Ready to learn? Let’s dive in.
1. Choosing the Wrong Tripod
A tripod is not something you should just order online or pick up in a big-box store. Instead, you have to find the right one based on many factors. Here are some great reasons to invest in a good tripod.
The most important thing to consider is your camera and lens weight. You don’t want to take chances with your gear worth thousands of dollars. The tripod should be sturdy enough to hold your camera-lens combo. You can check the weight limit of the tripod and choose accordingly.
There are other things to consider, too, from the material to the weight of the tripod. You want strong yet lightweight material. If you’re a nature photographer who spends most of the time outdoors, choose lighter materials like carbon fiber. You’ll appreciate it during long hikes. For studio work, go for a solid aluminum tripod.
2. Using the Wrong Type of Tripod Head
You can use many types of heads with your tripod. For example, there are ball heads, pan-and-tilt heads, fluid heads, geared heads, and so on. You need to do some research to identify the best type of head for your genre. Each type of head has pros and cons, so check carefully.
Choosing the right head for your photography type is crucial to get the photos you want. For instance, a ball head will not work if you’re a product photographer who wants precision, try a geared head instead. A ball head is great for landscape photography, though. Here are our picks for the best inexpensive fluid heads.
3. Extending the Lower Legs First
It may seem convenient and intuitive to extend the lower legs of the tripod first. But it is not good practice because you’re adding weight to the thinnest part of your tripod. So, it can make your tripod unstable. Any slight movement can shake your tripod, leaving you with blurry images.
Extend the thicker top legs first, and your tripod will be comparatively sturdier. If it is possible, avoid expanding the lower legs at all. Also, when shortening your tripod’s height, start with the lower legs first. This may not make your back happy, but your images will be super sharp.
4. Raising the Center Column Fully
The center column on your tripod can be handy when you need just a bit more height, but avoid raising it entirely. When you extend it fully, it essentially becomes a monopod that is atop a tripod. A camera that is on a tripod is adequately balanced on its three legs and is way more stable than a camera on a single leg of the center column.
So, should you just forget that there is a center column? Not necessarily. Don’t raise it more than halfway—your camera and photos will be safe and secure.
5. Ignoring the Spirit Level
One of the main benefits of using a tripod is keeping the lines straight in your photos. Most tripods are equipped with a spirit level or bubble level to ensure the tripod is leveled, as well as the horizons in your landscape scenes or the lines in your architectural photos staying straight.
Make sure to check if it is aligned in the center. This step is especially important if the surface is uneven or rocky.
Many novice tripod users often overlook this feature. However, it is a handy tool that can save you time and improve the look of your photos—you don’t have to spend hours cropping and tilting your pictures in post-production. If you’re stuck in such an unfortunate situation, here’s a way to crop your images in batches using Lightroom.
6. Not Tightening the Knobs
There are many horror stories of photographers losing thousands of dollars worth of equipment due to loose knobs or screws. You may feel that you’re careful and things like that probably won’t happen to you, but think again. Always double-check if all the knobs are tight and the levers are in position.
The same goes for attaching the head. Again, you want it to sit tight on the tripod. Be especially careful with ball heads. If the ball head is loose, your camera can tilt quickly and crash the whole setup. Even if something as dramatic doesn’t happen, loose knobs can cause a camera shake, making your images blurry and unusable.
7. Not Using the Foot Spikes
When we buy a new tripod, most of us take out the essential items, leave the rest of the accessories in the package, and forget all about them. Unfortunately, foot spikes are often one of these forgotten accessories.
As the name suggests, foot spikes have spikes that can provide more traction than your default tripod legs. Are you planning to shoot on rough or loose surfaces like ice or sand? Shooting with foot spikes can make a night and day difference. Your tripod will be more secure, and your photos will be crisp.
8. Not Counterbalancing
Your tripod likely has a hook under its legs for counterbalancing. When you add some weight to it, it acts as a counterweight to balance your tripod.
You don’t have to give it a thought for most studio shots. But, when you’re outside, exposed to elements, or have a long lens, it is a good idea to utilize it. A sudden gust of wind is all it takes to bring your setup crashing down. Plus, having a steady setup will give you clear images.
If your tripod has a 90-degree center column, you need counterweights to balance the tripod. When the arm is extended at a right angle, the weight of your camera can topple it.
You can buy sandbags to use as a counterweight, but you can use your backpack too. Just make sure your bag is heavy enough to balance the weight.
9. Using the Camera’s Shutter Button
After you set your camera on the tripod, you should use a shutter release to take photos. You will introduce a camera shake if you press the shutter button on your camera. Many new photographers overlook this fact when using a tripod.
Shutter releases are inexpensive accessories, and you can buy them online. If you don’t have one yet, use your camera’s self-timer mode.
Know Your Tripod
A tripod is an essential tool for a photographer, but they come in all shapes and sizes with different head options. So before investing in one, understand your photography type and your needs.
Generally, we use a tripod to avoid camera shake when shooting with a slow shutter speed. Using the wrong tripod or misusing it is as good as not having one at all. Learning the common mistakes will help you avoid them and take your photos to the next level.
