The Tripod Hack for Lower Perspectives
David JohnstonDescription
You’re a dedicated outdoor photographer, and you’ve learned that the tripod is your best friend. However, when it comes to intricate macro shots requiring you to go low to the ground, the tripod isn’t too friendly. What you might need is the tripod hack. In this video lesson, Outdoor Photography Guide’s professional nature photographer David Johnston helps you improve your macro photographs with the tripod hack.
David takes you to the forest floor for instruction on using the tripod hack when shooting small scene images like ferns, leaves and ground flowers. When going that low, the problem with tripods is the center column. It prevents you from getting close enough to the ground for that intimate shot. As David points out, background is an important element in macro photography, the main subject ideally popping out in the frame. In other words, the contrast difference created by focal length.
Enter the tripod hack. David demonstrates this method. Flip your tripod upside down so that the tripod head is now close to the ground. When you clamp the camera to the head, the camera is positioned upside down. Now you have the low perspective that lets you achieve contrast between your subject and the background. This is the tripod hack.
But wait a second. Now you are photographing your subject upside down, and that may look weird. How do you solve this problem? Simple. In post processing, you rotate your file image so that it’s right side up, and then you do the retouching.
Follow along in this quick video lesson, where Outdoor Photography Guide’s professional nature photographer David Johnston takes you down to the forest floor and shares his fast and easy hack to help you improve your macro images with the tripod hack.
Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.
Already a member? Sign in
4 Responses to “The Tripod Hack for Lower Perspectives”
Premium Membership
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Photography Videos, Tips, and Techniques
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos and Guides
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the Outdoor Photography Guide Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Photography Videos, Tips, and Techniques
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos and Guides
- 2 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the Outdoor Photography Guide Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
Gold Membership
$463 Value
Get everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Photography Videos, Tips, and Techniques
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos and Guides
- 8 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 2 Full-Length Photography Classes to Keep for Life
- "How to Shoot Creatively" Educational Track
- Discounts on Purchase-to-Own Content in the Outdoor Photography Guide Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
- Exclusive GOLD LIVE Streaming Events
My tripod doesn't do this, but I carry a GorillaPod which works in these situations.
Great hack. I use it all the time. My Monfroto requires “click” removal of some type of bottom stopper , then slide it in from the downside. It works great, but even my exposure info is upside down on the screen! But it works. Well done.
Not all tripods are capable of this. This is sort of a misleading video.
What tripod are you using