| What
Monopod
by
J. Ramon Palacios
&
Andrik Palacios
tell
a friend about this article
|
On
Monopod Technique
If
tripods
need all the help you can give them to render absolute sharpness
in your images, imagine a monopod with a single leg.
Let's
go down the list of typical recommendations.
| Note
that the camera's viewfinder is at eye level.
I
only mention this relative position between feet and
monopod because I've seen it and its often very wrong
- unless that is the normal position of your feet when
firmly standing.
Any
position that is forced away from how you normally stand
at ease will result in instability; first physically
and later mentally - when you see your blurred pictures. |
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| Normally,
feet are open at an angle of 8 to 12°, even when
standing at attention. If
you also open your legs at ease, even better.
Now
the balls of your feet and the tripod form a perfect
isosceles (two equal sides) triangle. Your legs and
the monopod are turned into a tripod. the left hand
is exerting some pressure down to prevent slipping.
Don't push or pull sideways. |
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Is
this the perfect position? If it works for you, that's
it. But there are possible tilt movements and position
options to accommodate them. |
Some
right-handed shooters may find this relative position
of legs and monopod more comfortable and stable; however,
notice you will need to set the camera at a taller
height so none of your legs need to bend.
This is where the additional monopod height comes
in handy.
The
camera is tilted back to allow for an angle greater
than 90° between the monopod and the lens axis.
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This
is the same as above, but for left-handed shooters.
Again, what is wrong is the camera height, forcing me
to bend the left leg this time.
The
use of a ball head permits a side adjustment, not just
tilt.
I
have added this time another important ingredient for
successful shooting from a monopod: as in handholding,
tuck your elbows into your chest. This prevents side
movement. |
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In
the positions below -shown first for right-handed photographers
and then for left-handed ones- the tripod rests on your
upper thigh for additional support.
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To
be more effective, the leg with the tripod behind the
heel needs to bend a little.
I
have never found this to be stable, but it could work
for you. You can only use this one if you use a ball
head. |
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I
could add some other contortions, but let me show you
the one I find works best for me.
Whenever
there is enough room, move the monopod forward. Lean
and press down on the top of the lens barrel with your
left hand; tuck in your right hand, which is only concerned
with gently pressing down the trigger, not holding the
camera. Stand where you feel you have achieved a perfectly
balanced position. |
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If
you have to tilt downwards, leave the monopod where
it is, take one small step back and you are ready to
again tuck in your arms and shoot.
Breath
in, exhale half way, hold and gently press the shutter
button down. Don't jerk it. |
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Likewise
for shooting upwards.
One step forward, without moving the monopod from its
position, getting as close as possible to it to allow
for elbows tucking to prevent side movement.
This
photo was made one second before I tucked my elbows
in, but considering the accumulated experience of the
photographer who graciously helped me to make this illustration
pictures I think he did alright. |
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| Meet
the photographer -» |
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Summary
| • |
No
matter what you may anticipate in terms of tilt angles,
always set your monopod's height to have the camera's
viewfinder at eye level. One usually don't have
the time in action photography to alter the monopod
height,
whether you are sitting or standing. |
| • |
Practice
all possible relative positions of legs and monopod
tip. First of all for comfort. Shoot some images for
comparison. Stay with the one position yielding the
best results. I'll bet it was in the most comfortable
position for you. |
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Make
certain you have planted well your own legs and they
won't slip, then plant your monopod, if spiked the better.
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| • |
Remember
to always tuck your elbow(s) in. |
| • |
Place
the palm of your hand on top of the barrel of a
long
lens and lean on it, pressing down with the hand
above, where the tripod collar is attached. |
| • |
Add
an eyecup to the camera viewfinder and press it hard
against your skull, creating an additional point of
contact for added stability. |
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For
vertical ("portrait") compositions with a
lens without rotating tripod collar, get an L-bracket.
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If
you have a modern auto body, shoot in CH motor advance
mode and always shoot a rapid sequence of several images.
One will always be better than the rest. |
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If
you can rest your back on a tree (after checking there
are no ants in there) by all means lean on it. |
| • |
When
shooting at a stadium or theater, if you can shoot sitting
down, do. |
| • |
If
when sitting down you can lean your back against a back
rest, do. Keep your shoulders straight and again, tuck
your elbows in. |
| • |
Use
the proven sniper technique to shoot. Breath in, exhale
half way, hold and gently squeeze the shutter trigger
button. Also, breathing in and exhaling slowly will
calm you down, regardless of how exhilarating is the
occasion, the scene and/or your subject. |
| • |
If
you have a VR lens, this is the time to use it to
further
eliminate blur. Just remember to give it a second to
kick in. |
Like
everything, it just needs some repeated good practice.
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