Love the video. I'm paraplagic and so a wheelchair user, so using a tripod is a bit of a pain, but I've recently learned about the Manfrotto Magic Arm (or, rather, the Variable Friction variant) and use it clamped to my wheelchair. A great way of doing things. To get down low, I can either use the arm, or use a mini tripod. I bought a Nikon D7200 so that I can use my camera as a viewfinder, via wi-fi, when I need to. It's a great camera. I wouldn't be able to get across that sand thoogh, not in my current wheelchair! :-)
You are an inspiration! Photography is for everyone and I see it just as another form of therapy for me. I'm not a pro, I don't have some online course or book, and I don't share misery of my photos. It's about getting out, taking photos and creating something.
Two more suggestions: If your tripod has a hook on the underside of the center column, you can hang a weight (like your backpack) from it to increase stability. And second, I think it would be wiser to use the thickest leg sections first, when you're not using the legs fully extended. Maybe not much of advice, but still, every bit of added stability helps right? This is not a criticism of this video, just wanted to be helpfull. Really liked the video, and absolutely love the pictures you took! Thanks!
The thing I found most interesting in this video is that you went out on a dull, grey day and captured some really interesting photos. Inspired me to get out with my camera more.
As usual your enthusiasm and perseverance made yet another enjoyable video to watch. I noticed your Tripod was sinking in the mud? Just a tip but I carry 3 old CD's (something dreadful that you don't mind trashing like the Spice Girls Greatest Hits etc etc) and I put a CD under each leg and it stops it sinking in the mud. Costs and weights nothing and takes up no room in your bag. Keep up the great videos Henry - I look forward to them popping up in my Must Watch list
To your third point, not sure if your tripod has a hook on it or not (whether on the center column at the bottom or somewhere at the tripod’s top) but adding some weight to the tripod can help to stabilize it. There are also products out there that attach to the legs giving you a ”shelf”, if you will, to add weight. Great job on the video!
Really helpful tips - I tend to set up my tripod first, and spend sooooo much time fiddling with it. I'll try working more on my shot composition and setting up the tripod at the end. Thanks so much for the tip!
Great photos on a very nondescript day! You said in a previous video "If you're not in, you can't win" and that's so true. Get out there and take photos, embrace the weather! I also love the fact you use tools most of us can afford, including the beast! You don't have the latest and greatest £10k camera but you know how to get the best out of the 7200.
Very valuable video for me. I have just upgraded (2 days ago) from an entry level D3200, to a D750 which came with, amongst other things (2 good lenses), a Manfredo tripod. All I have had previously was a very basic tripod bought in the 1970’s. So looking forward to discovering what a real tripod can do for me.
My own tripod-related suggestions: (1) get a tripod with either a removable center column, or none at all. Getting the camera only inches above the ground literally opens up new vistas and compositions, including macros. (2) Mount the camera via an L-bracket, especially one that's dedicated for your specific camera body. Coincidentally, I just discussed that very accessory in my own most recent video. It will let you center the camera over the tripod's center of gravity in portrait orientation as well as landscape. A dedicated L-bracket (rather than a generic model) will allow access to all ports and doors, and will even permit full use of your LCD if you have a flippy screen like a Canon or a Sony A7SIII.
Ive had a camera in front of my face for 45 years. The "L" bracket holds a place in MY top5 best camera accessories ever! Guess Arca - Swiss goes hand in hand.
Thanks for the tips ! 1) An L bracket is key to get the center of gravity of the camera center tripod in portrait mode and you have the same freedom of adjusting. 2) I normally only extend the thick legs half way when I'm not fully extending the tripod, this makes is steadier. 3) For soft soil you can place old CD's under the legs to prevent the legs from sinking in the soil while trying to do a long exposure. Of course longer focus lengts give more (risk of) shake, try multiple shots where you vary the shutter speed - ISO - aperture
Hi Henry Good to see you encouraging people to go out in "bad" weather for their photography. A little extra tip for tripod use: when the wind is blowing and the tripod is shaking, hang a weight from under the tripod. This can be a plastic bag that you brought along with you (empty) and you can fill with water, sand or rocks, the heavier the better. Or even hang your camera bag on the tripod. This will make it far more rigid and calm down the 'shakes'. Sometimes I will actually hang the extra weight onto the camera itself and thereby eliminate/diminish the vibration that exists in the linkage between the camera and tripod. When you're finished the whole lot can simply be emptied out and put in your pocket. You don't have to carry that weight around with you.
I noticed the shutter speed thing the first time I put my new 100-400GM on a tripod at sunset, iso 100 was just not possible. Another tip to help with tripod rigidity is make the narrow bottom section of each leg the last one to be extended. So when you're low and only need one section extended, use the upper thickest portion of each leg.
Those sea cliffs for anybody interested: Heysham Barrows. They are eroding fast and can change week to week. There are some interesting fossils revealed- then gone again in the next rock fall-as well as some stone cut graves and the amazing ruins of St Patrick's Chapel. And not far from a shipwreck too. What a great place for photos!
Pitching in with a tip of my own: many tripods have a hook on the bottom of the centre column, hang your camera bag from it to increase stability on those windy days! Just ensure the bag isn't swinging before hitting the shutter 👍😁 If you know who I'm speaking about, you'll know this is a huge compliment; I'm getting real Adam Karnacz vibes from your speech, mannerisms, the format and quality of your video. First time seeing you on youtube and, although i'm familiar with all the tips you've shown here, i'm happy to subscribe knowing that i'll find value in your videos along the line! Love that boulder image, really nice! Keen to see some more of your work, mate ✌
I always remember a bit of advice I was given from a more knowledgeable person that I - which was always try to shoot using the lowest ISO possible - and only ever increase the ISO if you cannot get the right shutter speed for the shot you're taking.
Your calendar arrived at my home, in Melbourne, today, thank you. My wife uses a calendar for very important events like "put the bins out", so she's pleased. We're both from the UK so we'll enjoy looking at your images, particularly the snow scene in December when we're likely to be sweltering in the summer heat! Thanks for your work, Henry, your enthusiasm is in infectious.
Nice images for such a blustery day Henry. I actually use exposure delay mode rather than the self timer on my D7200 and 750. It serves the same purpose but flips the mirror up prior to starting the timer. Keep up the good work. Have been enjoying your videos.
Thank you for your video and lessons. As a student, I appreciate every bit of practical information on how to become a better photographer and being able to adapt to the circumstances of the moment without loosing focus on what I want to achieve. Your attitude is very Positive and Inspiring. With gratitude for your Time and the Work you do.🙏 THANK YOU!
4:34 I don't use camera strap anymore because it's annoying. Also don't forget to turn off the vibration reduction on your lens if you using tripod. And I totally agree to find the composition first then start to extend your tripod when you really sure. Low angle is my go to when using tripod but it looks funky especially when you need to lay down very low and don't have that flip up screen haha but okay what's important more is the result. And yea, expose well for the photos. Crank up that ISO, no regret.
Buying and using a tripod has resulted in the single biggest improvement I have had in my photography. It slowed me down and made me think more about my settings/techniques and compositions.
A lot of tripods you can get even lower if you need to by flipping that middle pole around vertically and having the camera hanging upside down between the 3 legs.
I take many photos of plants/fungi at ground level and agree with you. The upside-down camera is a pain (unless you can stand on your head). Another problem is that the central column stops the tripod from going as low as it might, without a lot of fiddling. So, I made my own very short central column for my Giotto tripod. This allows me to extend the tripod as low as the legs allow. In addition, I bought myself a strip of 1/4 inch aluminium and fashioned it to hang the camera upright under the tripod when the standard column is used. This arrangement allows me to operate the camera at ground level. It works well enough.
Best Photo Advice ever: "Thats the hand I ahve been dealt today, and I am going to make the best of it." Thats the difference between a "TH-cam" photog and a real one.
@@johnsmith1474 nah! you're looking at it wrong! Look where the poor lad lives!!! If it were the old days of film I'd say shoot it all in B&W!!! God Save the Queen!
I used to take pictures of people differently than "things." Now, I think about "who am I capturing" and "what emotions am I evoking in the viewer" as I'm walking around an area looking for the right composition. Even though it's merely a rock, asking myself those 2 questions makes me choose how I'm going to capture and portray my subject with the composition that I choose. Just like when photographing people, I try to get at "eye level" with the subject I'm photographing, even if it is a rock. I am certainly not a professional photographer, but my pictures have certainly improved because of this technique. I don't know if other people use it, but it works for me.
I agree with Mark Hives about hanging a backpack or even a bag filled with pebbles or sand obtained on site. I have also on occasions applied a downward pressure on my tripod when doing lunar shots with a 300mm lens. I am usually holding my breath while I do so.
Don't forget that most tripods have a hook on the bottom of the center column. This is for hanging your backpack on to help weigh the tripod down even more in those windy conditions. Great video, first one of yours i have seen, you got a new sub :)
You're so right about your self-timer (without a cable release). The slightest touch of your camera on a tripod causes movement. THat's why so many film cameras had mirror lock-up as well. Even the mirror slap caused blurring movement. Regardless of how heavy your tripod is. That's why I LOVE the Fuji X-E system - it takes regular old cable releases! I use one from my 1903 Kodak Autographic Special 116 camera on the Fuji. Also, get rid of the center column. The moment you raise the column, you lose stability.
Some very useful tips here Henry. There are some other things which are useful which I think are worth a mention. For those folk using a DSLR (as opposed to mirrorless) it's worth locking the mirror up before taking a shot as it separates out the movement of the mirror which creates the loud 'clunk', and with it vibration, from the movement of the shutter. This further reduces vibration in the camera. It's also important to avoid using the centre column if you can, as this is much more prone to vibration, especially if it is extended to any degree. (I bought a set of legs which does not have a centre column). Finally, as the tripod gets higher, it's going to be more prone to vibration. In part this is because the bottom section of the legs is likely to be significantly thinner than the top section and also because there is greater leverage on the tripod, especially if it is windy, when it is at full height. Hope these comments are helpful.
Long, but IMO worth the read. Thanks. Good info and I love the second photo! I finally got one of my friends to consistently use her tripod and now she gives me the stink eye whenever she sees me with my camera off mine. I told her I need to find the composition first. Still get the stink eye. :-D Do you have the problem with the tripod sinking into the wet sand? I had to buy the foot cups b/c mine would sink fast enough that I could see it happening. My long (even long-ish) exposures weren't coming out. I have the 2 section CF version of that tripod and I have to say I regret purchasing it. Just as heavy as my old aluminum Vanguard plus I had/chose to find replacement feet with retractable spikes that would fit it. None are made for it so parts are for a different brand. +$40. Popping the column back down from it's horizontal position is a PITA. It has to be lined up perfectly or it won't go in. Whoever designed this didn't eat their Wheaties that morning. The thing that actually makes me *Really regret the purchase, so much so that I've considered throwing the tripod away more than once is the retaining ring on the bottom of the red part is so loose and floppy that it has fallen off so many times in the field. This causes the whole assembly to fall apart and tiny little parts to go flying away. A hands and knees search ensues. Putting it back together requires painfully pinching my fingertips and a lot of time. Last week when this happened I was so disheartened by the time I got it fixed that I just put everything away. I hate this tripod. I should just take out the center column, run a 3/8 eye bolt up through a washer and into the tripod head. Wouldn't be the first time I've done that. So an additional nugget of advise would be to get a tripod that isn't a POS and isn't going to make you not want to take photos. Also, put some gaffers tape around a leg of your tripod. You never know when you'll need it to lock down focus or tape up a broken finger. Both of which I've done. Velcro too so you don't have your remote shutter release dangling from the port on your camera.
I was so happy when I noticed you took the camera off and into your back pack. Many so called pros seem to just leave it on the tripod, very careless in my opinion. By the way just subscribed, like your relaxed approach.
Pulling the camera out of bag and putting it back in adds more overhead. It's safer for the camera, but I think a lot of people are happy to trade off a little more risk for having the camera more easily available. On most of that beach there's very little added risk to just leaving the camera on the tripod. That said I see a lot of people holding their cameras very casually.
add a sand bag or camera bag to the hook on the bottom of your tripod center shaft to add stability and lo lower the center of gravity in strong wind conditions. Just make sure the weight is sitting on the ground and not suspended, swinging in the breeze.
Thank you Henry. Switching VR on/off when using a tripod seems to make little difference. What you didn't mention is what your tripod is standing on. Wet sand is not the most stable base!
Some nice images Henry. Had a similar issue with my Nifty Fifty, got the F00 on my camera display and thankfully it was not the camera and an issue with the lens, so fingers crossed it is the same for you and you're sorted with the replacement lens
Some good advice for the beginners. Re the 2sec timer: If the camera doesn't have that function, the best option is to use a cable release. I use a Canon 5DSR with al the bells but I will often use a cable release, especially when using my 70-200mm + x2 Extender (400mm), shoot in live view and when the wind lulls I can take the shot. Also I use a "ROCK Bag sling" suspended from my tripod with rocks in it to help make the tripod more stable in windy conditions. Nice couple of images Henry, Cheers (PS: enjoy the next UK lockdown :(...)
LOL Some people say cucumbers taste better pickled? - Dave Chappelle Jk! Anything to get rid of shake is great, even when it's not yours?! There's nothing worse than a case of sea sickness, a headache, and/or ping-pong eyes from a shaky/shitty vid! Can I get a AMEN?!?!
My camera strap is hard to get off unless I release the entire strap from itself. I haven't noticed any issue if you use a sandbag instead of your backpack. You can get better weight
My advice if you are only walking a short distance and not hiking is a heavier fluid head tripod. No shakes there. It's just that a lot of tripods are quite flimsy.
First of all, Thank you for making a really good tutorial about how to use tripods, and second of all your photos look really amazing. i like the way you compose your pictures.
The suggestion that you make are very simple, but the simple things tend to be the very things we over look. It also seems that we look to overwork a solution. Thanks for highlighting about keeping it simple and pointing out the little things we may miss.
Nice job, Henry. I haven’t read all of the comments yet so this may be redundant but I always tell people to NOT extend the center column up; you then have a monopod with three legs. Keep up the good work!
i often leave the camera mounted to the tripod while walking about. i grip the strap between my hand and a leg on the pod so in case the quick disconnect comes lose i still have control of the camera
Your second advice is spot on. For the last few weeks I have been spending more time looking for a composition from different angles instead of just plonking the camera onto the tripod and taking a shot!!
A lot of tripods have a hook underneath the camera head and you can put the camera bag there if you have the tripod high enough to stop it from shaking. If you don't have a hook you can use one of the handles (feel free to choose the most appropriate depending on your bag) over the tripod head (before attaching the camera) and let it hang so it helps with the weight and reduce the shake considerably.
@17:30 about shooting in wind on a tripod. A bad recommendation I always hear, and even some camera manuals tell you, is to turn off image stabilization when using a tripod. That's fine if there is no wind at all but if there is even just a moderate breeze and you are using a long lens there will almost always be considerable shake. Turning on the stabilization all but eliminates any loss of sharpness, and can even work wonders in high winds. There is a limitation to the exposure time at which it will work as there is always some slow drift of the stabilisation that could be counterproductive for long exposures. On my camera I have tried it up to about 4 seconds exposure and it worked fine, it may work for longer ones but I haven't tried. I have a reasonably good tripod, a Manfrotto MT294 with geared head and often find I get significantly sharper shots with the stabilization turned on when using long focal lengths.
Another good idea, when you're shooting long anyway and your height is less important, is to reduce your tripod height. That visibly reduces shake. Also, shielding the tripod from wind with your body can make a huge difference. Also, adding weight to the tripod can be a quick fix.
Henry! Monstrously good video! Artful, articulate, helpful, informative, fascinating bleakness! Delighted new subscriber here. Cheers from the States, brother! 💛🙏🏼
With a real long lens on a calm day the mirror will cause enough shake to blur on my lightweight tripod. Mirror up mode with the remote in that case. Anyway with that camera you can bump the iso even higher with no trouble. VR is incredible too. Elbow to the gut for stability and hand hold that bad boy! I always am amazed when I push it a little, it’s good to know what your skills and equipment can do when you need it. Having learned on manual and film its just amazing what you can do now. So much of the conventional wisdom can be broken.
Just yesterday, I was on a hill in the night to shoot a panorama of the city and it was very windy. What helped me to still get some good shots (also Telephoto, to make it worse) was: Find some very rigid object to place the tripod on: There were big rocks, perfect. And try to keep the legs as short as possible and spread out as possible to not allow the wind to use it as a "lever" to shake the camera. And in contrary what you'd usually do, I switched shake reduction ON to get rid of the very small vibration that was still coming through. I used an Olympus OM-D which already has a fantastic shake reduction. Although it's not the typical landscape camera, the shake reduction compensates a lot. Often times you can shoot exposures of almost 2-3 seconds right out of the hand without motion blur.
And if the tripod has a hook on the column, a good heavy bag hanging off it helps, too. Takes out all the slop in the tripod legs & whatever the feet are bedded into.
7:00 "Mirror Lock-Up" is another extra setting you can use to ensure that your DSLR is not moving when taking the shot. Combined with the 2 second timer that gives you the most stable camera you can get.
Yes! Mirror lock up (MUP mode on the Nikon) + VR switch on lens off + wireless remote shutter release = perfect! Also, the remote control setting needs to be turned on. (Note: It will default to OFF after 15 minutes without shooting.)
As for wind induced shake. The conditions are rarely constant, and may vary by a lot even over the course of a few minutes. So, in this situation, I would probably capture around ten to twenty longer exposures at ISO 100 hoping for a lucky result + a few faster ones as fall back. This technique is based on what’s called ‘lucky imaging’ in planetary photography (which is one of my hobbies).
Really glad I came across your video Henry. Your advice makes so much sense, I will now adjust my ways after doing things wrong for the last 25 years lol. Feel so silly now using a tripod but pushing the button. Timer in future. Thank you and hope your camera survived ok.
Hope the camera is ok. I think I have learned most of yhose tips. My pronlem is I forget to switch off IBIS on camera. I particularly liked the second image of the rock and sand. Thanks Henry. Keep safe.
Great advice. I use the mirror up setting in conjunction with a remote trigger on my Nikon. I wait a few seconds between mirror up and exposure. No camera shake, no mirror slap. Obviously not an option with mirrorless cameras!
Always use the thickest leg section possible. This makes the setup less flimsy and you get lower center of gravity. I may also help to hang something heavy below your camera (beware of wind). If you are using an old DSLR make sure to lock up the mirror. Use electronic shutter if possible to reduce the risk of shutter shock. Don't move while the exposure is going on,
1. Timer works in a pinch, but a wired remote in mirror-up mode is better, giving you control over the timing in addition to removing mirror slap. "Wired" because it ALWAYS works! 2. Completely agree! 3. To his point on a "low vantage point" and stability, NO center column! 4. Shutter speed: I'm guilty of that too often.
All excellent points. Another way to combat camera shake is to avoid raising the center post. It's like raising the camera on a flagpole, increasing the leveraging effect of the wind or vibrations on the camera. As a general rule, don't raise the center post if you don't have the tripod legs in their fully extended positions. Notice in the video that Henry fully extended the legs to position the camera at the desired height. In the setup with the large rock it looks like he had the center post raised an inch or two, which wouldn't impact the camera's stability very much due to the low, squat, positioning of the tripod legs.
Tip for reducing wind shake: take that heavy bag off your back and hang it underneath the tripod. This will greatly increase the stability of the tripod, reducing wind shake. Thanks for your second tip: I’m very guilty of making that mistake
I disagree. Hanging your camera bag underneath your tripod, especially in windy conditions, will add movement and vibration as it swings around like a pendulum. I would suggest getting lower by spreading out the legs and use spike feet if possible.
@@chairer375 Exactly. Back in May I was shooting a sunrise at Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas, USA) and although it wasn't cold there was a howling upslope wind right onto the only spot from which I could take the shot. Not a great spot, but no other options. I had to do everything I could to keep the shot steady, including shielding the tripod with my body and waiting for those rare lulls in the wind. Shot came out sharp enough, all things considered, if a bit sub-optimal from a compositional standpoint. Great video.
@@emgee44 geting lower makes a lot of sense. I'm just thinking🤔, how about a wind breaker as used on beaches, A few rods and a canvis material in fact if its a dark colour could also be used to reduce sun flare if the sun was shining on the lens from the side🤔
Love the video Harry .. one more tip I was told from a really good photographer a while ago is turn off IS on your lens when using a tripod as it will help with getting a sharper photo .. i know that sounds wrong but it does work
Henry, ref your Tip No.3...I picked up tip from Mads Peter Iverson s while ago that in windy conditions turn the lens image stabilisation on (assuming you are using an IS lens). You probably will not need to alter ISO and aperture. I used this on some windy days in the Lake District and it worked fine. Just have to remember to turn the IS off when you have finished. Also keep your centre column down on windy days. Personally I hate tripods with centre columns but if you use one don't have the column sticking up or the wind blows it even more.
Great tips Henry, especially upping the ISO to get the faster shutter speed in windy conditions, when is it ever NOT windy stood on a beach. Will certainly take that on board on next years trip to Orkney 👍 although I won’t have to worry about any trees in the landscape moving 😉
Hey Henry, love the channel. Another trap is leaving the lense internal stabilisation on. I learnt this the hard way when trying to sort out soft images when using the tripod. Apparently it's in all the lens instructions but I follow the adage, if all else fails then read the instructions. Leaving the 'is' on when on the tripod can cause the lens to hunt ever so slightly as the lens really isn't expecting a truly stable platform and hence soft images. Turning is off cures the problem
Fast forward to mid 2022 with my Sony a7IV. It doesn't matter whether you leave the IBIS on or off! Actually, with my a7IV, I rarely need to use a tripod as the IBIS is so great. I do use a monopod, but that's more for stabilizing me (bad back), rather than the camera 😁.
Thank You Henry! Just recently found and subscribed to your TH-cam channel and have been enjoying your content and enthusiasm ever since. I'm just getting reacquainted with photography and I appreciate your work. Thanks Again!
A tip i got long ago and sticked to it is always avoid using timer if your camera has exposure delay function as timer waits to trigger the mirror and introduces minor shake, but delay waits after the mirror has been flipped.. Not for the mirrorless of course :)
Cheers Henry, some great advice thank you .enjoyed the three photos. I too carry some old cd’s to stop the tripod disappearing into the sand/mud!! Really enjoyed this video so thank you very much. Graham.
Good suggestion about using the self-timer, and if you're using a standard DSLR, using the mirror up shutter delay mode will provide significantly more effective vibration reduction than using the self-timer alone (which doesn't remove the vibration from the mirror slap). Also, using a tripod that doesn't have a center column will help as well. Center columns reduce stability. Tripods that have built-in leveling bases without center columns are great, plus you can lower them all the way to the ground without the column getting in the way.
@@wayneholmes637 true enough live view does stop mirror slap, but do use up your battery while making the composition faster of course you can use both on most modern DSLR camera's.
I deal with your last example by hanging my camera bag from the tripod. Both of my Manfrotto tripods have built-in receptacles at the top that accept any form of hook. I clipped on a hook I got from my local hardware store to my bag. Its the style mountain climbers use. Works great and still allows me to shoot at my preferred ISO and shutter speed.
i always feel like such a fraud commenting Henry because i am not a photographer and do not understand most of what you talk about,i just come to see the beautiful images you take,it really helps me in these horrible times,so thank you for sharing,last picture was sheer bliss.best wishes mate.
I also shoot in low levels as I heard and learned from someone else about the different angle of sights that we're not use to seeing it amazes us seeing!
just found your channel and am loving it. I shoot a D7500 and it's great to see someone shoot with something similar and get INCREDIBLE photos. Very inspiring!
Your lesson was interesting and the photos were very beautiful. Perhaps on your next video you could talk about how to gauge the weight of your camera and lens compared to using different size tripods, geared heads and ball heads.
If you're shooting ISO800 at 1/80s then you can shoot a 20 photo sequence, find the 10 sharpest ones, then image average them in photoshop. You'll have an image with an effective ISO80 in terms of noise and 1/8s level of cloud/water motion. But the static objects will be as sharp if not sharper then the original 1/80s photo
Interesting, I've never used any type of photo stacking but I plan to learn the art very soon. great idea for me as I use a sigma which have very poor ISO noise performance, there's a special mode for high quality shots that trajectory several shots in guck succession to overcome the poor ISO.
I'm definitely guilty of setting up the tripod before I'm ready to take the shot, then faff for ages tweaking it. I've recently taken to using my phone to visualise shots :)
Great vid. I always forget to tighten mine on the bit that let's the ball head mounts rotate on the tripod, spend ages lining something and it moves, or I go to focus on a second spot for a stack and it moves. Always feel a right spanner when it does
As a rule of thumb, anything I shoot with my 70-200 gets a 10sec timer. Zoom in X10 in liveview and hit the shutter button, you’d be surprised how long it actually takes for the camera to stabilise, even on a calm day! I’d even consider using IS in mode 2 (panning) at longer focal lengths on a windy day whilst using a tripod 😉 Techniques are just as important as settings imho and when it comes to tripod use, it’s a pretty long list... Superb work as usual ‘H’, if you ever want to venture down to Leicester (when we are allowed to gather again of course), hit me up, it would be great to show you around one particular stunning location that I frequent 🙌
Great video thank you. I already do all of the steps you mentioned to reduce shake and get a crisper picture. However the big lesson that I did take away from your video was spending time thinking about and planning the shot well before I deploy my Tripod. That's such a good tip. Thanks for another excellent video 👍.
Useful tips another for us oldies take a plastic bag with you when framing a photo low down, stops getting muddy/wet knees. Enjoyed this video as always
Rubber boots (Wellies for Henry and others in his neck of the woods) are one of my favorite photo accessories. Watching the video I was thinking that kneepads could be very useful, especially if age or some other reason makes your knees complain about squatting.
Knowing the amount of wind before you go out is useful. If it's not windy just about any lightweight tripod will do. I have the same tripod you have except aluminium. I take that when I need reasonable stability but even then it moves.
If you really don't want to bump up the ISO or aperture, can also try and shield the camera and tripod from the wind with your body a once you have got the scene composed etc. Granted, it doesn't work when the wind comes in from the same direction you're shooting and it doesn't eliminate it completly, but deffo helps!
OK now I will use my tripod with confidence (and no blur due to pressing the shutter button with no timer, using VR, or having too low an ISO… yep, I did it all wrong). No wonder my tripod shots were blurry! Thanks so much!
When travelling with a tripod I have always used two tricks that my dad taught me. This was the 60's and I was using a Lubitel 120 roll film camera. With only pocket money to spend every shot had to count, so, TIP 1 was to simply loop the top of my camera bag over the head of the tripod. The weight pulled the tripod directly down and it damped a huge amount of movement. TIP 2 was to carry a plastic bag with strong handles that attached to a hook on the lower end of the tripod column. Then I'd fill it with anything heavy that was to hand, like stones, bricks, water, sand, wet sand if I could get it. (Henry please take note) Huge pull down through the centre of gravity with a bag you could use repeatedly and a heavy weight you didn't have to carry to the location or home again.
I would add one more thing. Mass is your friend. Put your bag on the tripod hook (though if windy something a bit more compact would be better, like a water bottle). Mass lowers the frequency of vibrations. It makes your tripod not fall over and break your lens 😉. It makes the tripod compressed and stiffer.
Henry i so enjoy your channel , this year has been so different .if anyone can not get inspiration from you .my subject is motorsport photograph but i have been out in my local parklands trying to shot landscape .it needs work .thank you so much for all your hard work and efforts.
Exposure delay mode is better because it include the mirror up action. You can see the difference during nightscape shooting. Self timer still have shutter shock.
Was going to mention the lockup myself. I guess the reason for lower legs first around 12:15 is the muddy beach; if he didn't do this, all his clamps would have had sand and salty water inside them now :)
The issue with mirror lock without a remote release is that you have to actuate the shutter a second time, after ringing from the mirror flip has stopped. Less vibration, yes - but you're still putting your hand on the camera.
Subscribed at 3:03. The rock at 13:42 is quite nice and way more than I expected from it based on The Weather. I will start by NOT getting the tripod out first, that's what I ALWAYS have done.
A tip for beach photograph with a tripod is to use something under the legs to stop them slowly sinking in to the wet sand. Old cds work, or tops off jars or bottles that you can put under the legs.
Love the video. I'm paraplagic and so a wheelchair user, so using a tripod is a bit of a pain, but I've recently learned about the Manfrotto Magic Arm (or, rather, the Variable Friction variant) and use it clamped to my wheelchair. A great way of doing things. To get down low, I can either use the arm, or use a mini tripod. I bought a Nikon D7200 so that I can use my camera as a viewfinder, via wi-fi, when I need to. It's a great camera. I wouldn't be able to get across that sand thoogh, not in my current wheelchair! :-)
You rock. And they’re making mountain bike-suspension chairs now. Hope you get one!
You are an inspiration! Photography is for everyone and I see it just as another form of therapy for me. I'm not a pro, I don't have some online course or book, and I don't share misery of my photos. It's about getting out, taking photos and creating something.
@G F im also paraplegic and thank to have a magic arm to. Is it enoigh stable?
Two more suggestions: If your tripod has a hook on the underside of the center column, you can hang a weight (like your backpack) from it to increase stability. And second, I think it would be wiser to use the thickest leg sections first, when you're not using the legs fully extended. Maybe not much of advice, but still, every bit of added stability helps right? This is not a criticism of this video, just wanted to be helpfull. Really liked the video, and absolutely love the pictures you took! Thanks!
The thing I found most interesting in this video is that you went out on a dull, grey day and captured some really interesting photos. Inspired me to get out with my camera more.
It makes you a better photographer when you go against all odds, and you can always find something to shoot :)
@@PedroKin when its cloudy the world is just a big soft box
As usual your enthusiasm and perseverance made yet another enjoyable video to watch. I noticed your Tripod was sinking in the mud? Just a tip but I carry 3 old CD's (something dreadful that you don't mind trashing like the Spice Girls Greatest Hits etc etc) and I put a CD under each leg and it stops it sinking in the mud. Costs and weights nothing and takes up no room in your bag. Keep up the great videos Henry - I look forward to them popping up in my Must Watch list
Genius thank you 🙏🏼
That’s a great idea, definitely stealing that! 👍🏻
To your third point, not sure if your tripod has a hook on it or not (whether on the center column at the bottom or somewhere at the tripod’s top) but adding some weight to the tripod can help to stabilize it. There are also products out there that attach to the legs giving you a ”shelf”, if you will, to add weight. Great job on the video!
I needed to see this video. Your point about not always shooting at head height is well taken.
Really helpful tips - I tend to set up my tripod first, and spend sooooo much time fiddling with it. I'll try working more on my shot composition and setting up the tripod at the end. Thanks so much for the tip!
Great photos on a very nondescript day! You said in a previous video "If you're not in, you can't win" and that's so true. Get out there and take photos, embrace the weather! I also love the fact you use tools most of us can afford, including the beast! You don't have the latest and greatest £10k camera but you know how to get the best out of the 7200.
Very valuable video for me. I have just upgraded (2 days ago) from an entry level D3200, to a D750 which came with, amongst other things (2 good lenses), a Manfredo tripod. All I have had previously was a very basic tripod bought in the 1970’s. So looking forward to discovering what a real tripod can do for me.
My own tripod-related suggestions: (1) get a tripod with either a removable center column, or none at all. Getting the camera only inches above the ground literally opens up new vistas and compositions, including macros. (2) Mount the camera via an L-bracket, especially one that's dedicated for your specific camera body. Coincidentally, I just discussed that very accessory in my own most recent video. It will let you center the camera over the tripod's center of gravity in portrait orientation as well as landscape. A dedicated L-bracket (rather than a generic model) will allow access to all ports and doors, and will even permit full use of your LCD if you have a flippy screen like a Canon or a Sony A7SIII.
Ive had a camera in front of my face for 45 years. The "L" bracket holds a place in MY top5 best camera accessories ever! Guess Arca - Swiss goes hand in hand.
@@havocproltd true that! I've swapped all my tripod heads from Manfrotto lever quick release to Arca. They're the industry standard now.
Excellent tutorial. I have learnt something which pleases me because if a day goes by without learning something it is a day wasted.. Regards Michael
Thanks for the tips ! 1) An L bracket is key to get the center of gravity of the camera center tripod in portrait mode and you have the same freedom of adjusting. 2) I normally only extend the thick legs half way when I'm not fully extending the tripod, this makes is steadier. 3) For soft soil you can place old CD's under the legs to prevent the legs from sinking in the soil while trying to do a long exposure. Of course longer focus lengts give more (risk of) shake, try multiple shots where you vary the shutter speed - ISO - aperture
Hi Henry
Good to see you encouraging people to go out in "bad" weather for their photography.
A little extra tip for tripod use: when the wind is blowing and the tripod is shaking, hang a weight from under the tripod.
This can be a plastic bag that you brought along with you (empty) and you can fill with water, sand or rocks, the heavier the better. Or even hang your camera bag on the tripod.
This will make it far more rigid and calm down the 'shakes'.
Sometimes I will actually hang the extra weight onto the camera itself and thereby eliminate/diminish the vibration that exists in the linkage between the camera and tripod.
When you're finished the whole lot can simply be emptied out and put in your pocket.
You don't have to carry that weight around with you.
I noticed the shutter speed thing the first time I put my new 100-400GM on a tripod at sunset, iso 100 was just not possible. Another tip to help with tripod rigidity is make the narrow bottom section of each leg the last one to be extended. So when you're low and only need one section extended, use the upper thickest portion of each leg.
Henry, Just retired and dusted off my old D7000. Going through your videos and learning a bunch of tricks.. Thank You!
Those sea cliffs for anybody interested: Heysham Barrows. They are eroding fast and can change week to week. There are some interesting fossils revealed- then gone again in the next rock fall-as well as some stone cut graves and the amazing ruins of St Patrick's Chapel. And not far from a shipwreck too. What a great place for photos!
Pitching in with a tip of my own: many tripods have a hook on the bottom of the centre column, hang your camera bag from it to increase stability on those windy days! Just ensure the bag isn't swinging before hitting the shutter 👍😁
If you know who I'm speaking about, you'll know this is a huge compliment;
I'm getting real Adam Karnacz vibes from your speech, mannerisms, the format and quality of your video.
First time seeing you on youtube and, although i'm familiar with all the tips you've shown here, i'm happy to subscribe knowing that i'll find value in your videos along the line!
Love that boulder image, really nice! Keen to see some more of your work, mate ✌
I always remember a bit of advice I was given from a more knowledgeable person that I - which was always try to shoot using the lowest ISO possible - and only ever increase the ISO if you cannot get the right shutter speed for the shot you're taking.
And now this advice is mine
Blocking some of the wind with your body might also help next to increasing the shutter speed.
Your calendar arrived at my home, in Melbourne, today, thank you. My wife uses a calendar for very important events like "put the bins out",
so she's pleased. We're both from the UK so we'll enjoy looking at your images, particularly the snow scene in December when we're likely to be sweltering in the summer heat! Thanks for your work, Henry, your enthusiasm is in infectious.
Wonderful! Thanks for the support Tony
Very good advice.. I recently purchased a tripod for an upcoming trip.. Never knew about these tricks. Thank you, Henry
Nice images for such a blustery day Henry. I actually use exposure delay mode rather than the self timer on my D7200 and 750. It serves the same purpose but flips the mirror up prior to starting the timer. Keep up the good work. Have been enjoying your videos.
This ^. Good advice, and right on point. Having the mirror totally still before the shutter fires makes a huge difference to clarity.
Thank you for your video and lessons. As a student, I appreciate every bit of practical information on how to become a better photographer and being able to adapt to the circumstances of the moment without loosing focus on what I want to achieve. Your attitude is very Positive and Inspiring. With gratitude for your Time and the Work you do.🙏 THANK YOU!
4:34 I don't use camera strap anymore because it's annoying. Also don't forget to turn off the vibration reduction on your lens if you using tripod. And I totally agree to find the composition first then start to extend your tripod when you really sure. Low angle is my go to when using tripod but it looks funky especially when you need to lay down very low and don't have that flip up screen haha but okay what's important more is the result. And yea, expose well for the photos. Crank up that ISO, no regret.
On a grey day, I would try converting some shots to b&w to see how they look. You did better than I thought you would for shooting on an overcast day.
Buying and using a tripod has resulted in the single biggest improvement I have had in my photography. It slowed me down and made me think more about my settings/techniques and compositions.
A lot of tripods you can get even lower if you need to by flipping that middle pole around vertically and having the camera hanging upside down between the 3 legs.
I take many photos of plants/fungi at ground level and agree with you. The upside-down camera is a pain (unless you can stand on your head). Another problem is that the central column stops the tripod from going as low as it might, without a lot of fiddling.
So, I made my own very short central column for my Giotto tripod. This allows me to extend the tripod as low as the legs allow.
In addition, I bought myself a strip of 1/4 inch aluminium and fashioned it to hang the camera upright under the tripod when the standard column is used. This arrangement allows me to operate the camera at ground level. It works well enough.
I love the flat light of an overcast day. I'll spend more time thinking about tripod placement thanks to this video.
Best Photo Advice ever: "Thats the hand I ahve been dealt today, and I am going to make the best of it."
Thats the difference between a "TH-cam" photog and a real one.
@@johnsmith1474 nah! you're looking at it wrong! Look where the poor lad lives!!! If it were the old days of film I'd say shoot it all in B&W!!! God Save the Queen!
I used to take pictures of people differently than "things." Now, I think about "who am I capturing" and "what emotions am I evoking in the viewer" as I'm walking around an area looking for the right composition. Even though it's merely a rock, asking myself those 2 questions makes me choose how I'm going to capture and portray my subject with the composition that I choose. Just like when photographing people, I try to get at "eye level" with the subject I'm photographing, even if it is a rock. I am certainly not a professional photographer, but my pictures have certainly improved because of this technique. I don't know if other people use it, but it works for me.
I agree with Mark Hives about hanging a backpack or even a bag filled with pebbles or sand obtained on site. I have also on occasions applied a downward pressure on my tripod when doing lunar shots with a 300mm lens. I am usually holding my breath while I do so.
Don't forget that most tripods have a hook on the bottom of the center column. This is for hanging your backpack on to help weigh the tripod down even more in those windy conditions.
Great video, first one of yours i have seen, you got a new sub :)
You're so right about your self-timer (without a cable release). The slightest touch of your camera on a tripod causes movement. THat's why so many film cameras had mirror lock-up as well. Even the mirror slap caused blurring movement. Regardless of how heavy your tripod is.
That's why I LOVE the Fuji X-E system - it takes regular old cable releases! I use one from my 1903 Kodak Autographic Special 116 camera on the Fuji.
Also, get rid of the center column. The moment you raise the column, you lose stability.
Some very useful tips here Henry. There are some other things which are useful which I think are worth a mention. For those folk using a DSLR (as opposed to mirrorless) it's worth locking the mirror up before taking a shot as it separates out the movement of the mirror which creates the loud 'clunk', and with it vibration, from the movement of the shutter. This further reduces vibration in the camera. It's also important to avoid using the centre column if you can, as this is much more prone to vibration, especially if it is extended to any degree. (I bought a set of legs which does not have a centre column). Finally, as the tripod gets higher, it's going to be more prone to vibration. In part this is because the bottom section of the legs is likely to be significantly thinner than the top section and also because there is greater leverage on the tripod, especially if it is windy, when it is at full height. Hope these comments are helpful.
Long, but IMO worth the read.
Thanks. Good info and I love the second photo! I finally got one of my friends to consistently use her tripod and now she gives me the stink eye whenever she sees me with my camera off mine. I told her I need to find the composition first. Still get the stink eye. :-D
Do you have the problem with the tripod sinking into the wet sand? I had to buy the foot cups b/c mine would sink fast enough that I could see it happening. My long (even long-ish) exposures weren't coming out.
I have the 2 section CF version of that tripod and I have to say I regret purchasing it. Just as heavy as my old aluminum Vanguard plus I had/chose to find replacement feet with retractable spikes that would fit it. None are made for it so parts are for a different brand. +$40.
Popping the column back down from it's horizontal position is a PITA. It has to be lined up perfectly or it won't go in. Whoever designed this didn't eat their Wheaties that morning.
The thing that actually makes me *Really regret the purchase, so much so that I've considered throwing the tripod away more than once is the retaining ring on the bottom of the red part is so loose and floppy that it has fallen off so many times in the field. This causes the whole assembly to fall apart and tiny little parts to go flying away. A hands and knees search ensues. Putting it back together requires painfully pinching my fingertips and a lot of time. Last week when this happened I was so disheartened by the time I got it fixed that I just put everything away. I hate this tripod. I should just take out the center column, run a 3/8 eye bolt up through a washer and into the tripod head. Wouldn't be the first time I've done that.
So an additional nugget of advise would be to get a tripod that isn't a POS and isn't going to make you not want to take photos.
Also, put some gaffers tape around a leg of your tripod. You never know when you'll need it to lock down focus or tape up a broken finger. Both of which I've done. Velcro too so you don't have your remote shutter release dangling from the port on your camera.
I like to use mirror lockup, too, Henry!
I was so happy when I noticed you took the camera off and into your back pack. Many so called pros seem to just leave it on the tripod, very careless in my opinion. By the way just subscribed, like your relaxed approach.
Pulling the camera out of bag and putting it back in adds more overhead. It's safer for the camera, but I think a lot of people are happy to trade off a little more risk for having the camera more easily available. On most of that beach there's very little added risk to just leaving the camera on the tripod. That said I see a lot of people holding their cameras very casually.
add a sand bag or camera bag to the hook on the bottom of your tripod center shaft to add stability and lo lower the center of gravity in strong wind conditions. Just make sure the weight is sitting on the ground and not suspended, swinging in the breeze.
Thank you Henry. Switching VR on/off when using a tripod seems to make little difference. What you didn't mention is what your tripod is standing on. Wet sand is not the most stable base!
Some nice images Henry. Had a similar issue with my Nifty Fifty, got the F00 on my camera display and thankfully it was not the camera and an issue with the lens, so fingers crossed it is the same for you and you're sorted with the replacement lens
Could be an older model lens (fully manual focus and exposure) that is not fully compatible with the camera (auto focus and auto exposure).
Some good advice for the beginners. Re the 2sec timer: If the camera doesn't have that function, the best option is to use a cable release. I use a Canon 5DSR with al the bells but I will often use a cable release, especially when using my 70-200mm + x2 Extender (400mm), shoot in live view and when the wind lulls I can take the shot. Also I use a "ROCK Bag sling" suspended from my tripod with rocks in it to help make the tripod more stable in windy conditions. Nice couple of images Henry, Cheers (PS: enjoy the next UK lockdown :(...)
Hahahaha, holy shit. I just realised I can do that with my camera bag .... WOW. UNBELIEVABLE.
Many people will leave their camera strap on their camera in windy conditions, this results in even more shake...
I realized I was doing this last night while doing astrophotography!
LOL
Some people say cucumbers taste better pickled? - Dave Chappelle
Jk! Anything to get rid of shake is great, even when it's not yours?!
There's nothing worse than a case of sea sickness, a headache, and/or ping-pong eyes from a shaky/shitty vid!
Can I get a AMEN?!?!
My camera strap is hard to get off unless I release the entire strap from itself. I haven't noticed any issue if you use a sandbag instead of your backpack. You can get better weight
My advice if you are only walking a short distance and not hiking is a heavier fluid head tripod. No shakes there. It's just that a lot of tripods are quite flimsy.
Most straps other then peak design are a pain to get off, just tie it off around one of the tripod legs if you have a flimsy tripod
First of all, Thank you for making a really good tutorial about how to use tripods, and second of all your photos look really amazing. i like the way you compose your pictures.
The suggestion that you make are very simple, but the simple things tend to be the very things we over look. It also seems that we look to overwork a solution. Thanks for highlighting about keeping it simple and pointing out the little things we may miss.
Nice job, Henry. I haven’t read all of the comments yet so this may be redundant but I always tell people to NOT extend the center column up; you then have a monopod with three legs. Keep up the good work!
Good advise Henry. Nothing new for me. Been doing this for 30 years. But you did capture some respectable images. Good lesson for the up and comers.
Thanks Simon 👍
i often leave the camera mounted to the tripod while walking about. i grip the strap between my hand and a leg on the pod so in case the quick disconnect comes lose i still have control of the camera
Me too. Same.
Same here, i rarely put the camera back in the backpack once it’s out. Its a hassle to get back out and you will miss shots of opportunity.
Your second advice is spot on. For the last few weeks I have been spending more time looking for a composition from different angles instead of just plonking the camera onto the tripod and taking a shot!!
A lot of tripods have a hook underneath the camera head and you can put the camera bag there if you have the tripod high enough to stop it from shaking. If you don't have a hook you can use one of the handles (feel free to choose the most appropriate depending on your bag) over the tripod head (before attaching the camera) and let it hang so it helps with the weight and reduce the shake considerably.
@17:30 about shooting in wind on a tripod. A bad recommendation I always hear, and even some camera manuals tell you, is to turn off image stabilization when using a tripod. That's fine if there is no wind at all but if there is even just a moderate breeze and you are using a long lens there will almost always be considerable shake. Turning on the stabilization all but eliminates any loss of sharpness, and can even work wonders in high winds. There is a limitation to the exposure time at which it will work as there is always some slow drift of the stabilisation that could be counterproductive for long exposures. On my camera I have tried it up to about 4 seconds exposure and it worked fine, it may work for longer ones but I haven't tried.
I have a reasonably good tripod, a Manfrotto MT294 with geared head and often find I get significantly sharper shots with the stabilization turned on when using long focal lengths.
This is brilliant and 'less talked-about' advice, Dave. Thanks so much for sharing this mate
Yep I leave VR on when it's windy. It helps
Another good idea, when you're shooting long anyway and your height is less important, is to reduce your tripod height. That visibly reduces shake. Also, shielding the tripod from wind with your body can make a huge difference. Also, adding weight to the tripod can be a quick fix.
Excellent tip - thank you!
Henry! Monstrously good video! Artful, articulate, helpful, informative, fascinating bleakness! Delighted new subscriber here. Cheers from the States, brother! 💛🙏🏼
With a real long lens on a calm day the mirror will cause enough shake to blur on my lightweight tripod. Mirror up mode with the remote in that case. Anyway with that camera you can bump the iso even higher with no trouble. VR is incredible too. Elbow to the gut for stability and hand hold that bad boy! I always am amazed when I push it a little, it’s good to know what your skills and equipment can do when you need it. Having learned on manual and film its just amazing what you can do now. So much of the conventional wisdom can be broken.
Just yesterday, I was on a hill in the night to shoot a panorama of the city and it was very windy. What helped me to still get some good shots (also Telephoto, to make it worse) was:
Find some very rigid object to place the tripod on: There were big rocks, perfect. And try to keep the legs as short as possible and spread out as possible to not allow the wind to use it as a "lever" to shake the camera. And in contrary what you'd usually do, I switched shake reduction ON to get rid of the very small vibration that was still coming through. I used an Olympus OM-D which already has a fantastic shake reduction. Although it's not the typical landscape camera, the shake reduction compensates a lot. Often times you can shoot exposures of almost 2-3 seconds right out of the hand without motion blur.
And if the tripod has a hook on the column, a good heavy bag hanging off it helps, too.
Takes out all the slop in the tripod legs & whatever the feet are bedded into.
7:00 "Mirror Lock-Up" is another extra setting you can use to ensure that your DSLR is not moving when taking the shot. Combined with the 2 second timer that gives you the most stable camera you can get.
Yes! Mirror lock up (MUP mode on the Nikon) + VR switch on lens off + wireless remote shutter release = perfect! Also, the remote control setting needs to be turned on. (Note: It will default to OFF after 15 minutes without shooting.)
As for wind induced shake. The conditions are rarely constant, and may vary by a lot even over the course of a few minutes. So, in this situation, I would probably capture around ten to twenty longer exposures at ISO 100 hoping for a lucky result + a few faster ones as fall back. This technique is based on what’s called ‘lucky imaging’ in planetary photography (which is one of my hobbies).
Really glad I came across your video Henry. Your advice makes so much sense, I will now adjust my ways after doing things wrong for the last 25 years lol. Feel so silly now using a tripod but pushing the button. Timer in future. Thank you and hope your camera survived ok.
Hope the camera is ok. I think I have learned most of yhose tips. My pronlem is I forget to switch off IBIS on camera. I particularly liked the second image of the rock and sand. Thanks Henry. Keep safe.
Great advice. I use the mirror up setting in conjunction with a remote trigger on my Nikon. I wait a few seconds between mirror up and exposure. No camera shake, no mirror slap. Obviously not an option with mirrorless cameras!
Always use the thickest leg section possible. This makes the setup less flimsy and you get lower center of gravity. I may also help to hang something heavy below your camera (beware of wind). If you are using an old DSLR make sure to lock up the mirror. Use electronic shutter if possible to reduce the risk of shutter shock. Don't move while the exposure is going on,
1. Timer works in a pinch, but a wired remote in mirror-up mode is better, giving you control over the timing in addition to removing mirror slap. "Wired" because it ALWAYS works!
2. Completely agree!
3. To his point on a "low vantage point" and stability, NO center column!
4. Shutter speed: I'm guilty of that too often.
All excellent points. Another way to combat camera shake is to avoid raising the center post. It's like raising the camera on a flagpole, increasing the leveraging effect of the wind or vibrations on the camera. As a general rule, don't raise the center post if you don't have the tripod legs in their fully extended positions. Notice in the video that Henry fully extended the legs to position the camera at the desired height. In the setup with the large rock it looks like he had the center post raised an inch or two, which wouldn't impact the camera's stability very much due to the low, squat, positioning of the tripod legs.
Tip for reducing wind shake: take that heavy bag off your back and hang it underneath the tripod. This will greatly increase the stability of the tripod, reducing wind shake. Thanks for your second tip: I’m very guilty of making that mistake
How about he using his body to block the wind ( except a front wind) ?
I disagree. Hanging your camera bag underneath your tripod, especially in windy conditions, will add movement and vibration as it swings around like a pendulum. I would suggest getting lower by spreading out the legs and use spike feet if possible.
@@chairer375 Exactly. Back in May I was shooting a sunrise at Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas, USA) and although it wasn't cold there was a howling upslope wind right onto the only spot from which I could take the shot. Not a great spot, but no other options. I had to do everything I could to keep the shot steady, including shielding the tripod with my body and waiting for those rare lulls in the wind. Shot came out sharp enough, all things considered, if a bit sub-optimal from a compositional standpoint. Great video.
@@emgee44 geting lower makes a lot of sense. I'm just thinking🤔, how about a wind breaker as used on beaches, A few rods and a canvis material in fact if its a dark colour could also be used to reduce sun flare if the sun was shining on the lens from the side🤔
Love the video Harry .. one more tip I was told from a really good photographer a while ago is turn off IS on your lens when using a tripod as it will help with getting a sharper photo .. i know that sounds wrong but it does work
I always used to do this but with some of the newer lenses they recognise the lens is on a tripod (supposedly anyway). I might have to test it out.
Henry, ref your Tip No.3...I picked up tip from Mads Peter Iverson s while ago that in windy conditions turn the lens image stabilisation on (assuming you are using an IS lens). You probably will not need to alter ISO and aperture. I used this on some windy days in the Lake District and it worked fine. Just have to remember to turn the IS off when you have finished. Also keep your centre column down on windy days. Personally I hate tripods with centre columns but if you use one don't have the column sticking up or the wind blows it even more.
Great tips Henry, especially upping the ISO to get the faster shutter speed in windy conditions, when is it ever NOT windy stood on a beach. Will certainly take that on board on next years trip to Orkney 👍 although I won’t have to worry about any trees in the landscape moving 😉
Hey Henry, love the channel. Another trap is leaving the lense internal stabilisation on. I learnt this the hard way when trying to sort out soft images when using the tripod. Apparently it's in all the lens instructions but I follow the adage, if all else fails then read the instructions. Leaving the 'is' on when on the tripod can cause the lens to hunt ever so slightly as the lens really isn't expecting a truly stable platform and hence soft images. Turning is off cures the problem
Fast forward to mid 2022 with my Sony a7IV. It doesn't matter whether you leave the IBIS on or off! Actually, with my a7IV, I rarely need to use a tripod as the IBIS is so great. I do use a monopod, but that's more for stabilizing me (bad back), rather than the camera 😁.
Thank You Henry! Just recently found and subscribed to your TH-cam channel and have been enjoying your content and enthusiasm ever since. I'm just getting reacquainted with photography and I appreciate your work. Thanks Again!
A tip i got long ago and sticked to it is always avoid using timer if your camera has exposure delay function as timer waits to trigger the mirror and introduces minor shake, but delay waits after the mirror has been flipped.. Not for the mirrorless of course :)
Cheers Henry, some great advice thank you .enjoyed the three photos. I too carry some old cd’s to stop the tripod disappearing into the sand/mud!! Really enjoyed this video so thank you very much. Graham.
Good suggestion about using the self-timer, and if you're using a standard DSLR, using the mirror up shutter delay mode will provide significantly more effective vibration reduction than using the self-timer alone (which doesn't remove the vibration from the mirror slap). Also, using a tripod that doesn't have a center column will help as well. Center columns reduce stability. Tripods that have built-in leveling bases without center columns are great, plus you can lower them all the way to the ground without the column getting in the way.
Mirror slap is not a problem with DSLR cameras when using live view as he does in this video.
@@wayneholmes637 true enough live view does stop mirror slap, but do use up your battery while making the composition faster of course you can use both on most modern DSLR camera's.
@@wayneholmes637on the d7200 im pretty sure the mirror slaps up then down. At least based on the sound
I deal with your last example by hanging my camera bag from the tripod. Both of my Manfrotto tripods have built-in receptacles at the top that accept any form of hook. I clipped on a hook I got from my local hardware store to my bag. Its the style mountain climbers use. Works great and still allows me to shoot at my preferred ISO and shutter speed.
i always feel like such a fraud commenting Henry because i am not a photographer and do not understand most of what you talk about,i just come to see the beautiful images you take,it really helps me in these horrible times,so thank you for sharing,last picture was sheer bliss.best wishes mate.
Thanks a lot Steven. Definitely not a fraud mate and I appreciate your continued support
I also shoot in low levels as I heard and learned from someone else about the different angle of sights that we're not use to seeing it amazes us seeing!
just found your channel and am loving it. I shoot a D7500 and it's great to see someone shoot with something similar and get INCREDIBLE photos. Very inspiring!
Your lesson was interesting and the photos were very beautiful. Perhaps on your next video you could talk about how to gauge the weight of your camera and lens compared to using different size tripods, geared heads and ball heads.
If you're shooting ISO800 at 1/80s then you can shoot a 20 photo sequence, find the 10 sharpest ones, then image average them in photoshop. You'll have an image with an effective ISO80 in terms of noise and 1/8s level of cloud/water motion. But the static objects will be as sharp if not sharper then the original 1/80s photo
Interesting, I've never used any type of photo stacking but I plan to learn the art very soon. great idea for me as I use a sigma which have very poor ISO noise performance, there's a special mode for high quality shots that trajectory several shots in guck succession to overcome the poor ISO.
Youve got the best background music for your in-between shots. Its a really nice touch.
Thanks, Henry! Your tips and the follow-up tips in the Comments-all really good.
Great video, you made me realize I had gotten lazy and fallen into a couple tripod pitfalls.
Only you could go out to that location with those conditions and say they're pretty decent!
I'm definitely guilty of setting up the tripod before I'm ready to take the shot, then faff for ages tweaking it. I've recently taken to using my phone to visualise shots :)
Great vid. I always forget to tighten mine on the bit that let's the ball head mounts rotate on the tripod, spend ages lining something and it moves, or I go to focus on a second spot for a stack and it moves. Always feel a right spanner when it does
As a rule of thumb, anything I shoot with my 70-200 gets a 10sec timer. Zoom in X10 in liveview and hit the shutter button, you’d be surprised how long it actually takes for the camera to stabilise, even on a calm day!
I’d even consider using IS in mode 2 (panning) at longer focal lengths on a windy day whilst using a tripod 😉
Techniques are just as important as settings imho and when it comes to tripod use, it’s a pretty long list...
Superb work as usual ‘H’, if you ever want to venture down to Leicester (when we are allowed to gather again of course), hit me up, it would be great to show you around one particular stunning location that I frequent 🙌
Thanks a lot Andy, and yes technique is so important
Great video thank you. I already do all of the steps you mentioned to reduce shake and get a crisper picture. However the big lesson that I did take away from your video was spending time thinking about and planning the shot well before I deploy my Tripod. That's such a good tip. Thanks for another excellent video 👍.
Useful tips another for us oldies take a plastic bag with you when framing a photo low down, stops getting muddy/wet knees. Enjoyed this video as always
Rubber boots (Wellies for Henry and others in his neck of the woods) are one of my favorite photo accessories. Watching the video I was thinking that kneepads could be very useful, especially if age or some other reason makes your knees complain about squatting.
The best tips for using tripods....Fantastic.
Knowing the amount of wind before you go out is useful. If it's not windy just about any lightweight tripod will do. I have the same tripod you have except aluminium. I take that when I need reasonable stability but even then it moves.
Wonderful shot of the rock and small channels in the sand. Really enjoy your channel. Thanks.
Love the second image! I hope your camera is ok and working again when you get your new lens!
If you really don't want to bump up the ISO or aperture, can also try and shield the camera and tripod from the wind with your body a once you have got the scene composed etc.
Granted, it doesn't work when the wind comes in from the same direction you're shooting and it doesn't eliminate it completly, but deffo helps!
Great point actually! And if it's gusty as well you can try waiting for a lull in the wind to quickly grab the shot! Cheers for watching :)
OK now I will use my tripod with confidence (and no blur due to pressing the shutter button with no timer, using VR, or having too low an ISO… yep, I did it all wrong). No wonder my tripod shots were blurry! Thanks so much!
When travelling with a tripod I have always used two tricks that my dad taught me. This was the 60's and I was using a Lubitel 120 roll film camera. With only pocket money to spend every shot had to count, so, TIP 1 was to simply loop the top of my camera bag over the head of the tripod. The weight pulled the tripod directly down and it damped a huge amount of movement. TIP 2 was to carry a plastic bag with strong handles that attached to a hook on the lower end of the tripod column. Then I'd fill it with anything heavy that was to hand, like stones, bricks, water, sand, wet sand if I could get it. (Henry please take note) Huge pull down through the centre of gravity with a bag you could use repeatedly and a heavy weight you didn't have to carry to the location or home again.
I would add one more thing. Mass is your friend. Put your bag on the tripod hook (though if windy something a bit more compact would be better, like a water bottle).
Mass lowers the frequency of vibrations. It makes your tripod not fall over and break your lens 😉. It makes the tripod compressed and stiffer.
Henry i so enjoy your channel , this year has been so different .if anyone can not get inspiration from you .my subject is motorsport photograph but i have been out in my local parklands trying to shot landscape .it needs work .thank you so much for all your hard work and efforts.
Exposure delay mode is better because it include the mirror up action. You can see the difference during nightscape shooting. Self timer still have shutter shock.
Use mirror lock function
When extend the tripod legs, extend the top sections first. The tubes are larger and more stable.
Nice pics btw
Was going to mention the lockup myself. I guess the reason for lower legs first around 12:15 is the muddy beach; if he didn't do this, all his clamps would have had sand and salty water inside them now :)
The issue with mirror lock without a remote release is that you have to actuate the shutter a second time, after ringing from the mirror flip has stopped. Less vibration, yes - but you're still putting your hand on the camera.
@@bobkoure not if you use the self timer, at least on canon, this locks the mirror up when you press the shutter, then starts the timer.
Subscribed at 3:03. The rock at 13:42 is quite nice and way more than I expected from it based on The Weather. I will start by NOT getting the tripod out first, that's what I ALWAYS have done.
Class content. Tripods in unusual positions and the fact I take too many pictures is what I’ll take from it. Thanks mate 👊🏻
A tip for beach photograph with a tripod is to use something under the legs to stop them slowly sinking in to the wet sand. Old cds work, or tops off jars or bottles that you can put under the legs.