EQUIPMENT TRIPODS
Using your tripod
Always use the wider legs close to the head before extending the thinner , less stable , legs . Also , generally speaking , have one leg pointing forward and two at the back . If you ’ re shooting on a slope , make sure one leg is down the slope and the other two are higher up ( see left ) to avoid everything toppling over . Don ’ t be tempted to extend the centre column either . With the legs at their minimum extension and the centre column fully extended , the tripod is top heavy and likely to topple over in the wind or if the legs aren ’ t level .
Set the height
The quickest way to find the correct tripod height is to roughly compose your shot with the camera handheld , making a mental note of its height . Next , release the leg locks on the tripod and lift the tripod up to the desired height before engaging the locks . Ideally , this will be using the wider and more stable leg sections , unless you require the thinner sections to reach the desired height .
Level your camera / tripod
Most tripod legs have a spirit level that can be used to make sure the legs are level , and therefore more stable . If your tripod doesn ’ t have one , use your judgement to get the legs as close to level as possible . Almost all tripod heads have a spirit level too , to straighten up the camera , and many photographers use the Virtual Horizon in Live View or a hotshoe spirit level .
Getting down low ( or high ) Some tripods feature a centre column that can be repositioned horizontally using an innovative mechanism . If you don ’ t have one of these tripods , simply remove the centre column and insert it back into the legs upside down and lock in position . You can now get the camera down to ground level for an ultra-low viewpoint , although the camera will , of course , be upside down .
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