Tripod Tips

[neiljohnson]

Hi everyone how are we doing?

I am going to be out in Liverpool tomorrow and will be taking my tripod with me.  Does anyone have any tips on using a tripod in an urban setting?  Some do's and dont's would be appreciated thanks 

I am particularly concerned about how secure it will be to use it in a public place.

[phil1066]

Yeah good point Neil, are you thinking of going far from it then? I've only used tripods (so far) in car parks and the like when no-one else has really been around. sure i've had to move a car or two around to get the right angle for the shot, but its always been not far away.

Guess maybe its the whole night-urban shoot thing again with 'bring a mate' 

anyway, let me know how you get on and what approach you take 

Maybe someone else has done this already?

[neiljohnson]

Thanks Phil.  As it is the weather is attrocious today so I have postponed.  Will be looking to work close to the tripod but don't want people coming up to me and asking questions, think I will hire an entourage to stand around me  (hold up a sign like they do in the golf...."QUIET, PHOTOGRAPHER AT WORK")

[JamesC]

What about a high vis vest. It might make you look more like a surveyor or something official. On the other hand it might get you noticed even more!

[JamesC]

Also try shooting early on a Sunday morning. I do this sometimes and there is hardly anyone around. Just watch out for drunk people from the night before .

[phil1066]

Good ideas - I have thought about shooting early on Sundays in Auckland too. Watch out for pavement pizzas too! 

[neiljohnson]

Ewww that's disgusting Phil!

But could make a good abstract perhaps? 

[phil1066]

But could make a good abstract perhaps? 

Now there's an idea

[JamesC]

I took some shots recently in Belfast at night and didn't even take a tripod with me. I used a small bean bag to rest the camera on and it worked ok. You can set up on a bridge, handrail, steps or even the ground for a dramatic angle. Just make sure to keep hold of the camera strap in case something slips . I keep my gear in a Lowepro rucksack type camera bag so I looked just like one of the many students wandering around  .

[mxbuck]

I took some shots recently in Belfast at night and didn't even take a tripod with me. I used a small bean bag to rest the camera on and it worked ok. You can set up on a bridge, handrail, steps or even the ground for a dramatic angle. Just make sure to keep hold of the camera strap in case something slips . I keep my gear in a Lowepro rucksack type camera bag so I looked just like one of the many students wandering around  .

A definite must for anyone's kit! Good tip.

[neiljohnson]

Do you mean a full sized bean bag that you sit on? or one you hold in your hand?  If the latter, did you have any problems propping it up and getting the angle right?

[JamesC]

Do you mean a full sized bean bag that you sit on? or one you hold in your hand?  If the latter, did you have any problems propping it up and getting the angle right?

It's a bean bag about 8 inches square - shaped like a small cushion. When you set up you have to push the camera down into it so it nestles into the position you want. Obviously works best if shooting along the horizon but using a wide angle lens means you get good coverage anyway. If it's difficult to see thru the viewfinder take a shot and preview it on the lcd screen and reposition if necessary. I much prefer to work with a tripod but to stay as inconspicuous as possible this is an alternative.
BTW I met a couple of photographers the same night with tripods but 2 people are less likely to get mugged .