Hey curvy girls all over the world,
As a fashion blogger, people always ask me who takes my pictures and what type of camera I use.Well, those people will be shocked to know that I use a tripod and Nikon Coolpix S570 90% of the time to take my outfit pictures. Any fashion blogger will tell you how a good camera man or woman is hard to come by. When I first started posting outfit pictures I use to prop my camera up on my dresser or coffee table to take my pictures. Sometimes it worked out well and sometimes it didn’t and resulted in my camera falling numerous times. I decided to stop using household furniture to take my pictures and started relying on my friends, family, and even my coworkers, yes, my coworkers. That worked out for awhile until they all basically got tired of doing it, especially since I wasn’t asking them to be in the pictures along with me. For awhile, I was left wearing cute outfits and no one to take my pictures. I considered hiring a Freelance Cameraman to take some video content for me, but I decided to take matters into my own hands.
I became fed up and tired of begging and pleading for someone to please take my picture and decided to get a tripod. I had in my mind that I would just go to J&R by City Hall and find me a $20 tripod and that would be it. Uh, no! To my surprise, there were quite a few different types of tripods at a variety of prices. I was clueless as to what kind of tripod to get. Did you know that there are tripods that can cost up to $500, there is such a thing called a monopod, and how many legs do a tripod have (like 3,4,5, or more than that)? I didn’t! Obviously, those are for professional (emphasis on Pro) camera men/women. For a beginner like me, I just wanted something simple.
After looking through tripods that could handle various camera weights and different weather conditions I settled on the Davis & Sanford Travlr tripod. It was able to hold the weight of my small Nikon Coolpix S570, it had adjustable legs so I could take pictures at different height levels, and most importantly it offered a 3-way head pan which allowed me to rotate the camera in different directions. It met all my outfit post needs.
When I first started using the tripod, it felt kind of awkward. I am literally in the middle of the streets of NYC trying to take pictures of myself. People would walk by and ask, are you model?, what are you taking pictures for?, do you want me to help you? Others would just stop and stare and sometimes silly boys would try to jump in my pictures. Only in NYC.
After I got used to the crazy questions, I started seeking out spots where there weren’t alot of people and if I did run into a few nosy folks, I would just give them my card and say checkout my blog. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little self promotion.
To my surprise, I found that using a tripod allowed me to take better quality pictures by
-Reducing camera shake
-Allow use of slower shutter speeds
-Offered room for creative shots
I have a simplistic tripod so it’s easier for me to use. For those who are more into photography, there are more advanced tripods. These are just tips from my experience. If you know more by all means feel free to comment on this post.
What To Look For In A Tripod
Weight Control
It’s important to have a tripod that can handle the weight of your camera. If your camera is too heavy, then you risk the tripod falling over with your camera on it. If you plan on using your tripod in windy conditions, one that is too light can also be knocked down by the wind. So, make sure you pay attention to how much camera weight the tripod can handle.
3-Way Fluid Head
This allows you to maneuver the camera around the tripod and take different types of shots.
2-Way Tilt Pan
The 2-way tilt pan allows you turn the camera sideways while on the tripod. You can take a long full body shot or tilt the camera for an angular shot or to block too much glare from the sunlight.
A Tripod Bag
Most tripods come with a bag, but some don’t. This is helpful if you want to travel with your tripod and to keep it scratch free.
There is so much more to explain about tripods, so I will save that for another post as I am still learning about them myself. However, I promise you the tripod is freedom from those mean looks that friends and family give when you ask them to take your picture. I still long for a time when I can afford a photographer like some of the other top bloggers, but until then, my tripod is just fine.
I’ve taken my tripod on interviews and though it still feels a bit weird and to be honest a little low budget, I still use it. People do laugh when they see me pull out my little 2 pound camera and set it on the tripod but, it gets the job done.
These are the bells and whistles of my tripod and how I use them
These are the 3 different levels my tripod can change to:
Below are a few of my favorite outfit shots using all three height levels of the tripod
This is probably my absolute favorite shot with my tripod. My tripod has 3 height levels and to get this shot with me sitting down, I had to put it on the second level and zoom in my camera
Outfit Post: Flower Girl
This was such a well written and helpful post!
I definitely have to invest in a tripod and you’ve helped me out tremendously!
I put my camera on the trunk of my car and set the timer for my pics.
a new camera and a tripod is something I am looking to buy myself! Glad you wrote this, very helpful
xoxo
I subscribe to your blog and thought you had a professional photographer working with you. Your photos are always great (so are your outfits). Excellent work!
-Cassaundra Bourne
Cassaundra’s Custom Dresses
Thank you so much for this post. I am in the market for a new camera and tripod so this was great since I’ve never had one and don’t know where to begin! =o)
Wow… I will definately be getting one now… thanks for the great advice 🙂
Really enjoyed this post as well, was thinking of getting a camera and tripod but I already have a camera,will invest in a good tripod. I felt the same way,I had so many cute outfits but no one to take my pics.
http://Www.yveevymistyle.blogspot.com
such a helpful post!!!!!
http://www.style4curves.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for this post! Its official that I need a tripod now. Thanks for sharing. I have resorted to some crazy methods for taking pictures when I don’t have a photographer.
7eventh Letter
http://www.whatsmoreimportantthanfashion.com/
Your post was very helpful. I might just be investing in me one too because I have the issue of people looking at me sideways if they are not included in the picture.
plussizesouthernlady.blogspot.com
THANK YOU for this post!
Very helpful!!! Oh and I love the last pic with the polka dots btw…very cute;)
Much love,
Tiff
http://www.posenplayphotography.com/apps/blog
Thank you so much for this post, it helped so much. I am in desperate need of a tripod. I don’t post outfits as much as I’d like because my son and co-workers are very tired of taking my pictures lol. My son always submits though as he is a budding little photographer 🙂
hey sweetie pie! your photos always look so gorgeous, I’m glad you shared this with us. I’m using a Canon Rebel T3 and I initially purchased a tripod with it but I found that it was too flimsy for the weight of my camera so i returned it. I do admit that I really need some because like you said, I’m sick of asking for people to take my photo. The worst is when you’re out by yourself and you don’t want to ask a stranger because no self-respecting stranger is gonna hold still while you are like “no, try it again, i don’t like that one.” lol. I want to find a tripod tall enough because I find that all of my shots are better when I shoot from above.
This is such a helpful post!
I always thought you had a really good photographer who takes your pictures, it’s hard to believe that you can get such amazing shots with a tripod!
Thanks for your advice.
So glad you all like this post. It took me like two days to write it. It is very frustrating and annoying whenyou can’t get anyone to take your pictures.
Just note that some tripods are very light and shouldbe handled with care for hte safety of your camera.
Wow I was just saying to myself, all I want for Christmas is a tripod. Great post girl, Kudos to you and Happy Holidays!!!!
Shanae
aka Loveynae
Good work with the tripod. I always bring one too with me because I love traveling alone with my camera. It is very useful in taking photos of myself without bothering anybody else.
These are great tips and tutorials about the proper use of tripod. Not everybody knows how to use it. I also love traveling. In line with that passion, taking pictures is a hobby as well. I always use my tripod whenever I take some photos including myself.
Wedding Photography
Honestly, I find using tripod quite tedious. I have a DSLR camera which I bought at the camera shop in Australia last month which comes with a free tripod. With these tutorials and tips, I think it’s time to learn how to use it.
My bf just got me one for christmas i know exzactly how u feel everyone is annoyed of taking my pics n i make them retake them untill i find the perfect shot lol i cannot wait to use mine !!! Thanks for ur post very inspiring :). -a relateable fashionista