A tripod is a very simple accessory in comparison to your camera and lenses, but it is one of the most important pieces of equipment for landscape photographers. You don’t need the fanciest or most expensive tripod – just something to keep your camera stable for long exposures, bracketing, and shooting in uncomfortable positions. It’s easy to find technical reviews and specs on the internet, but there aren’t so many articles on how landscape photographers use their tripods on location. So, here are a few tips and tricks.
A Leg up for Macro Photography
Macro lenses are a lot of fun – but getting your composition just right is tough when a slight ball-head adjustment is too much. Sometimes, minute adjustments are necessary to get your composition and focusing just right. Here is a great tip by Varina Patel on how she makes these small adjustment in the field. It’s not what you’d think!
Get a grip on your Photo Gear
Carbon fiber tripod are great for landscape photography because they are lighter than metal tripods – but when it’s really windy, lightweight tripods can be knocked over. Both Varina and I have damaged equipment because our tripods were knocked down by a sudden, strong gust of wind. Here’s my recommendation for working with a lightweight tripod in the field:
Hang on for Sharp Photos
Windy conditions can also cause your tripod to shake, which will result in blurry photographs. To solve the problem, we often use a simple trick to add weight to the center column of the tripod. Here is a video in which Varina shows how she does it in the field.
Are you looking for a new tripod? Or ready to replace the one you have? Click the link below for a full line of Induro tripods and heads, the Visual Wilderness brand of choice.