Sharper Photos Using a Table Top Tripod As a "Chest Pod"
- Sara Taylor
- Dec 4, 2017
- 3 min read
Most photographers today, both amateur and professional, have a tabletop travel tripod advice in their gadget bag to use when photographing small objects on a "table"or to lean on the top of a car, a wall, or A fence when there is a large tripod is available or practical.
However, there are times when you want the support and vibration to stop on a tripod, but the subject moves too quickly; you just can not reorient quickly enough to take the shot: just think about taking pictures of an active object. the child in a playground. But you really want the firmness that a tripod offers for sharper photos that can blow up big and still attract attention.
Enter the Classic Table Tripod
By turning it in a new configuration with the tripod against the chest and the camera towards the eye, you can hold the camera to obtain much of the stabilizing power of a best lightweight travel tripods on the floor, but the flexibility to move quickly with fast moving subjects. You can also lean on a wall, a fence, the side of a house, anything that gives you the stability you need for sharper photos.
I have two. First, a classic Leitz table tripod with large ball and socket head. I think this is not done anymore (mine is over 40 years old, Leica does good things!). It has a disadvantage. You can not configure the spherical head for limited or smooth drag. It is loose or blocked. And although it folds, it does not fold compactly (unless you separate the two parts, which makes it more difficult to quickly configure it).
I used this setup several times photographing Indy-type race cars going over 200 miles per hour! I was standing about 50 or 60 feet off the track and I just swept the whole body, with the chest pod supporting the camera, and released the shutter as I moved across the tray. Great shots of the action, and sharp! (Additional tip: with this technique, you can reduce the shutter speed to 1/60 or 1/125 or more, and when you move with the car in motion, releasing the shutter during planning, you get an image that is simply STRANGE! SPEED!)
And, of course, by slowing down a bit, you can use it on walks to increase the stability and sharpness of your photos while lightening the load you carry. And it is configured faster than a full-size travel tripod reviews.
My other newer model is the Slik Mini-Pro. These people make many tripods in all sizes, weights, and materials; You can select the most suitable one for your needs. The tripod folds very small and comes with a typical pan head (although small). The small tray head is ideal for basic tabletops, but it is somewhat uncomfortable for the use of chest pod.
Much easier and more effective, I recommend a Kaiser Lightweight ball and Socket Head to replace the head of the tray that comes with the tripod (do not pull the head off the cymbal, you will always find times when you still want to use it). When you are really using the head of the ball and the socket, you may not want to completely block the head of the ball, just use a slight drag. This gives you much more flexibility to move with the subject while giving you additional support for additional sharp photos.
View additionally at “Carbon Fiber Vs Aluminum Tripod”
Since the Leitz model is no longer available (unless you find one used), the Silk/Kaiser combination will be a valuable addition to your device bag, which gives you the freedom to photograph fast-moving subjects while holding the camera. Stable enough to encourage large prints. You will be proud to show. This is especially true if your camera has image stabilization.
Of course, try this valuable technique. It will really help you get more excellent photos to make really great prints.
An Illustrated Version of This Article is Available Here
Sara Taylor has been involved in photography for more years than she would like to think. She worked for Minolta Cameras for more than 30 years and taught photography, in addition to developing the Minolta Photography School, which became the photography seminars The Maxxum Experience. She wants photographers to take the best pictures they can and encourages them to proudly display their work for everyone to see.
Be sure to visit mytraveltripod.com for powerful information on many aspects of photography along with excellent ideas and opportunities to obtain excellent products and services. Visit our site at “Best Travel Tripods in 2018”
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