Five Tips for Making Better Pictures with the Camera You Already Have

Tip # 4 – Holding It Steady: Using a Tripod

Artsy or blurry?

It doesn’t take a professional photographer to spot if a photo is out of focus. Most people scanning through a bunch of photos can easily tell if one is blurry (or not sharp). It can be attributed to many things, but ultimately it can be a product of the any of these three possible scenarios: the subject moved, the photographer (specifically, his hands) moved, or both of them moved (like during an earthquake).

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If you own a point and shoot, you might get tempted to upgrade to one of those newfangled ‘stabilized’ models because they promise sharper shots even at slow shutter speeds. Or if you have a DSLR, you might fall sway to the lure of a lens with built in stabilization features (which are truly useful, but a tad overrated, especially if you’re resourceful).

The cheapest way to get a sharper photo is to get a tripod (or use the one that’s gathering dust in its carrying case in the corner).

A tripod that can sufficiently support your camera will not only result in a sharper photo, but it will allow you to keep the shutter open for those long exposures (ex. shooting fireworks, flowing water, etc.). Using slow shutter speeds will allow you to convey motion and the passage of time, which is something that’s often taken for granted in the making of a still photograph.

Counting blue cars?

I know that there are times when the use of a tripod becomes cumbersome, even prohibited; but I must also say that when and where it can be used, most people don’t use it as often as they can. I believe one should always use all the tools at his disposal before even thinking of disposing of those ‘old’ tools for newer and shinier ones.

Continued here