I Have Tripod... Now What?

[ilovelucydog]

Okay... I now have a tripod. I've read the manual on the legs, and the head and think I know how to operate it.

My question is... What do I do now? Seriously... I probably don't want to pack it 8 miles up the trail first thing. Do I take pictures of stuff inside... in the yard... how do I get started?

[ktuli]

Go find some flowing water and do some long exposures for the smooth cottony looking water - that's always fun. Works with waves on the beach at sunrise/sunset too.

- Bill

[jiro]

Test, test, test. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment. Shoot, shoot, shoot!

[Shadowman]

Compare your handheld images to shots taken with the tripod.

[RockNGoalStar]

Do some long exposure photography of water, car light trails, star trails, sunsets, after sunsets, sunrises, pre-sunrises, take some shots of yourself, do some multiple shot HDR images...

The world is your lobster!

[Benedictine]

Out of interest what tripod did you do for in the end? I am interested as I have a heavyish Manfrotto that I used for bird watching and wondering whether it is work investing in a lighter one for photography. It would be good to see some with/without tripod images to compare.

Andrew-Bede

[oldgeezer]

Many possible scenarios as stated above, just take a look around here to see the results gained from long exposure etc.

I never carry a tripod as the stuff that interests me, it would only hinder the way I do things but for pin sharp HDR and stuff you should just play as much as possible. Going the whole hog, use a remote or the inbuilt timer for 100% vibration free.

The fun starts with experimenting.

[ilovelucydog]

Go find some flowing water and do some long exposures for the smooth cottony looking water - that's always fun. Works with waves on the beach at sunrise/sunset too.

- Bill

Will do, Sir.

[ilovelucydog]

Test, test, test. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment. Shoot, shoot, shoot!

Got it, Willie... or... the man with many avatars.

[ilovelucydog]

Compare your handheld images to shots taken with the tripod.

Thanks for that idea... that should be very helpful!

[ilovelucydog]

Do some long exposure photography of water, car light trails, star trails, sunsets, after sunsets, sunrises, pre-sunrises, take some shots of yourself, do some multiple shot HDR images...

The world is your lobster!

Thanks, Tommy. Those are lots of great suggestions. I don't eat lobster. Chicken... I eat a lot of chicken... or steak. The world is my chicken or cow doesn't sound nearly as dramatic, though.

[ilovelucydog]

Out of interest what tripod did you do for in the end? I am interested as I have a heavyish Manfrotto that I used for bird watching and wondering whether it is work investing in a lighter one for photography. It would be good to see some with/without tripod images to compare.

Andrew-Bede

Hi, Andrew-Bede. My tripod was a gift to me so it may not be the best or lightest or what I would have chosen if I had a good amount of money to spend but it will do what I need it to do. It is just a tad heavier than what I was looking at... not much just a little, so I'll just workout a bit more.

It is a Vanguard Alta Pro 263 with a Vanguard SBH 100 ballhead.

[ilovelucydog]

Many possible scenarios as stated above, just take a look around here to see the results gained from long exposure etc.

I never carry a tripod as the stuff that interests me, it would only hinder the way I do things but for pin sharp HDR and stuff you should just play as much as possible. Going the whole hog, use a remote or the inbuilt timer for 100% vibration free.

The fun starts with experimenting.

Thanks, Pete!

[ilovelucydog]

Hi, Andrew-Bede. My tripod was a gift to me so it may not be the best or lightest or what I would have chosen if I had a good amount of money to spend but it will do what I need it to do and I am grateful and super excited to have it!!!! It is just a tad heavier than what I was looking at... not much... just a little, so I'll just workout a bit more.

It is a Vanguard Alta Pro 263 with a Vanguard SBH 100 ballhead.

[ktuli]

Mary,

Please do let us know what you think of that combo. I just picked up a Manfrotto and a grip head, but will probably look for a decent regular ballhead as well.

- Bill

[ilovelucydog]

Mary,

Please do let us know what you think of that combo. I just picked up a Manfrotto and a grip head, but will probably look for a decent regular ballhead as well.

- Bill

I will... but... since I started out clueless... my viewpoint... well... you know what I mean.

[Sahil]

I Have a Tripod... Now What?

Now its party time
Now keep carrying those extra kilos with yourself for nothing

[Soma Jones]

Self portraits.

[ktuli]

I will... but... since I started out clueless... my viewpoint... well... you know what I mean.

Yeah - it means that your assessment will be unbiased and genuine. Though I wouldn't use the word 'clueless' - maybe a little less experienced, but not clueless.

- Bill

[ilovelucydog]

Yeah - it means that your assessment will be unbiased and genuine. Though I wouldn't use the word 'clueless' - maybe a little less experienced, but not clueless.

- Bill

You're very kind.