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Just realised I left my tripod at home today, and was planning on doing a fair bit of shoot this afternoon from about 5pm-7pm. I was just wondering what techniques could be employed.

* Shoot handheld and use a fast shutter speed, if need be, bump up the ISO to allow for the fast shutter in low light

* Sit the camera on fixed objects if available, like tables, the ground etc

* Shoot handheld but leaning against a wall, tree etc and keep my elbows in also try to employee sniper breathing techniques (hehe)

* Shoot at f4 to let more light in

Are these viable methods, have a missed any ? Most the stuff I'll be shooting will be 8-15 metres (I think) and outside but in varying degrees of light and shade.

Craig, if it works that when you have it on a table self supported, remember to use your self timer

Craig - being digital just check each shot with the LCD - not a great way to do things but it helps. Also shoot RAW and don’t worry too much about underexposure as you can fix that afterwards in PP.

If you are near a hardware shop, consider buying a broom handle. You'll be able to turn it upside down so the flat side is against the base if the camera. It should only cost a few dollars and could serve as an emergency monopod. It will give you some stability and I'm sure you'll eventually find a use for it at home....

Regards

Tony

Correct me if I'm wrong but these days you don't really need a tripod between 5 and 7 pm

Sunset time is 19:30

Sit it on the ground or flat objects - that works fine.

I used to do most of my night shots when travelling with my PnS that way. I now carry a little tripod with me. Certainly gives a different perspective - night time city shots taken from the height of walls, paving, posts, trees, rubbish bins (only clean ones), and even the ground (small pebble under the front to tilt it skywards a bit).

In fact, here are a few (from my Powershot G2). As you can see, its a different angle, but use it right and it can shed new light on things ...

Hlop wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong but these days you don't really need a tripod between 5 and 7 pm

Sunset time is 19:30

Depends on what sort of shots your taking, if I to decrease my shutter speed, then I need something steadier then my hands


Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'll take it all on board when I head out to shoot.

I've been looking around the office... trying to make a DYI ground pod, I might just have a working idea for one.

Taken on my wife's phone, but here is the best I could do with parts from work. The GroundPod-CD will be available at all leading outlets in the next few weeks, this is the prototype.





Doesn't have auto leveling or even a spirit level, but it may just keep my camera still, and protect it from whatevers on the ground.

You need one of Birddog's bubble levels for your camera.

Bob.

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moggy wrote:You need one of Birddog's bubble levels for your camera.

Bob.

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Your right Bob, I probably should get one of those too

Well my GroundPOD-CD helped me take a few of the shots I was after, now looking at the shots on my the PC they aren't up to the standard I was hoping, and I've got my tripod with me today so no more need for DYI camera support