What tripod do you use for water shots?

[petriej]

I have recently upgraded from a Canon SD1000 (problems with degrading picture quality) to a T1i and was wondering what the recommendations are for capturing water shots. In the past I have always gotten in or really close to the surface of the water with my SD1000 and a very small flexible leg tripod. I also liked this because it helped me frame out the background that I didn't particularly care to subject. I hold the legs sturdy on a rock and then use the self timer.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh92/petriej/Photography%20SD1000/July42009Ouray073.jpg

(not pro quality, I think that the ISO was too high. I've already started taking classes to better myself with the T1i)


Can the effect be better captured by using a taller tripod? What about the gorilla pod focus? It looks sturdy and of all of the tripods I have read about will get the closest to ground level - my main goal. This would only be used for water shots unless recommended otherwise.

Thank you,



J

Image posting Rules are that images may not exceed 1024 pixels on the longest dimension. Outsized image changed to link.

Jon

[RPCrowe]

There are many tripods with which can shoot from a very low position. The tripod that I use is the Giottos (mine is the Carbon Fiber MT-8180) which is an articulating tripod very much like, but IMO superior to, the U.K. made Benbo or the Chinese copy Benro tripods. This tripod is very solid and you can almost place your camera at any angle or any height when using it.

http://www.giottos.com/

Giottos tripods can be equipped the the optional multifunction shoe. I have not had the occasion to use this shoe on rocks but, it looks like it would work well - better anyway than the standard rubber tips with which most tripods are equipped.

http://www.adorama.com/images/Product/GTMFS.jpg (http://www.adorama.com/catlite.tpl?op=large_image&sku=GTMFS.JPG)
http://www.adorama.com/GTMFS.html?searchinfo=giottos+snow