Many Mistakes Photographers Make, Example IV

Denali National Park; Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm lens, 1/400 sec. @ F/10, 62mm (93mm FF equiv.), ISO 200

A common mistake many photographers make is not havi the proper support for their camera when encountering situations that require support.  Additionally, many photographers don't know how to create "instant" support to enhance their ability to successfully make a photograph.

Most photographers I know, whether young or "experienced", meaning older, tend not to want to use a tripod or monopod when out photographing.  It slows them down, it takes the spontaneity out of the moment and it requires a commitment to carry the extra piece of gear around with them.  At least, if you don't want to use a tripod or monopod, then understand how to create a steady support for your camera, if needed.

There are times when one should have some auxiliary support for a camera either in the form of a tripod or monopod.  Tripods and monopods differ in size, weight, time to set them up and cost. Let me give you a couple of examples of when one might be more appropriate over the other.

A few years ago, my wife and I took a 13 day cruise/tour to Alaska.  Since I figured I would probably never return, I carefully studied Alaska, the itinerary of the tour, blogs of Alaskan photographers and others who had made the trip previously.  I wanted to make sure I had the right camera, lenses and accessories.  I took 1 SLR, a small backup camera and lenses from 28mm to 450mm (full frame equivalent).  Since, at the time, I as using an APS-C camera body, I didn't have anything wider nor did I think I would need it.  I didn't. Additionally I took a large flash unit and a medium-sized carbon fiber tripod.  Of course, I had my small laptop and two small external hard drives in order to backup all my images each night.

Now, I found I didn't use the tripod even once.  Why?  Well, two reasons.  First, almost all the time I didn't have time or space in which to set up my tripod when we moved with the group.  Second, it was daylight until after 11 p.m. and it was bright enough to photograph at moderate ISOs without the need for a tripod.  What I wished I had was a monopod.  I could have kept it attached to the camera, put it down quickly, made my images when in marginal light and been gone, all very quickly and needing no more space than the width of my body.  Lesson learned.

Another example. For business, I needed to go to Hawaii several times–ten times in all.  The first time I traveled there I took a monopod, mainly to fit into my one large suitcase to go into the belly of the airplane.  During my free time in Hawaii, which usually was before or at dawn and around or after sunset, I had time to photograph.  The monopod did very little to help on that trip.  I wished I had a tripod for the longer exposures.  For future trips I took a very small travel tripod that took up almost no space in my suitcase and served me well.  Folded it is about 7 inches tall, but fully extended, it can be as tall as 24 inches.  Just perfect for setting on a rock, wall, table, etc. to make the images I wanted to make.  Putting some weight on top of the camera with my hand, fully steadied it since the tripod was not the steadiest.

If you find yourself without a large tripod, monopod or proper support, there are some techniques you can learn in order to increase your chances of capturing those images you otherwise would.  Here are a few:

a) set the camera on something solid, maybe with a small beanbag.  If you don't have a beanbag, a thick towel can act as a cushion and be flexible enough for you to move it and change the composition of your scene, but still have it stable enough that, if not touched or the wind isn't blowing, stay still while you expose for the scene.

b) Buy a long leather bootlace.  Attach one end of it to a 1/4" X 20 eye bolt and screw it into your camera's tripod mount on the bottom of your camera.  Hold the camera to your eye and drop the other end of the leather lace to the ground.  See where it hits the ground.  Then, tie it into a loop at the bottom end large enough for your shoe or boot to fit in.  The idea is to place your shoe or boot on the end of the lace, or into a loop at the end of the lace, then pull up creating tension on the leather lace so the camera is steadied by the tension.  The length needs to be the point where the lace is taught and the camera is at your eye.  You will be surprised at how well this works.  The lace with eye bolt takes up almost no room.  You can keep it in your pocket.

c) Buy very small tabletop tripod.  It then can be propped against your chest, sideways against a wall or tree to steady your camera.  Make sure if your little tripod is sideways, that you put a lot of pressure on it so it steadies it and doesn't slip and fall.

Just a couple of tips to help you have the right tools for the right situations.  The idea is for all of us to be as successful as we can in our photographic endeavors and have fun doing it.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  Thank you.


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