buy a tripod

• check the camera setting to see if you can either decrease the shutter speed, increase the ISO setting, increase the aperture setting ( a smaller number )
• find something solid to rest the camera against like a lamp post, wall or similar. Not against some ones shoulder
• buy a monopod or a tripod

Secondly, and regarded as more importantly by many professional photographers, particularly of the Landscape photography persuasion, approaching your subject with a tripod allows you to place your camera, contemplate its position in relation to the vista in front of you consider the exposure, whether to use a graduated filter etc etc, and be ready to capture that magical moment when the light is right, and no other member of the human race can be seen roaming accross your viewfinder. Using your tripod also opens up the oportunity to use aperture and shutter speed settings which may be beyond a hand held attempt. If you would like to take photos of twilights and early morning sunrises, you will almost certainly need a tripod ( not a monopod ). The image below could not have been captured without a tripod, the setting were f16 at 25 sec at 400 iso.

 

A tripod is almost a necessity for Macro photography, where the magnification of the lens is so great, the slightest movement will result in a blured photo. So even with a compact camera, if you want to capture high quality, sharp, close up photos of flowers, you will almost certainly need a tripod of some description. The image below is  an example of close up or macro photography.


Some famous names in tripods -



Camera supports which include tripods and monopods come in a variety of sizes and weights. They can be made from plastic, aluminium, carbon fibre and goodness knows what else.

Tripods range in price from £20 to several hundred pounds, so what should you look for ?

Legs are normally telescopic in sections, more sections may mean a smaller more compact tripod when closed. Check the height of the tripod fully open, ( its operating height ) and its closed height ( how easy to carry round ) also make sure the legs are thick enough to remain rigid at full extension. It is useful to be able to splay out the legs for uneven ground, some tripods have a button at the top of each leg to allow it to be adjusted to several different angles, it is even possible to adjust the tripod to almost completely flat which is great for flowers etc. Legs are most often made from aluminium or carbon fibre which is the lightest option, but also more expensive to buy.

Tripod heads are often included on a tripod, this is an important consideration as this is how the camera is connected to the tripod and how it is smoothly adjusted to the angle you need. Their are two types of head, the Ball and Socket and the Pan and Tilt, and it is personal choice which you find easier, though those using heavier equipment may find a Pan and Tilt head easier to fine tune a position. Some tripod heads also have a quick release plate which scews into the tripod thread on your digital camera ( make sure it has one ) and simply clips to the head when required.


Quick Release Plates -
If you see a tripod head that you like but it does not have a quick release plate as standard take a look at a device like the Manfrotto MN323 Rectangular Quick Release Plate, which screws onto the top of the tripod head and the detatchable plate to the boittom of the camera.

Monopods - Monopods are a great alternative to tripods where ultimate stability is not essential. They are also lighter, smaller, quicker to use and generally cheaper than tripods. There are occasions when you may find using a monopod easier than a tripod.
Tripods - If you fancy taking photos in very low light, or you need to take a photograph using a very slow shutter speed, then a tripod should be on your wish list. Tripods come in a variety of sizes from table top chapies to enormous beasties to carry professional video equipment. So check out sizes particularly if you want to travel abroad with your tripod, it is possible to find "travel tripods" often made from carbon fibre legs to save weight. Check to see if a tripod head is included in the price and the size stated, else you will end up with tripod that is not only bigger than you expected, as a head may be 8 to 10cm or more, but it may be more expensive, tripod heads can cost more than the tripod itself.
Gorillapod - A unique solution to mobile camera support this device can be wrapped around a post or any manner of things.
Bean Bag - One of the oldest methods of supporting a camera and still very effective but you cant support the camera in the middle of a field at various heights.