Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

[jimsphotography]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Yes & No.
A friend of mine ( David Clapp - a very talented pro landscape photographer) insisted I used a tripod for all my landscape shots. He reasoned that if you wanted to move from taking 'snaps' to a more considered approach & to understand how the key elements of an image are arranged in terms of position, angle, use of different focal length, filters etc the I needed to slow down, switch the camera onto live view, place it on a good tripod and most importantly consider how these various elements are ( or are not) affecting the image.
His method worked ( for me) and as I took my time to look at the possible outcome I learnt to see the landscape in a new way.
Once you have learnt this slower way of considering the elements that make up a possible shot and how various elements help or detract you can eventually put the tripod away.
I now only use a tripod if I want to shoot at a low shutter speed ( eg twilight, low ISO etc) but if the light allows it a hand held shot - but still one that has been thought out and pre planned.
Hope that helps
James


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[antoeknee]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Seems to be a trend with tripod usage. My method is much same as James and has been since shooting with film.

Whether handheld or on a tripod I adopt same method so time/planning takes similar amount of time. If I'm out walking then I won't take a tripod. Again like James tripod main use is for longer exposure work.

Not saying I'm fantastic at shooting landscapes but at least I enjoy trying.

[@imagesBV]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Yes if going out to take proper landscapes....for accurate focus using Live-view and to control DoF properly and to use filters.
However this is a rare occurrence for me....most of my landscapes are casual shots when travelling and none of the above then applies.

[Iron Man]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Yes, usually always a tripod for landscapes. I have, like others, got by without one, but that's usually more for record shots of locations I'd like to go back to.

However, I see no problem with hand holding a shot if the conditions allow the use of a "reasonable" shutter speed and appropriate aperture, with not too high an ISO.

[John Liddle]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

They are a faff to carry round, so I generally don't.

However, there are times when they are essential - remote-controlled wildlife shooting - long exposure (think Northern lights, fireworks or waiting for a lightning strike etc.) - focus stacks - "product" type photos.

I find for most HDR or "to be stitched" panorama shots, hand held is OK.

[rcarca]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

I rarely use one. Mainly because of the weight and general nuisance factor. I only use one when I decide very purposefully that I am looking for a twilight/night shot and want a slow shutter speed. I am not overly fazed by using my 5Diii at ISO6400, although I recognise that a lower ISO can produce better results.

[Wayne Els]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

My preference would be to always use a tripod. That said, a lot of my shots are taken on daily dog walks with my wife so often I go handheld simply for the practicality of it and wedded bliss.
If I'm out on my own then they are usually on a tripod.

[Tigger]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

I only use a tripod if light or shutter speed is an issue

[Parsen66]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Mostly handheld but having recently invested in a cheap carbon travel tripod I find I take it out with me more and more. If I only had my pucker tripod I probably wouldn't bother unless doing LE or shooting in low light

[Woolley]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Mostly no, because landscapes are mostly something I do on holiday when I only have a lightweight travel tripod with me and I mostly don't take it out with me for the day unless I know I'm planning to use it.

It's more likely to be used if the place I'm staying has worthwhile subjects in which case I'll make a special outing to do it properly.

[mikep]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Sometimes, but rarely.

IS is good enough in most cases, but long exposure shots (milky water etc.), or tricky 'down at ground level' shots need a tripod.

Even a good quality CF tripod weighs a bit, so I sometimes just take a travel tripod (Manfrotto BeFree), which is much lighter.

[Robert Scott]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

Many thanks for all the feedback.

We plan to publish a representative selection of your views in the January-March 2017 issue of EOS magazine.

[H2OJunkie]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

I always use a tripod for absolute sharpness.

[Alun100]

Re: Do you use a tripod for landscapes?

If I'm going out specifically for a landscape I will take my tripod. Especially for slow exposures and possibly waiting for change in events