Questions using the Ultrapod for taking (self) pix

[Carl Gee]

Thanks for your suggestions on purchase of the Ultrapod.
The main reason for purchase is to take pix with my Canon S1 primarily of my wife and me either standing by some monument, building, picknicing, or some other typical tourist shot of ourselves.

Since many of these shots don't necessarily have nearby posts or benches so that I can fasten the ultrapod, the camera will be on the ground and pointing upward at us. (not sure this is where I want to shoot from).
I'm not sure how I would fasten that Ultrapod to "outside" objects.
Do you have a solution to getting the camera up at head level?
If you do use the Ultrapod mostly on the ground, what kind of shots do you typically take.
I love the fact that the Ultrapod is back-packable, but wont this limit the shots I can take with it?

From what Ive read , a cheap tripod is unsteady and not a great idea, but I will only use it for pix of my wife and me while standing beside something.
Any suggestions appreciated.

[gkuenning]

Carl,

Got your private note but my reply bounced. Send me a current address (geoff@cs.hmc.edu) and I'll resend it.

I usually put my mini-tripod on a bench, ledge, or other handy spot. But sometimes I just take ground-level shots; it makes a good angle for tall monuments and buildings. I have a Bogen with metal legs, so it's very stable (when the legs are only 6 inches, they don't bend much!). I also use it for interior and night shots and get good results.