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Tripod Alternatives for Photographers

Tripod Alternatives for Photographers

R. Dodge Woodson

Magnificent Monopods

Monopods may be one of the best inventions to come along for outdoor photographers. These stick-like supports do a super job, and they can be packed and carried with ease. Monopods are light in weight, don't take up much room, and can provide a very steady platform for your camera. Don't waste your money on cheap models. Buy a good quality monopod and enjoy it.

Monopods are great for photographers who are covering sporting events, capturing photos of wildlife, or focusing in on a final sunset. A one-legged support can't give you the rock-hard steady platform that a tripod can, but it will provide more than enough support for most types of shots. The big advantage to a monopod is that it is so easy to carry with you that it will be there when you need it, and a heavy tripod may not be.

Support Sacks

You can improve many aspects of your location photography by acquiring, or making, support sacks for your camera lens. These devices are available commercially, but they are also easy to make. What is a support sack? It is basically a bag that is filled with some type of moldable material that will conform to the shape of your camera lens. The filling could be styrofoam beads, buckshot, sand, kitty litter, foam rubber, or even pine needles. Since bags that are light in weight are more enjoyable to carry, I would stay away from sand and buckshot as a filler material.

The concept behind support sacks is simple. You place the sack on a solid object, like a rock or the edge of your vehicle, and then nestle the lens of your camera into the sack. Once the lens has settled into the material, you have a very sturdy support for your camera and lens. For a sack to work, you need something stable to place it on, and you are limited by the availability of such places. Another drawback to a sack is that you cannot adjust its height.

Every type of camera support has its own strong points. Sacks are great for photographers who are shooting from their vehicles or who want a low camera angle to capture something close to the ground or floor. This type of support won't do you a lot of good at the zoo or while taking wedding pictures, but there are many times when a support sack is just the right tool for a steady picture.

Sharp Shots

You can use a variety of clamp devices to secure your camera to all sorts of stable objects. A simple C-clamp that is equipped to thread into the tripod socket of your camera body is great for occasions when you are taking pictures from your vehicle. Install the clamp on a window and mount your camera. Raise or lower the window to change the height of your camera. You can tilt and pan this type of support for more versatility. It's amazing how much help such a simple and inexpensive item like this can be.

C-clamps can be attached to tree branches, railings, windows, and all sorts of other items. However, they are limited in their size, and this can be a problem. For example, you would not be able to get a C-clamp secured on the trunk of many trees. But never fear, tree clamps are available. These clamps circle a tree and provide a very sturdy support for your camera.

When you start to shop of photography accessories, you may be amazed at how many there are. If there is something that you want to do with your camera, you can feel pretty sure that someone is selling something that will allow you to do it.

Teeny-Weeny Tripods

Tiny tripods may not seem like much of a support system, but even they have their place in good photography. I have a little tripod that has retractable legs. The entire unit has a diameter similar to that of a D-cell flashlight battery. Total length is probably about six inches, when the legs are contained. This itsy bitsy tripod works well for table-top setups and low-to-the-ground shots, but it does require me to hold it. The tripod is not sturdy enough to support a camera and lens safely on its own.

I have found another very good use for my table-top tripod. It can be used as something of a chest-pod. By extending the legs and pressing them into my chest, the little tripod makes an excellent support. The ball-and-socket swivels to put my viewfinder at eye level while the tripod extends outward from my chest. This creates a surprisingly stable shooting platform.

Gun Grips

Gun-type grips are another support option for your camera. The device I'm referring to is similar in design to the stock of a rifle or shotgun. Your camera is mounted on the device and is fired by a shutter-release that is incorporated into the system. By pulling the shoulder stock in tight to your body and supporting the extended end with one hand, it's possible to get very steady shots.

If you get caught afield without a commercial camera support, you may have to improvise. Brace your camera or lens against the trunk of a tree to stabilize it. Settle your lens between the forks of a tree or tree branch to hold it still. Use a fence to support the base of your camera. Fences, rails and posts are frequent supports for zoo photographers. If you're doing your photography indoors, a door frame will work as a make-shift support. The back of a chair can be used to steady your lens. If you take the time to look around, you are almost certain to find something that will add some stability to your camera. The few moments spent looking for such a support can mean the difference between a great picture and a blurry one.

About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson is a full-time internationally-known, best-selling author and photographer. Dodge recently entered semi-retirement and created the World Photographers Organization (WPO). Photographers of all skill levels come to WPO to learn, to increase their sales, and to take advantage of the extensive resources offered to the general public and members. He also created an e-commerce site, www.ccionlinesales.com to showcase his brainchild. the Book Buster e-books. The site offers a full selection of Book Busters, e-books, used bound books, new bound books, stock photography, and much more. Having been a pro photographer for more than 30 years and a full-time writer for 17 years, Dodge now feels it is time to share his tricks of the trade with up-and-coming freelancers.

How do you cope with self employment, in a job you really don't like anymore?

I am self employed and hate my job. But unfortunately, as a sole trader, I can't get the sack very easily. I did call myself into the office and told me to improve my attitude, or I will show myself the door. I pointed out that I was waiting in the wings to poach my job.

Seriously, how do you recover lost motivation?

Amazing,you could be me as I'm in the same situation.
I think we're stuck with it mate!
Roll on retirement.

Inside the Open Door Video - Creighton University - Sack Lunches

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Santa Door Sack $16.95 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Santa Door Sack Fill our Santa Door Sack with team spirit! Each sack features a plush Santa, dressed in each team's official team colors and logo. Measures 21.5".

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Santa Sack $19.95 Santa Sack

Sack of Asuncion $39.99 Sack of Asuncion - Giclee Print

Sack Racers $39.99 Sack Racers - Giclee Print

Quarterback Sack $19.99 Quarterback Sack - Premium Poster

Wool Sack $24.99 Wool Sack - Photographic Print

Sack Factory $24.99 Sack Factory - Photographic Print

Sack of Money $24.99 Sack of Money - Photographic Print

Washington Redskins Santa Door $16.95 Washington Redskins Santa Door Fill our Santa Door Sack with team spirit! Each sack features a plush Santa, dressed in each team's official team colors and logo. Measures 21.5".

Jacksonville Jaguars Santa Door $16.95 Jacksonville Jaguars Santa Door Fill our Santa Door Sack with team spirit! Each sack features a plush Santa, dressed in each team's official team colors and logo. Measures 21.5".

Dub Sack $6 Dub Sack - Blaze Ya Dead Homie

The Sack of Troy $34.99 Jean Béraud The Sack of Troy - Giclee Print

Jason Latex Sack Mask $49.99 Jason Latex Sack Mask

Wine Sack-Moka Collection $14.95 Wine Sack-Moka Collection

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Cook with Love Flour Sack $3.99 Cook with Love Flour Sack.

KY Pony Lunch Sack $12.95 KY Pony Lunch Sack

Helmet Sack $4.99 HJC Helmet Sack The Helmet Sack is made of soft, velvety, stretchable fabric with a draw cord that keeps your helmet snug and protected while not in use

Echo Beach Sack With Grommets $38 Beach sack with grommets Color: Navy

Echo Terry Beach Sack $48 Terry beach sack Color: Brown

Two-Button Sack $59.99 Two-Button Sack - Wall Decal

Seat Sack 00772 LocknSack Pack of 2 $34.97 Perfect companion to the Locker SackT. Features seven roomy pockets. Great replacement for a pencil pouch. Magnetically attaches to a locker s door. Totally portable LocknSackr folds in half to take to class or home. The perfect place to keep pens pencils notecards cell phones ipods and more.

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Stork Carrying Baby In Sack $44.99 Stork Carrying Baby In Sack - Giclee Print

Clay Matthews Sack Celebration $99.99 Clay Matthews Sack Celebration - Wall Decal

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Three-Button Conservative Sack $59.99 Three-Button Conservative Sack - Wall Decal

Hadaki 5.5 Jewelry Sack O'floral $22.5 Hadaki cotton jewelry sack o'floral.

Hadaki 5.5 Jewelry Sack O'express $27 Hadaki cotton jewelry sack o'express.

Grain Sack Round Pouf Ottoman $208 Grain Sack Round Pouf Ottoman

Sack (Wine) $81.25 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Sack is an antiquated wine term referring to white fortified wine imported from mainland Spain or the Canary Islands. The term Sherris sack later gave way to Sherry as the English term for fortified wine from Jerez. Since Sherry is practically the only of these wines still widely exported and consumed, sack (by itself, without qualifier) is commonly but not quite correctly quoted as an old synonym for Sherry. Most sack was probably sweet, and matured in wooden barrels for a limited time. In modern terms, typical sack may have resembled cheaper versions of medium Oloroso Sherry. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 114 Publication Date: 2010/08/06 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.27 inches

Cat-In-A-Sack Toy Assorted $1.89 Cat-In-A-Sack Toy Assorted Ethical Cat Whimsical cat toy. Cat body in a sack. Contains catnip.

Sack Paper $71.7 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Sack Kraft Paper, or just sack paper is a porous kraft paper with high elasticity and high tear resistance, designed for packaging products with high demands for strength and durability. Wood pulp for sack paper is made from softwood by the kraft process. The long fibers provides the paper its strength and is added wet strength chemicals to even further improve the strength. Both white and brown grades are made. Sack paper is then produced on a paper machine from the wood pulp. The paper is microcrepped to give porosity and elastisity. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 94 Publication Date: 2010/08/05 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.23 inches

Sack of Antwerp $113.11 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The sack of Antwerp during the Eighty Years War is known as the Spanish Fury.On 4 November 1576, Spanish tercios began the sack of Antwerp, leading to three days of horror among the population of the city, which was the cultural, economic and financial center of the Netherlands. The principal cause of the sack was the delay in payment due the soldiers by Philip II. Spain had recently declared bankruptcy, and 400,000 florins intended as payment to the troops were seized by the government of Elizabeth I when ships containing the florins sought shelter from a storm in English ports. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 178 Publication Date: 2010/08/05 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.41 inches

Adriano Sack $58.94 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Adriano Sack ( 1967 in Koln) ist ein deutscher Schriftsteller und Journalist. Nach seinem Schulabschluss studierte Adriano Sack zunachst Architektur. Spater wechselte er in den Journalismus. Nach einem Volontariat bei dem Monatsmagazin Prinz arbeitete er u. a. bei Tempo, Die Woche und Der Spiegel. 1994 war Sack einer der Teilnehmer an der deutschen Version von MTVs Format The Real World, welches unter dem Titel Das wahre Leben in Berlin entstand und unverschlusselt auf Premiere ausgestrahlt wurde. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 68 Publication Date: 2010/08/25 Language: German Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.16 inches

The Saint with a Sack of Apple Seeds $49.99 Richard Hook The Saint with a Sack of Apple Seeds - Giclee Print

The Sack of a Church During the Revolution $39.99 Jacques Francois Joseph Swebach The Sack of a Church During the Revolution - Giclee Print

Redcoats Sack a New England $34.99 Jennifer Thompson Redcoats Sack a New England - Giclee Print

Sack of Pennies Worth $50 $79.99 Nina Leen Sack of Pennies Worth $50 - Premium Photographic Print

Lunch Sack Outerspace $14.95 Our new Outer Space Lunch Sack is truly out of this world! Your child will love eating with their lunch with this Lunch Sack as they ponder the wonders of outer space!

Patriotic Potato Sack $1.49 This product includes (1) Polyester Patriotic Potato Sack to match your theme. This potato sack measures approximately 23.5" wide x 41" long.

Thor Movie - Drawstring Treat Sack $5.99 Includes treat sack. This is an officially licensed Thor product.

Polka Dot Giant Gift Sack $4.99 Polka Dot Giant Gift Sack is made of plastic.

Echo Graphic Diamonds Beach Sack $58 Graphic diamonds Beach Sack Color: Royal Blue

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