My tripod is lonely 99% of the time. I used it on a ranger led cave tour, some Astro and northern lights moments. It is also too much of a constraint for me. With mirrorless cameras able to deliver in low light handheld these days. I believe this no tripod constraint is the one I’ll live with better. Peace
I feel this so much, Giles. Working with a tripod feels so restrictive. We seem to share similar journeys, from landscape to just following the light. Good luck with your talk, I know it will be informative and enjoyable.
Your words sounded like something I might have written. I don't run, but I do exactly the same as you when walking. I accumulate fewer steps because I see things and stop to capture an image. I lost my tripod years ago – I think someone might have borrowed it and never returned it. I regret losing it, as it was a gift to me when I retired from a long-time work position, but I haven't missed it for a moment when out and about with my camera (or phone camera). On the rare occasion when the light is too low for hand-holding my camera steady at even the highest speed, I find I can hold my phone camera steady for long enough to get some damn good shots.
Glad to hear that, Brian, the missing tripod excluded, of course. I agree, a phone camera is a great option for low-light photography. I’ve also found that resting my camera on some street furniture or my bag can work in a pinch in low light, if all else fails.
I finally found a use for my tripod (head) after it sat unused in a corner for so many years, and that was as part of a makeshift copy stand for scanning negatives! I think the last time I really "needed" it was 20 years ago in school to shoot slides of some paintings. Similarly, I'm not getting rid of it but it sure is dusty.
I bought what I consider to be a nice tripod a couple years ago but didn’t use it much for quite a long time. Now I’ve come to like using it in the right conditions because it helps improve the sharpness of my photos. I can go either way depending on the available light and what I’m shooting. I do like the slower process of setting up the tripod and trying to get something framed just right. It helps me slow down, particularly when out in nature. With plenty of light on the streets it’s more freeing to go hand held.
Introspection leads to growth! I love finding this in all different forms here. Thanks for sharing yours. I too prefer an unplanned shoot on the go, capturing what I find along the way. I brought my tripod on 5 winter hikes this past season but only used it for waterfalls on one.
For things like dim comets (a nightmare to even find 😵💫), the Milky Way — and even a nice Aurora shot with added foreground elements — I just can’t do it handheld (technically I probably could with a bright Aurora but I’m a bit of a perfectionist). I need that tripod. But, yeah, just about everything else, long exposure water shots aside, handheld for me. 😃
Oh yes, even I would dust off my tripods for shots like that. Anything over a second shutter speed (with the right camera) and probably more like a 1/4 second if I want it sharp and it’s impossible for me.
I, too, tried to fit myself into the tripod mold, but it just isn't a good fit for me, either. I do use my tripod or my monopod when the situation calls for it, but run-and-gun has always been what I love best. It's a natural fit; tripodding, not so much. And that's perfectly fine. The world would be excruciating if we were all the same.
Excellent points, and glad it resonates. That's reminded me that I do actually use a monopod when I am shooting running events, particularly when I'm balancing two cameras. I find having the longer lens on a monopod makes it easier for me to switch from one camera to the other.
Great article and I feel your constraints but mine is the reverse, I feel weird without a tripod, the only time I feel good without a tripod is doing portraits. The landscape, long exposure and all the in between suit me being on a tripod. It helps me slow down.. plan the shot, frame
It and obviously capturing the right moment. As with my film days, I quite often like to take multi shots with different exposures…. It doesn’t help shooting with a Hasselblad h2 and Phaseone p45+ back which limited to iso 50 and 100. So a tripod is essential
Many thanks for the feedback, Mark, and I totally agree. I've got loads of friends who think I'm weird for not wanting to use a tripod, and they find it an intrinsic part of their workflow that helps slow them down. Unfortunately, that's not my style and just doesn't work for me, but I'm not necessarily the best example to follow. 😁
I enjoyed your article (tripods) and I understood immediately. Lack of freedom! I like finding different perspectives of be what I see so tripods don’t work for me. Thanks ☕️
I have managed to complete this cycle almost two times. As I started out in photography a million years ago it was all handheld. I am sure I didn’t even know why someone would want to use a tripod (yes, I was truly a beginner) forget about the expense of purchasing one. Then as my understanding and depth grew and I took classes using a tripod helped me slow down, take some extra time to compose and breathe . After several years of that, I like you missed the spontaneity of grabbing a camera and going, untethered, unencumbered to see what I might see. As I have now gotten older it is harder to get up and down, hold the camera as steady as I used to and slow down to the pace I can now keep up. I see myself over the next couple of years dusting off the old Gitzo and giving it a go once again. Great article Giles, it hit pretty close to home.
I found this an interesting read. I primarily consider myself an urban photographer with illusions of being Ansel Adams, so your reflections on movement and constraint hit home. Being old school, the question that pops into my mind is whether you’d feel the same way if you were shooting film rather than digital. Analogue has a way of slowing the process down as surely as a tripod does, partly because of cost, but more importantly because of the mindset it requires. I’d hazard a guess that your push back against the tripod has more to do with how it makes you work than with the hardware itself.
On the street I wouldn’t dream of carrying a tripod. Interaction and reaction happen in the blink of an eye and any extra gear feels like a barrier between me and the flow of events. Yet walking in the Lakes, everything shifts. It’s as if time itself slows, and that change in tempo almost forces me to let the camera stand still as well, to anchor it and really look into the intricacies of the view. So I’m not sure the real issue is the tripod at all. It might just be a question of which tempo of seeing feels most like home to you.
Thanks for the feedback, Jon. You've posed some interesting questions. For clarity, I do also occasionally shoot film alongside digital, so I totally agree with what you're saying about it slowing you down.
In terms of tripods themselves, I think that was actually the point I was trying to make. It was less about the actual device and more about the constraint it put upon my style of photography. My natural style is more reactive to what I'm seeing before me, and introducing a tripod interrupted that flow and imposed a constraint on my photography, which, to date, I've felt has had a negative impact. I hope that makes sense
I love (and hate) tripods. My first was a theodolite tripod (all I could afford from a local Army & Navy surplus store). It weighed a ton but it was solid as a rock. My second was a budget "Slik" tripod which had a nasty habit of the leg locks sliding down when anything heavier than an Olympus Trip was mounted on it. I've had Manfrotto tripods but, as good as they were, I much prefer the Arca-Swiss heads and most L-brackets are Arca-Swiss. My current tripods are a Sirui carbon fibre travel job with a ball head. My other is a heavy-duty Benro with a 3-way geared head. That was bought to support Hasselblads and a 5"x4" MPP (neither of which I still own).
These days, IBIS and the likes of DXO PureRaw denoising technology are reducing the need to carry a tripod - though my Sirui lives, permanently, in the back of my car. I don't think I'll ever not have a tripod but I also doubt I'll ever need to buy another one.
Thanks, Paul. I totally agree that modern cameras give you so much flexibility with shutter speed and ISO now, especially for low-light photography. As a result, there is so much more you can do handheld than you could even a few years ago.
Hi Giles, I’m predominantly a long exposure photographer, using it also as part of my mindfulness, but in using a tripod, don’t feel disconnected from my camera, though I can understand your perspective.
Surprisingly, to myself as well, my degree exhibition became a series of social documentary images, where I definitely needed to be very mobile.
I get the same satisfaction from both, losing myself in the scene and the moment.
My tripod is lonely 99% of the time. I used it on a ranger led cave tour, some Astro and northern lights moments. It is also too much of a constraint for me. With mirrorless cameras able to deliver in low light handheld these days. I believe this no tripod constraint is the one I’ll live with better. Peace
Great to hear that, Brian. Thanks for taking the time to provide a comment.
I feel this so much, Giles. Working with a tripod feels so restrictive. We seem to share similar journeys, from landscape to just following the light. Good luck with your talk, I know it will be informative and enjoyable.
Many thanks, David. Great to hear it resonates and agree, our journeys are strangely similar. 😁
Your words sounded like something I might have written. I don't run, but I do exactly the same as you when walking. I accumulate fewer steps because I see things and stop to capture an image. I lost my tripod years ago – I think someone might have borrowed it and never returned it. I regret losing it, as it was a gift to me when I retired from a long-time work position, but I haven't missed it for a moment when out and about with my camera (or phone camera). On the rare occasion when the light is too low for hand-holding my camera steady at even the highest speed, I find I can hold my phone camera steady for long enough to get some damn good shots.
Glad to hear that, Brian, the missing tripod excluded, of course. I agree, a phone camera is a great option for low-light photography. I’ve also found that resting my camera on some street furniture or my bag can work in a pinch in low light, if all else fails.
I finally found a use for my tripod (head) after it sat unused in a corner for so many years, and that was as part of a makeshift copy stand for scanning negatives! I think the last time I really "needed" it was 20 years ago in school to shoot slides of some paintings. Similarly, I'm not getting rid of it but it sure is dusty.
😁 nice improvisation 👍🏻
I bought what I consider to be a nice tripod a couple years ago but didn’t use it much for quite a long time. Now I’ve come to like using it in the right conditions because it helps improve the sharpness of my photos. I can go either way depending on the available light and what I’m shooting. I do like the slower process of setting up the tripod and trying to get something framed just right. It helps me slow down, particularly when out in nature. With plenty of light on the streets it’s more freeing to go hand held.
Thanks for sharing, Dave 🙏🏻
Introspection leads to growth! I love finding this in all different forms here. Thanks for sharing yours. I too prefer an unplanned shoot on the go, capturing what I find along the way. I brought my tripod on 5 winter hikes this past season but only used it for waterfalls on one.
Thanks, Kate. To hear it resonated, and it's always great to meet a fellow wanderer with the camera.
Love that second to last shot! (I really only use a tripod for night photography — when it’s necessary.)
Likewise. That said, I find that with the image stabilisation and higher ISOs of modern cameras, I rarely need to break out a tripod, if ever.
For things like dim comets (a nightmare to even find 😵💫), the Milky Way — and even a nice Aurora shot with added foreground elements — I just can’t do it handheld (technically I probably could with a bright Aurora but I’m a bit of a perfectionist). I need that tripod. But, yeah, just about everything else, long exposure water shots aside, handheld for me. 😃
Oh yes, even I would dust off my tripods for shots like that. Anything over a second shutter speed (with the right camera) and probably more like a 1/4 second if I want it sharp and it’s impossible for me.
I, too, tried to fit myself into the tripod mold, but it just isn't a good fit for me, either. I do use my tripod or my monopod when the situation calls for it, but run-and-gun has always been what I love best. It's a natural fit; tripodding, not so much. And that's perfectly fine. The world would be excruciating if we were all the same.
Excellent points, and glad it resonates. That's reminded me that I do actually use a monopod when I am shooting running events, particularly when I'm balancing two cameras. I find having the longer lens on a monopod makes it easier for me to switch from one camera to the other.
This was timely as I was considering to buy my 1st tripod. Lol. Great pics btw.
Thanks, Ergun. Don't let me put you off tripods! They're great tools, and if they fit your workflow, go for it!
Great article and I feel your constraints but mine is the reverse, I feel weird without a tripod, the only time I feel good without a tripod is doing portraits. The landscape, long exposure and all the in between suit me being on a tripod. It helps me slow down.. plan the shot, frame
It and obviously capturing the right moment. As with my film days, I quite often like to take multi shots with different exposures…. It doesn’t help shooting with a Hasselblad h2 and Phaseone p45+ back which limited to iso 50 and 100. So a tripod is essential
Many thanks for the feedback, Mark, and I totally agree. I've got loads of friends who think I'm weird for not wanting to use a tripod, and they find it an intrinsic part of their workflow that helps slow them down. Unfortunately, that's not my style and just doesn't work for me, but I'm not necessarily the best example to follow. 😁
lol nor I (re good example) and my friends all shoot without tripods…
I enjoyed your article (tripods) and I understood immediately. Lack of freedom! I like finding different perspectives of be what I see so tripods don’t work for me. Thanks ☕️
Thanks, Alicia. Pleased to hear that.
I have managed to complete this cycle almost two times. As I started out in photography a million years ago it was all handheld. I am sure I didn’t even know why someone would want to use a tripod (yes, I was truly a beginner) forget about the expense of purchasing one. Then as my understanding and depth grew and I took classes using a tripod helped me slow down, take some extra time to compose and breathe . After several years of that, I like you missed the spontaneity of grabbing a camera and going, untethered, unencumbered to see what I might see. As I have now gotten older it is harder to get up and down, hold the camera as steady as I used to and slow down to the pace I can now keep up. I see myself over the next couple of years dusting off the old Gitzo and giving it a go once again. Great article Giles, it hit pretty close to home.
Thank you, Alan. Pleased to hear you've enjoyed it, and wishing you all the best with your future photographic adventures.
Thanks Hikes again. So glad you are coming again next year!!! Are you ok if I share this with club members please?
As long as you promise to spell my name correctly 😂
Seriously, it was an absolute pleasure and looking forward to next year already. Please feel free to share.
Typo!! Apologies!!
No worries at all, and I guessed as much. Just made me laugh when I saw it, though.
Hi Giles
I found this an interesting read. I primarily consider myself an urban photographer with illusions of being Ansel Adams, so your reflections on movement and constraint hit home. Being old school, the question that pops into my mind is whether you’d feel the same way if you were shooting film rather than digital. Analogue has a way of slowing the process down as surely as a tripod does, partly because of cost, but more importantly because of the mindset it requires. I’d hazard a guess that your push back against the tripod has more to do with how it makes you work than with the hardware itself.
On the street I wouldn’t dream of carrying a tripod. Interaction and reaction happen in the blink of an eye and any extra gear feels like a barrier between me and the flow of events. Yet walking in the Lakes, everything shifts. It’s as if time itself slows, and that change in tempo almost forces me to let the camera stand still as well, to anchor it and really look into the intricacies of the view. So I’m not sure the real issue is the tripod at all. It might just be a question of which tempo of seeing feels most like home to you.
Thanks for the feedback, Jon. You've posed some interesting questions. For clarity, I do also occasionally shoot film alongside digital, so I totally agree with what you're saying about it slowing you down.
In terms of tripods themselves, I think that was actually the point I was trying to make. It was less about the actual device and more about the constraint it put upon my style of photography. My natural style is more reactive to what I'm seeing before me, and introducing a tripod interrupted that flow and imposed a constraint on my photography, which, to date, I've felt has had a negative impact. I hope that makes sense
I love (and hate) tripods. My first was a theodolite tripod (all I could afford from a local Army & Navy surplus store). It weighed a ton but it was solid as a rock. My second was a budget "Slik" tripod which had a nasty habit of the leg locks sliding down when anything heavier than an Olympus Trip was mounted on it. I've had Manfrotto tripods but, as good as they were, I much prefer the Arca-Swiss heads and most L-brackets are Arca-Swiss. My current tripods are a Sirui carbon fibre travel job with a ball head. My other is a heavy-duty Benro with a 3-way geared head. That was bought to support Hasselblads and a 5"x4" MPP (neither of which I still own).
These days, IBIS and the likes of DXO PureRaw denoising technology are reducing the need to carry a tripod - though my Sirui lives, permanently, in the back of my car. I don't think I'll ever not have a tripod but I also doubt I'll ever need to buy another one.
Thanks, Paul. I totally agree that modern cameras give you so much flexibility with shutter speed and ISO now, especially for low-light photography. As a result, there is so much more you can do handheld than you could even a few years ago.
Hi Giles, I’m predominantly a long exposure photographer, using it also as part of my mindfulness, but in using a tripod, don’t feel disconnected from my camera, though I can understand your perspective.
Surprisingly, to myself as well, my degree exhibition became a series of social documentary images, where I definitely needed to be very mobile.
I get the same satisfaction from both, losing myself in the scene and the moment.
Many thanks, Christiaan. Great to hear your perspective and also that you can lose yourself in both approaches.