A tripod is one of the things that can boost your photography instantly.

But new photographers don’t appreciate its value until they get one and use it.

At the same time, owning a tripod doesn’t magically make you a good photographer.

Tripods in a stream

Let’s dive in.

Instead, you have to find the right one based on many factors.

Here aresome great reasons to invest in a good tripod.

Tripod-ball-head

The most important thing to consider is your camera and lens weight.

You don’t want to take chances with your gear worth thousands of dollars.

The tripod should be sturdy enough to hold your camera-lens combo.

Tripod-center-column

you’re able to check the weight limit of the tripod and choose accordingly.

There are other things to consider, too, from the material to the weight of the tripod.

You want strong yet lightweight material.

Tripod-bubble-level

You’ll appreciate it during long hikes.

For studio work, go for a solid aluminum tripod.

it’s crucial that you do some research to identify the best throw in of head for your genre.

Tripod Foot Spike

Each jot down of head has pros and cons, so check carefully.

Choosing the right head for your photography bang out is crucial to get the photos you want.

A ball head is great for landscape photography, though.

Camera Shutter Button

Here are ourpicks for the best inexpensive fluid heads.

But it is not good practice because you’re adding weight to the thinnest part of your tripod.

So, it can make your tripod unstable.

Any slight movement can shake your tripod, leaving you with blurry images.

Extend the thicker top legs first, and your tripod will be comparatively sturdier.

If it is possible, avoid expanding the lower legs at all.

Also, when shortening your tripod’s height, start with the lower legs first.

This may not make your back happy, but your images will be super sharp.

When you extend it fully, it essentially becomes a monopod that is atop a tripod.

So, should you just forget that there is a center column?

Don’t raise it more than halfwayyour camera and photos will be safe and secure.

check that to peek if it is aligned in the center.

This step is especially important if the surface is uneven or rocky.

Many novice tripod users often overlook this feature.

Always double-find out if all the knobs are tight and the levers are in position.

The same goes for attaching the head.

Again, you want it to sit tight on the tripod.

Be especially careful with ball heads.

If the ball head is loose, your camera can tilt quickly and crash the whole setup.

Unfortunately, foot spikes are often one of these forgotten accessories.

As the name suggests, foot spikes have spikes that can provide more traction than your default tripod legs.

Are you planning to shoot on rough or loose surfaces like ice or sand?

Shooting with foot spikes can make a night and day difference.

Your tripod will be more secure, and your photos will be crisp.

Not Counterbalancing

Your tripod likely has a hook under its legs for counterbalancing.

When you add some weight to it, it acts as a counterweight to balance your tripod.

You don’t have to give it a thought for most studio shots.

A sudden gust of wind is all it takes to bring your setup crashing down.

Plus, having a steady setup will give you clear images.

If your tripod has a 90-degree center column, you need counterweights to balance the tripod.

When the arm is extended at a right angle, the weight of your camera can topple it.

Just see to it your bag is heavy enough to balance the weight.

You will introduce a camera shake if you press the shutter button on your camera.

Many new photographers overlook this fact when using a tripod.

Shutter releases are inexpensive accessories, and you could buy them online.

If you don’t have one yet, use your camera’s self-timer mode.

So before investing in one, understand your photography punch in and your needs.

Generally, we use a tripod to avoid camera shake when shooting with a slow shutter speed.

Using the wrong tripod or misusing it is as good as not having one at all.

Learning the common mistakes will help you avoid them and take your photos to the next level.