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What are the advantages of photographing handheld?
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Jun 29, 2019 10:59:59   #
CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida
 
Every really good photographer is flexible in the use of various pieces of equipment and camera settings. "RULES" are simply suggestions and starting points on some occasions. Do I always use a tripod? No, but if possible, Yes. Do I always shoot in aperture mode? NO, but most of the time.
The key word for me is flexibility.

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Jun 29, 2019 11:31:00   #
Selene03
 
I have been at this for 40-50 years, which I think makes a difference. I remember having to choose film for lighting circumstance (often unknown in advance) and format of output. I did a lot of photographing of artifacts and documents in museums and libraries and used a black and white 1600 asa film. I had to use tripod; handholding wasn't an option. Even then it was hard not to get blurry photos. Outside, I rarely used or felt I needed a tripod, but I didn't shoot much at night.

Enter the digital age, not only do my cameras focus well in low light, they can produce sharp pictures with high isos. I have been able to get better interior shots from my Canons with a 16-35 f4 lens with IS than anything I ever got with my old film camera. The ISOs can go high with care and good noise reduction. Most interior places I have traveled to do not allow tripods or flash so you need to take what you can get. In any case, I think good hand holding skills and hand holding shots make good sense for travel photography. I also prefer handholding shots taking photos of birds and wildlife (mostly whales and dolphins) from my kayak, and hiking, as I mostly don't want to climb rocks with a tripod (younger people can do that). I think handholding gives me more flexibility and the ability to get unique shots quickly. Thinking about handholding makes me less obtrusive as a tourist. Since I take most of my photos traveling, hiking, or kayaking, I rarely use a tripod nor do I feel the need to with modern digital cameras' ability to shoot at higher isos, IS in lenses, and now I have IBIS in a Sony camera. I recently was at a wedding and watched the photographer who took most of the best shots handheld.

That being said, there are still time when a good solid tripod is essential: landscape shots around sunrise or sunset, night shots, and astrophotography. In short, I don't think it is necessarily a question of either I am going to use a tripod or not, but when I can and can't or when conditions suggest I have to.

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Jun 29, 2019 12:28:18   #
photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA
 
If the light is right I won't use a tripod. Again, the light has be bright enough to give me a shutter speed of at least 1/125 @ a maximum aperture of f/8 (f/11 or 16 is preferable for my landscape shooting). I will max out at an ISO of 400.

I often shoot on highway shoulders and the extra time it takes to set up a tripod increases the chance of being run down by an automobile. The added mobility of hand holding gives me the opportunity to get out of the way of crazy drivers who like to come in too close for comfort.

I find that the main advantage of using a tripod is a straight horizon (I use bubble levels on my hot shoot). When hand holding the camera the horizon can be off.

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Jun 29, 2019 12:30:37   #
xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada
 
John Gerlach wrote:
I have been ask to write about the merits of using a tripod and shooting handheld. Both have merits for sure, and both have drawbacks. I learned to shoot nature photos in the early seventies from Larry West and John Shaw in Michigan. Both were quality photographers who stressed how to shoot quality images. I paid attention, and it worked for me. I use a tripod or another solid platform whenever I can. That often is a bean bag on my car window or in the roof hatch of a safari vehicle. That means I am on a solid support 95% of the time. But, there are times when even I admit handheld shooting is better, or the only way to work the subjects. Photographing snow geese almost directly overhead at Bosque comes to mind as I have never been able to shoot a gimbal head directly up due to hitting the tripod legs. Therefore, I have compiled a list of places where handheld could be an answer, though, not always. Well, on a rocking boat, I think handheld is the only answer so your body can absorb some of the motion. If you have an example where handheld is really helpful, please pass it along. I already have many situations where a tripod is the better answer, but I want to be far to both ways of doing things.

Oh, by the way, I just posted my article on how I shoot sharp wildlife photos on my blog.

Advantages of Handheld Photography vs Tripod or Stable Support Photography
1. Don’t need to spend the money on a tripod or head
2. Don’t have to carry the weight of the gear
3. Quicker to shoot handheld than mounting your camera on a tripod
4. Easier to shoot in deep snow where the base is not stable for a tripod
5. Easier to shoot when you must shoot straight down from a viewpoint where it would be difficult to get a tripod into position without it falling over the edge.
6. Better handheld to shoot from a boat that is bouncing in the swells
7. Better for shooting birds overhead
8. Quicker to try different compositions
9. Short lenses and bright light and image stabilization make it easier to shoot sharp images handheld now
10. Easier to track moving targets handheld, especially when close and moving fast.
I have been ask to write about the merits of using... (show quote)


It is much cheaper than buying a tripod.

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Jun 29, 2019 12:39:43   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
John, to address the question posed in your title, spontaneity.
--Bob
John Gerlach wrote:
I have been ask to write about the merits of using a tripod and shooting handheld. Both have merits for sure, and both have drawbacks. I learned to shoot nature photos in the early seventies from Larry West and John Shaw in Michigan. Both were quality photographers who stressed how to shoot quality images. I paid attention, and it worked for me. I use a tripod or another solid platform whenever I can. That often is a bean bag on my car window or in the roof hatch of a safari vehicle. That means I am on a solid support 95% of the time. But, there are times when even I admit handheld shooting is better, or the only way to work the subjects. Photographing snow geese almost directly overhead at Bosque comes to mind as I have never been able to shoot a gimbal head directly up due to hitting the tripod legs. Therefore, I have compiled a list of places where handheld could be an answer, though, not always. Well, on a rocking boat, I think handheld is the only answer so your body can absorb some of the motion. If you have an example where handheld is really helpful, please pass it along. I already have many situations where a tripod is the better answer, but I want to be far to both ways of doing things.

Oh, by the way, I just posted my article on how I shoot sharp wildlife photos on my blog.

Advantages of Handheld Photography vs Tripod or Stable Support Photography
1. Don’t need to spend the money on a tripod or head
2. Don’t have to carry the weight of the gear
3. Quicker to shoot handheld than mounting your camera on a tripod
4. Easier to shoot in deep snow where the base is not stable for a tripod
5. Easier to shoot when you must shoot straight down from a viewpoint where it would be difficult to get a tripod into position without it falling over the edge.
6. Better handheld to shoot from a boat that is bouncing in the swells
7. Better for shooting birds overhead
8. Quicker to try different compositions
9. Short lenses and bright light and image stabilization make it easier to shoot sharp images handheld now
10. Easier to track moving targets handheld, especially when close and moving fast.
I have been ask to write about the merits of using... (show quote)

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Jun 29, 2019 12:46:31   #
dick ranez
 
I would add sports photography unless you're trying for a specific movement - slide at home plate, kickoff, basketball dunk or similar. Too difficult to follow the action on a tripod.

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Jun 29, 2019 12:57:46   #
AndyGarcia
 
I use a tripod when shooting real estate internal shots.

As for everything else mobility is my need. So I never use a tripod for landscape or wildlife. I live in Costa Rica. My 3-minute walk to the beach will often bring up unexpected opportunities - it's would not be possible to use a tripod by the time it was set up the subject would have gone. My beach is like many people's street.

If I was going out to a location to take some specific shots I might use a tripod. However, I like to travel light.

With modern technology, I rarely get camera shake. I've been taking photos for 60 years. I can still hand hold at slow shutter speeds pretty well.

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Jun 29, 2019 13:20:40   #
cascoly Loc: seattle
 
any activity involving the photographer - climbing, hiking, skiing

any candids of people - markets, street scenes, fairs & festivals

museums (most dont allow tripods)

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Jun 29, 2019 13:22:54   #
sirlensalot Loc: Arizona
 
Mobility. Kind of meshes with OP #3.

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Jun 29, 2019 13:37:50   #
Bill P
 
AS usual, Brother Shapiro demonstrates with his comments that he is a pro, and not just an enthusiast. I have infrequently used a tripod in my over 49 year career as a pro. Along with the additional advantages of not having to carry around a big bulky heavy unwieldy thing, hand held gives me the ability to react in a flash, while moving a tripod causes time to stand still. Street photography ith a tripod is foolish. I did commercial work all my career, first in the photo department of a large aircraft manufacturer, then on my own, photographing meant work on major construction projects in refineries, chemical plants, powerhouses, and much other. Sometimes I used a tripod if time allowed, in some cases a great deal of time would be spent standing around waiting for the shot to materialize, but mostly, I needed to move.

As to hand holding, I have noticed that when I see people shooting, most don't know how to hand hold a camera for best stability. But the concept of learning about photography has been destroyed by digital.

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Jun 29, 2019 14:26:03   #
uhaas2009
 
dhk wrote:
Hand held with stabilization both landscape and skimmer June 2019


What lens did you shoot theses images?

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Jun 29, 2019 14:52:24   #
billbarcus Loc: IPNW
 
There certainly is a vast amount of photography experience and talent posted here in response to the post by John Gerlach. As with many folks here, I too remember the days of Kodachrome 64, Fuji Velvia 25 and 50 asa, et.al. The question of using HH or the tripod raises some interesting view points and opinions, and it seems that the tripod got 'the short end of the stick' in this round (pun intended).

So, I'd like to throw my two cents into the pot here. I am self-taught and started shooting landscapes and wildlife back in the early 1980s. I was quite fortunate a few years later to begin shooting and writing wildlife articles for Arizona Highways Magazine. At the time, I owned an older, battered 1968 Chevy 4x4 pickup, a Minolta 35mm, a 50mm kit lens, and the most inexpensive, yet best 500mm I could afford, along with a Bogen/Manfrotto tripod. That combo and I covered a lot of Arizona's backcountry.

Many of the assignments were a one-time venture, and the need to 'get it right' the first time was paramount. There usually weren't any second chances! I learned very early-on that the use of a tripod was an absolute necessity; 95% of the photography was done using that tripod. I later graduated to shooting landscapes with medium format cameras - the first, a Mamiya Rb67 that didn't have a built-in light meter. This camera taught me what the word, 'bracketing' meant. Film for that camera wasn't cheap, and I had to get it right the first time out, as I couldn't afford the luxury of burning money for film in those days.

The bottom line is this: In the photographic world I grew up with a tripod. I wish I had put a quarter in the piggy bank for every mile I trekked with that tripod slung over my shoulder. Today, I still have that tripod and use it 90% of the time for all photo work, BIF and eagles.

Well, as the popular, September Song goes ... "I've lost one tooth, and I walk a little lame." The years have slowed me down and I can't hike the backcountry like I once was able, but when I do, that old tripod is still slung over my shoulder. I've retired the Minolta years ago, and now shoot digital exclusively. My present setup is Nikon D810 w/battery pack, coupled to the Nikon 500mm F/4G, which weighs in at 8 1/2 pounds. I would guess that the entire setup, with a Manfrotto gimbal, weighs in at around 20+ pounds.

I never leave home without it. Without the tripod I would never get many keepers. Much of my shooting is premeditated and I know where my subjects are to be found. Taking the tripod and setup from the shoulder is second nature ... I can flop down and adjust the legs instantly and get to the business at hand without any hesitation or fumbling. Many wildlife photographers that aren't familiar with their tripods will end up in a cussing fit trying to get it set up, which usually ends with the target subjects taking flight or otherwise fleeing - and this is the number one reason why so many photographers bash tripod use ... they just don't spend enough time using it.

So, anyone out there in UHH land that's a determined HH shooter, maybe you've got a Gitzo or a RRS collecting dust in the closet, and maybe you'd like to part with it for 'a song. Ha! I'll take it off your hands ... 'been looking to upgrade.

Bill Barcus

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Jun 29, 2019 15:36:59   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Bill P wrote:
AS usual, Brother Shapiro demonstrates with his comments that he is a pro, and not just an enthusiast. I have infrequently used a tripod in my over 49 year career as a pro. Along with the additional advantages of not having to carry around a big bulky heavy unwieldy thing, hand held gives me the ability to react in a flash, while moving a tripod causes time to stand still. Street photography ith a tripod is foolish. I did commercial work all my career, first in the photo department of a large aircraft manufacturer, then on my own, photographing meant work on major construction projects in refineries, chemical plants, powerhouses, and much other. Sometimes I used a tripod if time allowed, in some cases a great deal of time would be spent standing around waiting for the shot to materialize, but mostly, I needed to move.

As to hand holding, I have noticed that when I see people shooting, most don't know how to hand hold a camera for best stability. But the concept of learning about photography has been destroyed by digital.
AS usual, Brother Shapiro demonstrates with his co... (show quote)


I don't know if digital photography has COMPLETELY destroyed the learning of photography (perhaps most of it) but it has certainly given rise to a bunch of (some) LAZY photographers.

I know what you mean about big heavy tripods- I am a bit overkill in that department as well. It was 1961, I was kinda finishing up my studio apprenticeship and beginning to get more location assignments. I walked into my favorite dealer, Raleigh Camera in Brooklyn, New York and asked the proprietor about a solid, super sturdy tripod for my 4x5 equipment. I'll never forget the words of Irving, the owner; "I've got a tripod for you, kid- you can mount a house on it"! I was duly impressed and purchased a Quick-St Husky model. Besides, Irving was a nice gentleman and knowing I was a rookie, just getting started, he gave me a very good deal! That was just the beginning, then came a Majestic- that monster had accessory extension legs so I could work form a stepladder. I still have a Manfrotto unit that looks like it's made of sewer pipes! I won't even mention the studio camera stand that required 3 guys to deliver. No wimpy tripod with "toothpick legs" for me. Who needs barbells for workouts- I have my tripods!

At 75 years old, I'm still schlepping some of that gear around to location jobs, however, my nice little Gitzo carbon-fiber job is now my favorite. I still love to work hand-held whenever possible or necessary.

A friend of mine is a documentary cinematographer. He showed me a method of practicing camera support by hand holding his camera in front of a full-length mirror and learning to move smoothly and using body mechanics for support. His hand held sequences look like he was using a Steadicam or a dolly!

After years of handling big, bulky and somewhat clumsy large and medium format cameras, even a full-featured DSLR is an easy trick.

Sometimes when I am out shooting on an industrial or construction site where there is lots of vibration or wind, I bring my monster Manfrotto with a "little" digital camera atop the head- it's funny looking, the head is larger than the camera.

Thanks for your kind words and good conversation. Refreshing!

Next time I'll tell you about my old Elwood 8x10 Enlarger. Emplazenened on the chassis were the words "Elwood Iron Foundries"- that was heavy! I found a picture of one online- I think this is this is the 5x7 model, mine was bigger! My computer and my big Epson printer is smaller than that thing was.



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Jun 29, 2019 15:40:24   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
John Gerlach wrote:
I have been ask to write about the merits of using a tripod and shooting handheld. Both have merits for sure, and both have drawbacks. I learned to shoot nature photos in the early seventies from Larry West and John Shaw in Michigan. Both were quality photographers who stressed how to shoot quality images. I paid attention, and it worked for me. I use a tripod or another solid platform whenever I can. That often is a bean bag on my car window or in the roof hatch of a safari vehicle. That means I am on a solid support 95% of the time. But, there are times when even I admit handheld shooting is better, or the only way to work the subjects. Photographing snow geese almost directly overhead at Bosque comes to mind as I have never been able to shoot a gimbal head directly up due to hitting the tripod legs. Therefore, I have compiled a list of places where handheld could be an answer, though, not always. Well, on a rocking boat, I think handheld is the only answer so your body can absorb some of the motion. If you have an example where handheld is really helpful, please pass it along. I already have many situations where a tripod is the better answer, but I want to be far to both ways of doing things.

Oh, by the way, I just posted my article on how I shoot sharp wildlife photos on my blog.

Advantages of Handheld Photography vs Tripod or Stable Support Photography
1. Don’t need to spend the money on a tripod or head
2. Don’t have to carry the weight of the gear
3. Quicker to shoot handheld than mounting your camera on a tripod
4. Easier to shoot in deep snow where the base is not stable for a tripod
5. Easier to shoot when you must shoot straight down from a viewpoint where it would be difficult to get a tripod into position without it falling over the edge.
6. Better handheld to shoot from a boat that is bouncing in the swells
7. Better for shooting birds overhead
8. Quicker to try different compositions
9. Short lenses and bright light and image stabilization make it easier to shoot sharp images handheld now
10. Easier to track moving targets handheld, especially when close and moving fast.
I have been ask to write about the merits of using... (show quote)


I think you already answered the question in your introduction, both have, of course advantages of their own. I for myself shoot any kind of action, sports, animals, BIF, etc., as well as most macro's hand held and put the camera on a support for stationary subjects, that's all there's to it, simple and easy!

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Jun 29, 2019 15:51:05   #
John Gerlach Loc: Island Park, Idaho
 
WarpedWeaver wrote:
How about all those places that no longer (or never did) allow tripods such as museums? I understand that some national parks are thinking about limiting tripod use to certain areas....and I think street photography would be awkward with a tripod.


Good point, if tripods are outlawed, then you do what you can.

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