About Photography with and without tripod

[stzd8]

I am still new on the field but I know the importance of shooting with a tripod since I hear it everyday. But what about those photographers that go on the field?

You don't see them carrying a tripod or monopod to take pics on the field. SO... technically tripod is not a must 100% when taking pics?

I am just seeking your opinions on this observation, like the Nat. Geo people taking pics on the field and manage to get decent pics without support on it.

How they do it?

[Doug Pardee]

Tripods are useful for some types of photography, and not for others. Do whatever works for you and your type of photography.

Me, I do mainly travel/vacation photography. Carrying a tripod is onerous to the fifth degree. I use an image-stabilized lens instead. (I do own a tripod, which I use as necessary for other work, which isn't very often.)

[PhotosGuy]

I use an image-stabilized lens instead. Usually, faster glass & experience works for me. Sometimes I'll brace on a fence, doorway, etc. when I didn't expect to use one.
High ISOs are pretty good with the "higher-end" cams, too:
ISO 200-6400 20D Tests (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=269964)

Some Volley Ball Tournament Tests **56K Warning!** (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=394723)

But if I know that I'll need a tripod, it's always in the trunk. ;)

[bobbyz]

Glass with IS also helps. Also depends how heavy the glass is. I take tripod when shooting with my 500mm f4 IS. For something like 300mm f2.8 IS, you won't need it.

[smurffman]

The sharpest photos happen when you use a tripod. The world is not perfect and sometimes its not practical but when you can it gives you that edge.

[bieber]

Glass with IS also helps. Also depends how heavy the glass is. I take tripod when shooting with my 500mm f4 IS. For something like 300mm f2.8 IS, you won't need it.

Ehh, I can handheld alright with the 300 2.8, but I gotta say, it's a lot more fun with a monopod. I'll snatch it up in my hands and swing the monopod off to the side if I need a really fast height change, but otherwise I try to leave it on, no need to unnecessarily strain my arms.

To the OP, this might be helpful: http://alittlenews.wordpress.com/2007/11/17/the-human-monopod/

[John_B]

stzd8,
Do you mean on the field as in landscape photos? ??? or sports photos? ??? or other? ???
If landscape photos there are times a tripod is almost required ex. waterfall photos where you want the water smooth. ex. fields or woods in sunrise/sunset light photos would be to dark and a tripod would help or be needed. Another common is using a very small aperture (to get as much in focus) which can give low shutter speeds and even with an ultra wide angle lens a tripod might result in sharper photos.
I would not say its 100% needed for excellent photos, but there are times where it could save/help the shot.

[JWright]

Landscape and wildlife photographers use tripods almost as much as they do lenses. A fair amount of landscape photography is done in low light conditions so a tripod is necessary to provide the steadiness required for longer shutter speeds. Out of necessity, wildlife photographers characteristically use longer, faster lenses. These lenses are bulky and heavy, so a tripod is necessary to support them.

I suppose these photographers don't like packing a heavy tripod out into the boonies any more than the rest of use, but if that's what's required to get the shot, well, they do it.

One of the things that has come out of this is the development of tripods made of modern, lightweight materials such as carbon fiber.

[Padreous]

A good monopod (manfrotto 560B) with a (manfrotto) 322rc2 head is youre friend. Quick, discrete, solid and easy to pan around if needed.
A good tripod (Manfrotto 055 3 stage legs) with the above head also works a treat

carbon fibre is great, but costs abotu 3x as much...

[GilesGuthrie]

You need to use a tripod when you need to shoot long exposures, and IS won't be of sufficient help. And you need to handhold when the tripod will interrupt the creative process.

At all other times, do what gives you the best balance of opportunism, comfort and quality.