Tripods and Monopods

I have to steal a quote here from Theresa over on 2 Peas for this post

"When it comes to tripods, buy cheap, buy twice."


Inexpensive tripods typically have lots of plastic. As I am sure you are aware Plastic breaks easily. If you take it out in cold weather and it can become very brittle and cold doesn't mean below freezing. Plastic also has some Give to it so stability is a little lacking. My first cheap tripod had a handle snap right off in cooler weather. Also cheaper tripods can have a wobble to them and do you really want something with your precious camera on top to be all wobbly? No, I didn't thunk so. Monopods can take a real beating and get dropped often when not in use and get banged around. I have seen cheap ones shatter. (OUCH)

I personally own Bogen/Manfrotto. B&H has some great kit deals, you can get a decent setup for under $200. I have the carrying strap, and that is all I need, I can't see the need for a carrying bag. there are all sorts of options out there and my recommendation is buy the best you can afford so you don't put your camera at risk, or end up with a tripod graveyard.


It all boils down to the amount of stability that you need. So study and find a sturdy and well made tripod or monopod. Look for poundage ratings, you want oknow how much it holds. & how tall it can extend.

As for when you want to use a tripod and when you want a monopod that really depends on what and where you are shooting. Tripods are used more often then monopods but both have their advantages. I am currently without a monopod but looking to add one to my collection again. Monopods are great for that extra stability in places where you are not allowed to use a tripod like museums, sporting events and a lot of tourist attractions.

Camera Straps

As more and more people are branching out into the world of DSLR usage there has been an increased desire for not only a more comfortable camera straps but for ones that are more fun. Some people even have several to match different outfits, their camera bags, their moods, or for certain events they are attending.

I have so far only purchased one new camera strap(however I am sure there are more in my future) and I went with this cute example which I purchased from the etsy shop of Kristie Denton




There are also some others that make camera straps on etsy so do a search on the words camera strap and see what pops up.


Now for those that feel they are not ready to branch out into the fun and funky looks and just want comfort places like B&H or Amazon (among others) have a ton to choose from.
A very popular brand for comfort is Op/Tech.


Of course there are those that are more crafty and creative than others and will simply make their own and I applaud those people. Make it fun, make it funky, but most of all make it comfy and functional….

**Edit in December 2008**

I am up to 3 fun camera straps. The person I got my original from is no longer making them but there are lots of others out on Etsy for purchase.

Plexiglass

So you have been hearing about photographers using Plexiglass in their portraits to get some cool reflections and you want to know more about it.

Here are some common questions and a few basic answers

What kind of plexiglass to use?
I don't think it really matters what kind. You can pick it up in a variety of sizes at your local Home depot or Lowes. You can also look for places like a Plastic Supply company. You can also is look into getting a sheet of Lexan, or Polycarbonate, developed by General Electric. Lexan polycarbonate seems to be much more resilient, albeit more expensive. Try for ¼ for durability but keep it stored in a dark place since it can yellow and small cracks form (crazing) after exposure to UV. Avoid placing a large amount of weight in one place or it can crack on you. High heels are the worst.
There are also a few places that sell mirrored plexiglass that has even more reflective qualities.

Does it come in colors and if so which colors should I buy?
I am sure it does come in colors but you are generally just going to find clear, and you can use it over your existing backdrops to make it any color you like. Placing it over a darker backdrop tends to give you better reflections.

How do I keep it clean?
Windex and a soft cloth usually work well but test any cleaning method on a corner to make sure it is not going to add an scratches.

Help I have scratches, do I have to buy a new piece or can it be salvaged?
Use a plastic polish available at most home stores, glass shops, and some hobby shops. If you are in a bind you could also use use car wax liquid; if your scratches are really deep, use paste wax car wax with abrasives from you local auto parts store. Some people have also used lighter fluid for the lighter scratches.

How to shoot best with plexiglass?
Determine what you would like reflected in the plexiglass. The items posed closest to the surface of the plexi will have the sharpest reflection, and the items further away will have a softer more muted reflection. Darker fabrics will have a deeper reflection.
To capture the best shot of the reflection, you will need to have a large depth of field. This will allow the entire photograph to stay in focus. Use an aperture of at least 9.0. Shoot down on your subject to capture the reflection with lighting from above and/or behind the camera. Crop in close on your image. The beauty of this technique is in the details. If your image is not cropped close enough the reflection will appear as a blur.

What if I do not have a flash can I use natural light?
You sure can, the reflection tends to be a little less. Just play around with placement.


So there is some tips to get you started. Oh and someof you might pick up soem pieces where the edges feel a little sharp. Some people stick soem clear packing tape around the edges, and I gave mine a light sanding. I am sure if you Google Photography with Plexiglass you will find additional information.

Monitor Calibration

There is lots of talk about the importance of calibrating your monitor so that you can get consistent results when printing your pictures. You want to have your prints match what you are seeing on your screen especially if you are spending a great deal of time doing your post processing you don't want your pictures to come back all wonky because your monitor is not calibrated. However it can be tough to know where to start. So this is a list of some of the more popular products I have come across when looking into this myself.

Pantone Huey
Eye-One
Spyder2 Express - used by a lot of people that use WHCC for printing.

Camera Bags

The quest for the perfect bag is one that many photographers will face. I am still on the search and currently have 5 different bags to prove it. Even after you find one that meets your needs you go and buy more equipment and find you have grown out of your favorite bag before long. I have decided for me there is not one perfect bag for all my needs so I will always have more than one for different occasions.

With more and more women getting into photography the demand for cute or at the very least not quite so ugly camera bags is on the rise. I currently have my eye on the medium Jill-e Bag. I hear they will be coming out with a red bag in the medium size this spring and that may be what pushes me to finally buy one.

For those that are a little more on the creative side they can dress up any bag they find that meets their needs in every way but aesthetically. I am actually in the process of giving my pelican case a face lift.

One really important thing to remember is that you should never sacrifice protection for your gear for a cute bag. You have spent a lot of money for your photography gear so make sure you will get a bag that will protect it.

There are two makers of camera bags that have very similar names. Tracy Joy and Tracy Renae. Keep in mind they are in fact different companies. From what I hear the Tracy Joy bags are super cute but not very well padded, and the Tracy Renae bags are also very cute but have better padding. Although not quite as cute the Crumpler bags are really popular, but not everyone finds them comfortable to carry. I recommend trying out a bag in person before buying it if at all possible.

As you start your quest for the perfect camera bag or bags as the case may be decide what features are most important to you. Do you want a backpack for ease of carrying, do you have so much stuff you need a bag with wheels, do you want one that a laptop will fit in, does it need to fit under the seat on a airplane, or do you need quick and easy access to your gear? These are just a few things to consider.

Getting a camera bag is really about personal preference. It needs to be comfortable to carry, hold the gear you want to carry around, and fit your personal style. Do your homework and share with others your success in finding your perfect bag.

Here are a few of the more popular brands to look into in additon to what has already been mentioned.
Tamrac
Lowepro
Domke
Tenba
Pelican - these are not your everyday cases

Please feel free to share what bag(s) you own and how you feel about them in the comment section for others to learn from.