Basic Photography Course

are particularly useful when covering fast events, when
using long-focal-length lenses, or when a tripod is too
cumbersome to use. These hand-held supports are
usually fitted with a cable release for firing the shutter.

Camera shake can cause fuzzy photographs. Some

cameras have built-in capabilities that help reduce
camera vibration or shake; for instance, on a single-lens
reflex (SLR) camera, the mirror "jumps" up when the

shutter is fired-that causes vibration. On some SLRs
you can lock the mirror up before taking the picture to
avoid this; however, the disadvantage of locking the
mirror is that you are unable to see through the
viewfinder. Also, the pressure of your finger on the
shutter release can cause some camera shake. `This does
not happen on cameras with a delayed shutter release
because the camera compensates by automatically

delaying the shutter release. Additionally, cable release
can be used to fire the shutter without handling the

camera

CAMERA SUPPORTS

To ensure absolutely sharp photographs, you must

use some type of camera support. Few photographers
can hold a camera absolutely steady, especially for
exposures longer than about 1/60 second or even shorter
exposures when using long-focal-length lenses. When
using telephoto lenses or shooting motion media, you
must remember that camera movement can become
critical. Even the slightest camera movement is
magnified and becomes very apparent in enlargements
of still photographs or when motion-media footage is

viewed.

The ideal camera support should be strong, firm,

and allow as much adjustment of camera height and
angle as possible. The design of a support to be carried
outside the lab should be compact and lightweight, while
still providing a firm, rigid camera support.

Most pictures are taken holding the camera by hand

because camera supports are often bulky, heavy, and
inconvenient to carry on many assignments; however,
you should use a camera support when it is appropriate
to do so. This allows you to produce the sharp pictures
that are characteristic of a truly professional
photographer.

Tripods

The best way to support your camera is with a

sturdy, rigid, tripod. Tripods are three-legged camera
supports with flat platforms or heads in which cameras
are secured. Most tripods are equipped with a head that

has an elevator center post. The camera is attached to
this center post and is raised or lowered easily by
cranking the post up or down. These elevators eliminate
the need for readjusting all three tripod legs for making
small, last minute adjustments to the camera height.

Tripods come in a variety of designs, sizes, and

weights (fig. 5-2). The heavier models are the sturdiest
and provide the best support; however, if too heavy, they
are not very portable. As a general rule, the heavier your
camera, the heavier and stronger your tripod must be.
For some of the light, full-size tripods, rigidity can be
improved by hanging a bag of sand or another weight
from the tripod head This is especially useful in high
winds. Another method is to hang a strap from the tripod
head, and use the strap as a foothold on which to apply
downward pressure (fig. 5-3).

Tabletop tripods are also available and can be used

almost anywhere a flat surface is available. These small
tabletop tripods can even be braced against the
photographer's chest. Because of their small size, they
can easily be carried in a camera bag.

To set up a tripod, extend one leg straight ahead

toward the subject. This way the camera may be aimed
by pivoting the tripod on this one leg. Extend the other
two legs and adjust them to level the tripod platform
horizontally. When setting up a tripod on level ground,
you can waste a lot of time trying to get the tripod level
if the leg sections are not fully extended. An easy
solution to the problem is to mark the tripod legs in
specific increments with a marking pen, pencil, or
scribe. One method is to mark short lines at l-inch
intervals and long lines at 6-inch intervals. Doing this
reduces your frustration, saves time, and allows you to
level your camera on the tripod with less effort. When a
tripod is set up on an uneven surface, several
adjustments of the side legs are normally necessary.
Readjustment of the front leg levels the camera
vertically so the platform or head is level. Most newer
tripods have platforms that can be adjusted by
eliminating the need for minor leg adjustments.

To mount the camera on the tripod head, you secure

it in place by tightening the tripod screw into the camera
tripod socket. Secure the camera by tightening the
camera clamp screw locknut. After the camera is
mounted on the tripod, test the camera to ensure all
camera controls are accessible and function properly.
The camera should be stable and not shake when the
camera controls are operated.

5-3

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Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> are particularly useful when covering fast events, when using long-focal-length lenses, or when a tripod is too cumbersome to use. These hand-held supports are usually fitted with a cable release for firing the shutter. Camera shake can cause fuzzy photographs. Some cameras have built-in capabilities that help reduce camera vibration or shake; for instance, on a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, the mirror "jumps" up when the shutter is fired-that causes vibration. On some SLRs you can lock the mirror up before taking the picture to avoid this; however, the disadvantage of locking the mirror is that you are unable to see through the viewfinder. Also, the pressure of your finger on the shutter release can cause some camera shake. `This does not happen on cameras with a delayed shutter release because the camera compensates by automatically delaying the shutter release. Additionally, cable release can be used to fire the shutter without handling the camera CAMERA SUPPORTS To ensure absolutely sharp photographs, you must use some type of camera support. Few photographers can hold a camera absolutely steady, especially for exposures longer than about 1/60 second or even shorter exposures when using long-focal-length lenses. When using telephoto lenses or shooting motion media, you must remember that camera movement can become critical. Even the slightest camera movement is magnified and becomes very apparent in enlargements of still photographs or when motion-media footage is viewed. The ideal camera support should be strong, firm, and allow as much adjustment of camera height and angle as possible. The design of a support to be carried outside the lab should be compact and lightweight, while still providing a firm, rigid camera support. Most pictures are taken holding the camera by hand because camera supports are often bulky, heavy, and inconvenient to carry on many assignments; however, you should use a camera support when it is appropriate to do so. This allows you to produce the sharp pictures that are characteristic of a truly professional photographer. Tripods The best way to support your camera is with a sturdy, rigid, tripod. Tripods are three-legged camera supports with flat platforms or heads in which cameras are secured. Most tripods are equipped with a head that has an elevator center post. The camera is attached to this center post and is raised or lowered easily by cranking the post up or down. These elevators eliminate the need for readjusting all three tripod legs for making small, last minute adjustments to the camera height. Tripods come in a variety of designs, sizes, and weights (fig. 5-2). The heavier models are the sturdiest and provide the best support; however, if too heavy, they are not very portable. As a general rule, the heavier your camera, the heavier and stronger your tripod must be. For some of the light, full-size tripods, rigidity can be improved by hanging a bag of sand or another weight from the tripod head This is especially useful in high winds. Another method is to hang a strap from the tripod head, and use the strap as a foothold on which to apply downward pressure (fig. 5-3). Tabletop tripods are also available and can be used almost anywhere a flat surface is available. These small tabletop tripods can even be braced against the photographer's chest. Because of their small size, they can easily be carried in a camera bag. To set up a tripod, extend one leg straight ahead toward the subject. This way the camera may be aimed by pivoting the tripod on this one leg. Extend the other two legs and adjust them to level the tripod platform horizontally. When setting up a tripod on level ground, you can waste a lot of time trying to get the tripod level if the leg sections are not fully extended. An easy solution to the problem is to mark the tripod legs in specific increments with a marking pen, pencil, or scribe. One method is to mark short lines at l-inch intervals and long lines at 6-inch intervals. Doing this reduces your frustration, saves time, and allows you to level your camera on the tripod with less effort. When a tripod is set up on an uneven surface, several adjustments of the side legs are normally necessary. Readjustment of the front leg levels the camera vertically so the platform or head is level. Most newer tripods have platforms that can be adjusted by eliminating the need for minor leg adjustments. To mount the camera on the tripod head, you secure it in place by tightening the tripod screw into the camera tripod socket. Secure the camera by tightening the camera clamp screw locknut. After the camera is mounted on the tripod, test the camera to ensure all camera controls are accessible and function properly. The camera should be stable and not shake when the camera controls are operated. 5-3 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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