Landscape Photography Questions...handheld vs. tripod [Archive]

argyle

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 11:32

1.) I use a tripod whenever I can...probably 99% of the time. If you're serious about landscape photography, beyond shooting the basic "I was there" vacation type of picture, the tripod will become your best friend. A tripod will almost always ensure a level shot (if you take the time to set the level) and won't require any leveling or cropping in post.

2.) It depends. If doing sunrise or sunset shots, I'll spend time shooting until the light is no longer optimum. For others, I'll bracket as need be or until I feel that I've gotten what I need. Its all variable...

dustyporch

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 11:34

Almost always tripod... its the best way to get super-sharp photos, especially when most of my landscape shots are taken in the early morning light.

I would say I take 8-10 of a particular scene at a time. (This is highly scene dependent, but usually I would take one at optimal settings, then I would vary the aperture up and down to try different DOF, and I usually do a -2/+2 bracketed set at the end).

I would not necessarily move on, instead I might wait for the scene to change on its own as the light came up... Or move on...

RPCrowe

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 12:06

Since I developed a tripod light enough and sturdy enough for most of my landscape shooting; I have been using tripod support for over 90% of my landscape images.

If you are shooting with a tripod, which I sincerely recommend for landscapes, I also recommend that when you bracket your exposures, you do so in the aperture priority mode.

If you are in another mode, the aperture may change to facilitate the exposure bracketing. This change of f/stop may change the depth of field between shots and make HDR merging less effective.

Tripods are funny gagets. They should be simple and cheap but, they are neither simple nor, are good ones, cheap. You are also always making choices between light weight and stability and cost. A tripod which you decide is to heavy to carry will not help your imagery, no matter how expensive or stable that tripod is. A tripod which is too flimsy is worse than no tripod at all.

Normally, you need to make your choice of two out of the following three tripod parameters: Stability; light weight and low price.

I have opted to use two tripods, each one has its specific uses:

First is a full featured Giottos MT-8180 which I use with either a Giottos MH-1300 Arca Compatible Head or a Manfrotto 3421 Gimbal Mount (depending on my lens choice and type of shooting). The MT-8180 is a tall and very sturdy tripod which can articulate and place my camera/lens in just about any position I desire. This tripod can handle just about any load but, weighs over seven pounds with the MH-1300 head, despite its carbon fiber construction. This is a bit heavy for me to carry everywhere, especially when I an boonie tromping to get into position for landscape shots. I am getting a bit old now and each ounce that I carry at the beginning of the day seems like a pound at the end of a day's shooting.

I modified a SLIK Pro 330DX tripod by switching to the opional shorter center column and replacing the SLIK head with an Adorama Flashpoint F1 magnesium head which is also Arca Convertible. The modified tripod with F1 head now weighs 2 pounds and 11 ounces. This is a weight light enough for me to trek just about anywhere. It supports my 30d and 40D cameras with either the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses which are the heaviest package I choose to use for landscape work.

I recently completed a ten day trip to the National Parks and Monuments of Southern Utah and I shot 95% of my images using a tripod. Most of my shots were using the SLIK but, one day during what seemed to be almost gale force winds when a weather front was crossing Bryce Canyon; I opted for the Giottos due to its extra stability.

JCH77Yanks

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 13:57

1. 99% Tripod when doing landscapes/cityscapes.
2. Between 5-10 shots, all at slightly different exposure settings.

gasrocks

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 14:59

If you say the subject is not moving and extreme blow-ups are your goal, then why not 100% tripod?

kevindar

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 18:33

unless I am travelling really light, 100% tripod. It will also allow for better bracketing if you want to. I also sometimes use a hand held GND, so I want my hands free.
I not only use a tripod, I use mirror lockup, and a remote release.
Many of my landscape shots are taken during sunrise or sunset, and the light changes so much, that I may be at same location for 45 minutes as the sun is setting to well after it has set. I do tend to zoom in and out some, trying to get a couple of different compositions.

Perry Ge

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 18:34

LANDSCAPE / NATURE (with Canon 5D)

1. What percentage of your shots are typically taken "Handheld" vs. "Tripod"?

2. How many total "shots" (number) will you take of a particular scene, before moving on?

1. For landscapes, 100% tripod. MLU and remote trigger too.
2. Loads. Once I have my eye set on a particular scene, I get my composition set, all my filters and settings set, and then I sit and wait for the right light, shooting every couple of minutes. When the light is good, I shoot constantly. For one scene that I like, it's not unusual for me to have over 50-100 shots with the same composition, the lighting is different in each one and I pick the frame where the light is perfect.

curiousgeorge

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 19:29

I never use a tripod because I don't have one and I'd hate to carry one around. If I need a slow shutter speed I rest the camera on my bag or something like that.

Perry Ge

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 19:39

Didn't you ask the exact same question here?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=588077

Double posting is not allowed.

PhotosGuy

20th of October 2008 (Mon), 20:59

I've merged your threads. Duplicate threads are a form of spam & are not allowed under the IMAGE POSTING RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51022)

The_Camera_Poser

21st of October 2008 (Tue), 05:12

1) I'll handhold as often as possible, and have started only taking a tripod when I know I'll use it. I need to get a decent monopod I think.

2) Between 1 and around 500, though my record is 547. A lot of it depends on my company, and how patient they are feeling.

neilwood32

21st of October 2008 (Tue), 08:11

1) tripod 95% of the time. Stability is the key. Even on a lighter/cheaper tripod it is possible to get far sharper images than handheld. I only hand hold in situations where i cant set up the pod (ie in busy streets etc.)

2) As many as it takes. Probably 5-10 sometimes more depending if i want to try a different composition ( lower angle, slight change in viewpoint etc).

Kronie

22nd of October 2008 (Wed), 18:36

I have really tried to use a tripod on just about all of my landscape photography as well as my Macro this year. I am getting WAAAY better results with tripod.

As far as how many shots? I guess it depends on what I'm shooting but generally at least a few at different focal lengths/ exposures/angles.

JCH77Yanks

23rd of October 2008 (Thu), 21:38

I really don't understand why anyone would not consider using a tripod for landscapes. Any pro will tell you that a tripod is a must.

CannedHeat

24th of October 2008 (Fri), 09:01

I once read an article (maybe on Luminous Landscape, but don't remember) that advised using a tripod, even at high shutter speeds. The theory being that no matter the shutter speed, and no matter your perceived steadiness, you still have camera/hand movement that can degrade the image, even if by a very small amount.

I use tripod all the time, even when shooting fast, except when not feasible. As an example, when laying on the ground with the camera at a level too low for a tripod to be used.

homersapien

25th of October 2008 (Sat), 11:06

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHYERS...

As a new Landscape Photographer, I am curious, what is your "typical" approach when encountering a new composition:

1. What percentage of your shots are typically taken "Handheld" vs. "Tripod"?

2. How many total "shots" (number) will you take of a particular scene, before moving on?

Thanks

1. There's no way to quantify this, and you're headed in the wrong direction with this question. A tripod is a tool; sometimes it's the right tool for the job, sometimes it's not.

If you really need a number though: I use my tripod 90% of the time when I need it, the other 10% is when I was too lazy to carry it. My tripod stays in my truck 24/7...it is an essential piece of gear.

2. That depends entirely on the scene. It shouldn't make a difference to you if I shoot 50 or 5 :D In mid-day, I may take a single shot: the light sucks, and it would be impossible for me, or the camera meter, to screw up the exposure. During magic hour, I may take 60 shots over a 15 minute period, because the changing light makes for a very dynamic environment. If I'm bracketing for later blending or HDR, triple that number.

But those are examples of single situations. I think most of us probably have locations that we shoot over and over again. I have spots that I try to capture in all 4 seasons. I have spots that I continually shoot, simply because I like being there. How many times did Adams shoot Yosemite?

;)

HappySnapper90

25th of October 2008 (Sat), 12:01

It really depends on the light. If there is good light and I'm not trying to get a long exposure of say water I'll probably handhold it if my shutter speed is fast enough.

Much of my photos are very early morning and that is 100% tripod, MLU, cable release, manual focusing. And I use more film than digital with 50 to 100 speed slide film and black and white film.

wallybud

26th of October 2008 (Sun), 23:16

Tripod 100% of the time (Yes I carry it everywhere and my Gitzo is a biggie;))
How many images? Until I feel I have gotten what I want, and then I shoot some more...

A lot of the time is lighting allows it, I will take my camera off the tripod and shoot handheld to experiment, then if I find something I really like I'll grab the tripod again haha

bestfromnw

27th of October 2008 (Mon), 22:18

1yr ago 99% tripod 1%handheld
after getting a 5d 60%handheld 40%tripod

wallybud

27th of October 2008 (Mon), 22:34

1yr ago 99% tripod 1%handheld
after getting a 5d 60%handheld 40%tripod

Just curious what your 5D does that is so magic ;)?

HappySnapper90

29th of October 2008 (Wed), 21:48

Just curious what your 5D does that is so magic ;)?

He's probably using high iso instead of a tripod, which to me is sad. Anything worth doing is worth doing right and iso800 or 1600 even on a 5D won't record better IQ than iso100.

xmxdas

30th of October 2008 (Thu), 18:06

Become Married to Your Tripod (http://digital-photographyblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/become-married-to-your-tripod.html)

Landscape Photography (http://digital-photographyblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/landscape-photography_02.html)

Harm

31st of October 2008 (Fri), 15:34

100% handheld, only because I haven't bought a Tripod yet....but I will be, then it would probably be 90% tripod!

From all my handheld shots, I know one of the biggest things I need is a tripod for a non-motion blurred shot (might be on such a small scale, but it softens the shots), and having a level shot.

GregSteer

7th of November 2008 (Fri), 05:37

Because I felt really foolish this morning - 100% handheld (high ISO, low shutter speed *cry* but at least I got some shots!) - I'm on holiday in the Scottish Highlands and left the darn tripod at home! I've requested my wife to slap me if I do this again.

I don't use a tripod as much as I should, esepcially on the 10-20 on my 40. I find shooting handlheld with the 24-105 IS far easier to line everything up then tripod mount for the shot I'm after.

neilwood32

7th of November 2008 (Fri), 10:58

You enjoying the highlands?

Theres lots to shoot - just damn awful light atm.

GregSteer

8th of November 2008 (Sat), 11:43

Aye Neil I did - the scenary's a lot more rugged than around here. Hopefully got some good shots of a couple of Castles and Loch Linnhe (we were staying in Fort William) - need to donwload them to double check with the lack of that tripod!

You enjoying the highlands?

Theres lots to shoot - just damn awful light atm.

Nacnud

10th of November 2008 (Mon), 09:30

2 years ago 50% tripod.
Currently 99% hand-held.
I used to take the tripod everywhere, it still has scars from downclimbing a grade 4S scramble in the Black Cuillin of Skye. Now I only carry the tripod if I have a shot in mind.

Image stabilisation is a wonderful tool.
Recently tested my new 70-200 f4 IS L; 4 shots hand-held at 200mm 1/5s - 3 of them were critically sharp and the fourth was still quite usable for a small print - amazing!

bps

14th of November 2008 (Fri), 19:23

For landscape photography, I always use a tripod. The narrow aperture, combined with the lower light at sunrise and sunset, practically dictate the use of a tripod if you want a sharp image.

I don't have one yet, but you're willing to invest the $$$, you can have a Gitzo/Markin traveller combo weighing in at just under 3lbs. That makes it pretty easy to take the tripod with you, even on long hikes!

Bryan

jcothron

15th of November 2008 (Sat), 01:03

tripod - almost 100% Most of my shutter speeds are 1 sec. or longer I can't imagine not using one really.

It depends on the scene and how many perspectives I envision capturing. As someone else mentioned many times it is about capturing the perfect light, so you tend to take a shot...the light changes an you take another. Frankly sometimes you're just not quite sure when that peak is (will it get any better?) so you capture what you can.

jack lumber

30th of December 2008 (Tue), 19:55

Tripod 80% MLU cable release every time for all the reasons mentioned plus the fact I find it makes me more aware of composition.

Lowner

6th of January 2009 (Tue), 08:58

Tripod/MLU and shutter release cable 80-90%.

I tend to walk around looking at a scene for a long time without thinking about exposing a frame. Just spending time without even consciously thinking about angles and composition improves my success for some reason. Even so, over an hour or two I might shoot as many as 20 versions of the same subject.

gregpphoto

14th of January 2009 (Wed), 14:44

1. For landscapes, 100% tripod. MLU and remote trigger too.
2. Loads. Once I have my eye set on a particular scene, I get my composition set, all my filters and settings set, and then I sit and wait for the right light, shooting every couple of minutes. When the light is good, I shoot constantly. For one scene that I like, it's not unusual for me to have over 50-100 shots with the same composition, the lighting is different in each one and I pick the frame where the light is perfect.

1. Tripod whenever applicable, handheld if I have to. But I often slap it to the tripod and will use it as a boom, with a remote in hand to trigger. So that's hand-tripod-held.

2. Ditto that, Perry. I once sat on a cliff for three hours and shot an entire 4 gig card without moving the camera!

Aside from body and lenses a tripod is my most coveted tool. I won't ever go anywhere with the intention of shooting wild places unless I have it with me.

subnet_rx

24th of January 2009 (Sat), 10:57

I'm very new to photography, but I've found that a monopod is the best compromise between handheld and a tripod. It's very easy to carry and setup. Although I will admit, to my untrained eye, I don't see much difference between using the three different methods when the shutter speed is above 1/100.

Lowner

24th of January 2009 (Sat), 11:38

Subnet,

You've got steadier hands than me then. Anything approaching the "one over the focal length" rule and I'm expecting to see camera shake. My rule of thumb is rather "One over twice the focal length" and even then thats the slowest I'd go without either a tripod or monood.

Roy Mathers

24th of January 2009 (Sat), 13:24

So are you saying that with, for example, a 50mm lens, you wouldn't hand hold slower than 1/100th sec?

Lowner

24th of January 2009 (Sat), 19:04

Yup.

But my arms are getting longer because that damn tripod needs to go everywhere. Unless its a race track, then its the monopod.

chauncey

25th of January 2009 (Sun), 12:29

Do you have a defensible reason not to use a tripod, if not...use it.

Iversonperspective

10th of February 2009 (Tue), 08:30

I do very few of my shots with a tripod because sometimes i usually just forget to bring one. In that case, if my shot is too dark, i just have to move around and find an angle that i like while finding the perfect exposure. Most of the time, i just don't want to fool around with getting the tripod out and setting it up for a few seconds and then take it down because i usually walk around and find my photographs. I'll use a tripod on pictures that are necessary for it, such as a photograph of cars passing by on a long exposure. Other than that, i'm completely independent from the tripod.

Roy Mathers

10th of February 2009 (Tue), 11:03

That's my position exactly.

Iversonperspective

10th of February 2009 (Tue), 11:22

I've learned that and its actually helped me get the best pictures that i want. Instead of taking it, i have to find a viewpoint that fits my exposure meter and can therefore, make my picture more appealing/abstract.

ralff

16th of February 2009 (Mon), 15:32

Here and There

16th of February 2009 (Mon), 16:29

When I got my dslr in January I started out not carrying a tripod and messed up a few shots in early morning light that I would have liked to keep. I have a decent tripod (slik u-212), but was lazy about carrying it with me. Now I always take it with me and use it for all my landscape shots, unless I'm going to do a lot of walking around in crowded areas. That's when the monopod goes with me.

gregpphoto

17th of February 2009 (Tue), 10:06

My mentor told me that the tripod forces you to compose more carefully. I use a tripod fo all of my keepers, will hand hold if I am just taking a "snap" of something I want to come back to when the light is better. :cool:

He's right. A tripod is the single most important non-optical photographic accessory you can purchase.

jcothron

17th of February 2009 (Tue), 10:30

To each their own, but I still can't fathom doing landscapes without a tripod. I'm relatively new to the digitial age only having come from film 7 months ago or so. Perhaps that's the difference...using higher ISO vs. Velvia 50 from film.

Even shooting digital now, I almost always shoot ISO 50. Maybe I shouldn't? Seems to get less noise in most cases from what I can tell. One thing I HAVE done lately is after I finish shooting I shoot with the 24L wide open handheld on the way back. Sure I've got a couple or three that I like, but nothing like setting up a shot on the gitzo. The stability just isn't there without it.

I have a G1325 tripod and Arca ballhead, which isn't the lightest thing to hike with but I'd rather have it than not. There are MANY shots I couldn't have gotten without it. If you're like me you miss enough anyway...why make even harder? :)

Glenn NK

17th of February 2009 (Tue), 21:14

Tripod about 99.99 percent of the time.

The other 0.01 percent of the time is when I'm in a rush and not thinking too well - which means that I only throw out about 0.01 percent of landscape images.

Just kidding of course (I throw out more than that), but wouldn't dream of doing a serious landscape without a tripod.

Unlike the previous poster (jcothron), I use ISO values as high as 400 or 620 with my 30D, and always use mirror lockup with a remote release.

Good landscapes are invariably done in the golden hours when light isn't the brightest - so I have to be.;)

Glenn

Lowner

18th of February 2009 (Wed), 08:38

Glenn NK

18th of February 2009 (Wed), 12:18

Glenn,

Would you be kind enough to run through your own MLU setting procedure step by step?

I cannot for the life of me remember even after reading the manual - I think my brain goes to mush halfway through. I'd need both before AND after, setting AND unsetting.

Sorry to ask this of you, but Canon will insist on ignoring us tripod users, preferring to pander to the million frames a second, handheld, wide open at maximum possible ISO crowd.

Sure:

1. MENU button

2. Use the big wheel to scroll to Custom Functions.

3. Press centre button on big wheel.

4. Scroll to Mirror Lockup - function 12.

5. Press centre button again.

6. Scroll to Enable with big wheel.

To disengage, repeat steps except step 6. becomes scroll to Disable.

After I press the remote release, I wait about two seconds for vibrations to stop, and then press again to activate the shutter (the first press locks the mirror up - it's where most of the vibrations come from).

Glenn

gregpphoto

18th of February 2009 (Wed), 13:03

Good landscapes are invariably done in the golden hours when light isn't the brightest - so I have to be.;)

Glenn

Most people don't realize that that is a big falsehood. ANY time of day can lead to incredible images. If anything, the golden hour has become so abused and so overdone that while I still take those kinds of shots, they usually look very similar to what everyone is getting, so they never make it off the hard drive. Remember, Ansel Adams did the majority of his work away from the golden hours, in the middle of the day. Maybe that's that part of why we love his work as much as we do, because it showcases something different.

Both of these images were made in the middle of the day, the first one around high noon and it's of water! No idea how I got it as soft as I did without any light mods, but I'm happy I did.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2847774524_02fe4dc33c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2816147595_0e839b35fe.jpg

gregpphoto

18th of February 2009 (Wed), 15:23

And on an Ansel Adams note, this image of mine is probably my most Ansel-esque, and like his, it was made in the middle of the day.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1138/1422018038_8591bd918b_o.jpg

Lowner

18th of February 2009 (Wed), 15:52

Glenn,

Very many thanks for that. I'm going to make up a laminated crib sheet and keep it in the bag.

Superdave26

18th of February 2009 (Wed), 19:00

I only use a tripod for water and night shots. I regularly sell prints as large as 24x36 and never get blurry or out of focus shots. No one said you couldn't get good shots during the middle of the day. But the golden hour does produce incredible light. I shoot regularly during the day, but only when its cloudy. The tripod also takes some spontaneity and creativity out of it for me personally.

ralff

19th of February 2009 (Thu), 10:24

looks like the examples were all shot on cloudy days, there are exceptions to the rule, clouds, shade etc...but the BSET light is the "Golden Hours".....

Roy Mathers

19th of February 2009 (Thu), 12:34

looks like the examples were all shot on cloudy days, there are exceptions to the rule, clouds, shade etc...but the BSET light is the "Golden Hours".....

But the 'Golden Hours' could be BSET with problems! :D

gregpphoto

19th of February 2009 (Thu), 12:44

looks like the examples were all shot on cloudy days, there are exceptions to the rule, clouds, shade etc...but the BSET light is the "Golden Hours".....

No, thats the light that most people choose to utilize. No light is that better than any other in nature that I would rule out others. Imo, at least. People have got to learn to think outside of the box and not what their outdoor photographer magazine or friend or mentor tells them.

jacuff

23rd of February 2009 (Mon), 21:55

1) I use a tripod for maybe 90-95% of my nature shots.
2) It really depends. Some times I'll stay in an area and fire off 30-40 shots trying different compositions and different subjects. Other times, I'll shot a couple and leave. Really depends on what else I have planed for the day and if I found anything interesting that I didn't already know about.

ralff

24th of February 2009 (Tue), 10:16

NOTE I said "there are exceptions to the rule" but I still believe that the hours after sunrise and the hours before sunset are the "best", more interesting shadows and contrrast, not the severe contrast of the midday sun....that is my opinion, and has proven to be true from most of my experience. Have snapped some pictures at miday only to come back in better light or an overcast day. Most people seem to use what is available instead of taking the time to come back to the same location from time to time and see what other lighting conditions do to the same scene.

No, thats the light that most people choose to utilize. No light is that better than any other in nature that I would rule out others. Imo, at least. People have got to learn to think outside of the box and not what their outdoor photographer magazine or friend or mentor tells them.

rdenney

24th of February 2009 (Tue), 15:25

I'd be the first to argue the important of the tripod, and I have a bunch of them (check my list). For medium and large format, my percentage for landscapes is near 100%.

But when I'm using the 5D, I usually do not use the tripod. The simple reason is that I'm fitting my landscape work often in a busy schedule, and I just don't have the time to futz with the tripod. I'd rather make images than not make them because I don't have time or space to bring a tripod.

That doesn't mean I'm incapable of turning just about any firm support into a tripod at need. I didn't have a tripod for this 6-second exposure (at ISO 800!), but I did have a firm railing, and the RRS L-bracket, though not locked into the Monoball, nevertheless provided a flat, firm surface for bracing the camera.

http://www.rickdenney.com/IMG_0538_pulpit_lores.jpg

It also doesn't mean I don't know the limitations I'm imposing in terms of print size. By and large, however, I don't usually lose enough to prevent making prints up to the capability of my printer.

I'm an unashamed chimper. I don't take a second shot if the first one turned out well (with a good histogram and in focus). I will often experiment with different compositions, however, if the first one didn't please me.

I absolutely agree that the best light is the light that's there when you are. I just look for the images that work with whatever light. The flat lighting of overcast that so many grumble about is a perfect time for revealing saturated and colors and textures that might otherwise be lost to glare. Ditto back-lighting. Sometimes the rim-lighting effect of back-lighting gives shape to an image. I'd rather make images that make the most of whatever light than make no images at all. Sometimes the light is magical when I'm there, and then I don't stop making images. But sometimes I have to make the magic, or, again, make no images at all.

Rick "often at a place for only a short time" Denney

Artisticmind

25th of February 2009 (Wed), 20:58

If i went out for a shoot I used my tripod (if i saw a pretty sunset or wanted to do HDR) and took 3-4 shots a scene.

If I was just traveling I would shoot 80% handheld 20% tripod. (Too lazy to take it out all the time) and take 2-4 shots of the scene.

gregpphoto

25th of February 2009 (Wed), 21:00

NOTE I said "there are exceptions to the rule" but I still believe that the hours after sunrise and the hours before sunset are the "best", more interesting shadows and contrrast, not the severe contrast of the midday sun....that is my opinion, and has proven to be true from most of my experience. Have snapped some pictures at miday only to come back in better light or an overcast day. Most people seem to use what is available instead of taking the time to come back to the same location from time to time and see what other lighting conditions do to the same scene.

I do both! I absolutely agree with coming back when the light is "better" (quoted because there is no good or bad light, only good or bad photographers ;)), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't shoot when the light is "bad."