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MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012 Camera Supports It is certainly possible to take macrophotographs by hand holding your camera and lens, and sometimes it may be necessary, but most of the time you will want to support your camera to get the sharpest pictures possible. One exception is when you are chasing butterflies or other subjects that move quickly. In those circumstances, you can attach a flash to your camera and the flash will permit you to freeze the action and capture skittish animals even when hand holding your macro lens and camera. For flowers and other small specimens, a tripod is a necessity for sharp pictures. If your subjects are small flowers or any type of specimens found on the ground, then a tripod that will lay completely flat is preferred. You can use a bean bag in some circumstances, but a tripod whose legs splay out flat to the ground is the best accessory you can own. Choosing a tripod depends on many factors, including your budget and how much you are willing to carry around with you. The sturdiest and lightest weight tripods are made of carbon. Tripods can vary in cost from $25 to over $1000. In addition to choosing a tripod, you also need to decide what kind of head to attach to it. Nature photographers often prefer a ball head that allows quick set up with variable tension so the subject if moving can be followed. For macrophotography one rarely needs to move the camera quickly so a tripod head with three axis handles also works well. If you are considering purchasing a tripod for macrophotography select one that does not have a center post so that the tripod can lie flat on the ground. Sometimes I simply hacksaw the center post off. Some tripods provide center posts which allow you to attach the camera to the bottom of the post. Anyone that has tried to do this soon realizes how uncomfortable and inconvenient this is. If you are in the market for a new tripod, I have written an overview of tripods and their features on my web site at: www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/tripod.html. Avoid cheap tripods they have limited use unless you want something disposable. Beanbags are useful for shooting from the ground or your car window, but can’t replace a good tripod. Left: home-made bean bag Right: photographer supporting his camera on a bean bag. Robert Berdan | 26
MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012 Cheap tripods: The one on the left can’t be positioned low to the ground; the one of the right is only stable enough for small compact cameras and has limited maneuverability. Above: Gitzo tripod with legs splayed out so the photographer can photograph small calypso orchids close to the ground. The legs are covered in pipe insulation, which makes them more comfortable to carry. Robert Berdan | 27
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