Do you need a tripod?

Only if you want to photograph things in low light. Fireworks, sunsets and the Aurora Borealis come to mind. Anytime you want to take a photograph where your shutter speed would be so slow that the photo would come out blurry, a tripod can help. A tripod system consists of the actual tripod and the head. That's the part you attach the camera to. Some tripod systems come with both. The higher-end models usually don’t. When you buy a tripod and a head, make sure that they are in the same class. By that I mean, it would be foolish to put a really nice head on a cheesy tripod, or vice versa. Tripods can be made out of 3 different materials: steel, aluminum or carbon fiber. Steel tripods are affordable and sturdy, but heavier. Aluminum tripods are affordable and lightweight, but flex a little. Carbon fiber tripods are lightweight and sturdy, but cost more. Essentially you get to choose from lightness, stiffness and affordability. Pick two. But wait, there’s more. Tripods collapse to make them more portable. Most tripods consist of either 3 or 4 segments. Segments attach to each other via some type of knuckle. While different knuckle designs provide different stiffness, generally speaking, the fewer segments your tripod has, the stiffer it will be. The more segments a tripod has, more compactly it will fold together. A word to the wise, though. Tripods usually don’t wear out. If you buy a decent tripod, you’ll only need to buy it once in your life. The most likely reason you’d need to buy another one would be if you did buy to poor a quality, initially.

To get the most out of your digital camera and dramatically improve your photos, you need to understand only 3 things: 1) How to not trip over your camera equipment. 2) A little bit about composition and subject placement. 3) What to do with the digital images on the computer. We have complete classes and courses for each of those and can help you reach the level of photography you are hoping for. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call us at 603.673.8200. We’d love to hear from you. Make sure you check out our web site for upcoming photography classes and courses at http://www.nh-photography-classes.com/ All the best, Walt

C1M Photography, LLC ■ 98 State Route 101A ■ Amherst, NH 03031 ■ (603) 673-8200