition was to place a 1/4 bolt into the top of the walking stick then cut off the bolt head with a hacksaw and file down any burs leaving about 3/8 of the bolt sticking out to mount the camera. Walking stick I have was a maple branch that was in my back yard. Very cheap but works.

[scottiex2]

Thank all of you for taking the time to share your preferences. I can see that there aren't any rules
and it seems to be determined by subject matter, light and convenience.

That's good to know.
Thanks,
Jane

[SMcEvoy]

Jane, I generally use the speed of the shot to guide whether I need a tripod. Down to 1/30 of a second at a matching focal length - e.g. 30mm, then handheld works pretty well as long as you're relatively steady.

On a telephoto lens if you're zoomed out to 300mm, then you'll need enough light (or sufficiently wide aperture) to get you a speed of 1/250 to 1/300 to have a steady shot.

If you put it on a tripod for lower speeds, as long as your subject is not moving, then your shot will be much sharper.

If your subject is moving, then you're going to need the 1/250 and up to freeze the action anyway and a tripod won't help - a higher ISO will though. You can also try to switch to a monopod, a lower speed and try to pan the action - something I have not mastered yet!

Unless light is really low I rarely use my tripod for my landscapes. I do use it for flowers because I'm often at 90mm for my macro lens but much lower speeds - e.g. 1/30. If you don't have them on a tripod, then you get shots like this http://www.photoswithfinesse.com/Ima...045a-small.htm - which in this case worked, but more often than not I discard because they're really bad! I also usually use handheld for weddings and family portraits because it's much easier to reposition and adjust for spur of the moment shots that you often get with brides and children. For architecture and other shots I'll sometimes use a tripod to force me to 'think the shot through' instead of just snapping it. It also helps more clarity in shadowed areas.

[scottiex2]

Thanks Susan, I appreciate your explanation.

Jane

[Buddy4344]

I believe in Tripods! If not a tripod, a bean bag. If not a bean bag, the side of a tree. If you are going to shoot the 'golden hours' and you want dof, AND YOU WANT TO PRINT LARGER THAN 11X14 OR PLAN TO LEAVE ROOM TO CROP, you should 1) use lowest ISO possible, 2) use a tripod and 3) use mirror lock-up function on the camera. 4) use a cable release.

While Rick shoots a telephoto hand held, I don't. Maybe he has a steadier hand? When I shoot my Africa shots at 400mm or better, I usually use a bean bag as tripod doesn't work in car.

Yes, as others note, with fast shutter speeds, you can avoid these set-up procedures. Yes, I have had great hand held shots, but... very few pro's shoot hand held. The reason - they shoot to print and print large.

Also, 1) if you ever plan to play with HDR, you need 3+ shots with identical framing at different f-stops
2) if you plan to stitch together a panorama, again, having everything on plane is nicer with a tripod.3) A Suzan noted, macro work is very difficult (due to shallow dof) without a tripod.

Bottom line, I could live without a tripod, but I am a better QUALITY photographer with it.

[Rrdjserv]

Buddy-

Clarification: I have never shot my 500mm without a tripod. I do, however, shoot my 300 with a 1.4x TC handheld using IS. I agree with everything you said.

[scottiex2]

Thanks Buddy and to everyone who responded. You've answered my question thoroughly and I appreciate your time.

Jane