You’ve probably seen photographers using tripods as they frame a beautiful sunset, stand in a blizzard, or simply set up a family portrait. But excess camera equipment can be bulky to carry around, and expensive to buy. So do you really need a tripod? The answer is yes, a tripod is worth the investment if you plan to regularly shoot the following situations…

Low-Light Photography

Taking a picture of a city at night? A sunset? Sunrise? The moon? In low-light situations, camera photos will get gradually darker. In attempts to give you better lit photos, automatic cameras will reduce shutter speed to try to gather more light. But that reduced shutter speed also leaves time for your camera to twitch while the shutter is still open–blurring your photographs.

To get high quality, low light photos, you’ll need a tripod so that your camera can stay stable while the sensor gathers enough light to take a stunning photo.

Nature Photos

Waiting in nature for a long time to get the perfect lighting, or photos of wildlife? A tripod can be a very helpful tool, allowing you to have your camera set up and ready to go no matter how much time passes.

Macro Photography and Zoom

The closer you are to a subject, or the more you have to zoom, the more crucial it becomes not to twitch and risk the image blurring out details. A tripod allows you to get fine subject details while reducing camera blur and noise.

Professional Photo Enlargements

Shooting photography professionally? If your photos are going to end up enlarged on canvas, in advertisements, or even as a print to be framed, you’ll want those details to be crisp and clear, which means using a tripod when taking the photo in the first place. Without one, pictures that at first look clear at a smaller size may appear blurry when enlarged.

Heavy Gear

Have a long lens or other gear that’s heavy and bulky? A tripod will help you get a steady photo and give your aching arms a rest!

Timed Shots

Taking a group shot of your family, and want to be included? Keeping your camera stable on a tripod while you run to jump in the image can be very helpful, providing stability and safety for your camera (just don’t trip on the spindly legs!) Learn how to correctly set up your tripod here.

What do you use a tripod for?