How to Use a Tripod

Tripods are a crucial part of a photographer’s toolkit, especially when needing more stability for critical shots. Below are some tips on how to properly use a tripod.

When to Use a Tripod

There’s plenty of situations to use a tripod in your photography. See below for some ideas.

A Word on Monopods

A monopod is a single column with a tripod screw on top. A spike at the bottom of some heavy-duty monopods digs into the ground. Others are handheld. They are often used in conjunction with a tripod to support heavy telephoto lenses. A fixed 400mm, for example, is a struggle for a photographer to support with one hand. These longer lenses tend to be supplied with a tripod ring which fits around the lens. These have a tripod screw on them, which can be attached to a monopod. It is also handy if you are trekking out in the wilderness to capture a lovely nature photo and need a bit of support while hiking to get to that location. It is especially useful when taking pictures in locations with limited space as a monopod has a smaller footprint than a tripod. This is also the case where some places may not allow a tripod due to their size.