Tripod as Zen Master

I’ve had a many cameras in my 36 plus years as a photographer. I started with a Pentax K1000 – a brilliant camera – then I moved on to my beautiful Hassleblad – and many Canon’s.

The cameras come and go, either from wear and tear or the demands of needing new technology. But in all my time my as photographer I’ve only had 3 tripods.

The first was a studio tripod I used in school for studio stuff. It was big, heavy and boring. The second tripod saw 3 or 4 cameras come and go. It was sturdy, light, made of aluminium and lasted 20 years.

Tripods allow you to take shots you couldn’t otherwise – 149 sec @ f/8 ISO400

I am currently on my 3rd tripod – although I still have the second as a backup.  This one is bigger, lighter, more sturdy and made of carbon fibre.

The function of a tripod is of course the same, regardless of the material it’s made from – holding a camera very still for extended periods for time.

This is the longest exposure I’ve taken in a few years – 419sec @f/16 ISO200

But apart from their inherit functionality there is one other thing they have in common – they have changed the way I approach my photography.

Even when I’m not shooting at shutter speeds slower than 1 second (which is the essential time gauge of when you must have a tripod) I still carry my camera around on a tripod.

I find it comforting as it gives me so many options with my aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Having a tripod means I am prepared to shoot in any lighting condition – in low light inside a building, at night – I can be anywhere at any time.

15 sec @ f/11 ISO 100

And that is just the technical side.  What it has done for my creative side is encourage me to slow down and really look at all aspects of my compositions with a very intentional mindset – micro movements with the tripod head became something I just do. One millimeter here another there.

So as I was shooting and getting better as a fine artist my tripod was always there with me making me think and move with greater attention to detail. Helping me make more perfect exposures, horizons and compositions.

I didn’t really need a tripod for this shot but it sure did help with composition. 1/400th @f/13 ISO400

Thank you tripod!  I really do believe it has been the one piece of kit that shaped me, and not just my photography but my MIND as well. It set the pace of my journey.

Nowadays I only use my tripod primarily for long exposures but still find myself lugging it about even in full sun. I don’t even use it 80% of the time but I take it because I never like the feeling of maybe needing it.

I think my relationship with my tripod is a bit like Luke Skywalker and Yoda – it’s on my back as I trek and train, speaking words of knowledge and encouragement and when I’m having trouble it will always, if not reluctantly come to my rescue.

Making a timelapse is something I love doing and I never know when a good one will present itself – 1/125th @ f/8 ISO100

Some tips on buying a tripod

I get asked frequently about how to approach buying a tripod. There are 3 basic things you should consider when buying one. And these are VERY important since you will probably spend nearly the rest of your lives together.

In order of importance I consider:

1) Height

A lot of people put weight as the first priority, but not me. My tripod needs to meet me on MY level not me on its! It’s nice to have a compact and light 3 legged companion, but not if you have to bend over to use it.

You will soon find that you are not the perfect match if you have to constantly bend yourself in half to look into the viewer finder or screen. You will find your relationship soon fades and there will come a day when you completely forget to take it out.

A good tripod is one, that fully extended, is perfectly aligned with your eyes.

15 sec @ f/11 ISO 100

2) Weight

Is important but it is the second consideration for me.  Find one with a good height first that doesn’t weigh too much.  If you don’t there will come a day when you look at it in the corner of the room and say “Ugh…!” If you do often say “ugh” then you probably have the wrong tripod and your relationship will never fully develop.

After height and weight the 3rd consideration most photographers will mention is sturdiness.  Unless you plan to spend £20 on a Velbon, sturdiness is something that almost all tripod are good at and for general photography your average tripod is plenty sturdy.

So, instead my 3rd requirement is profile.

3) Profile

Being a travel photographer it is important that my tripod fits nicely on my bag and when it is stowed away I can forget it is even with me. It can be stowed in the centre of your bag or on the side. I prefer it in the centre, better balance and less fatigue over long treks.

Finding your perfect tripod is not an easy thing to do. It needs to be the perfect balance of height, weight and profile (or sturdiness…I won’t argue.) There are dozens of manufacturers and hundreds upon hundreds to choose from. Ranging in price from £30 to £2000 ($40-3,000) and up.

Making long exposures is a really fun way to enhance the feel of an image – 6 sec @ f/5.0 ISO200

My last – essential tip – visit a camera store!

Visit you local camera shop and try out  the tripods – fully extend it, feel the weight and understand how you will carry it on and off you bag.

If you do this then you are guaranteed to have a long a mutually loving relationship for many decades to come.  Good luck folks and may the 3-legged force be with you!

I’d love to know – do you use a tripod or are you planning to buy one?

Let me know – please comment below and let me know.