An introduction to tripods

Tripods are used in photography, videography (sometimes called video making) and film making, and their purpose is to provide a stable platform for the camera or camcorder that is being used by the photographer, videographer or film maker during shooting.
A stable platform which will prevent the camera or video camera from moving is essential in certain conditions, otherwise what is called ‘camera shake’ might result. Camera shake is when the camera or camcorder has been shaken for some reason.
In photography, camera shake can produce a photograph which is ‘blurred’, ie. which seems to be out of focus. In videography, camera shake can produce video footage which is jerky, ie. which isn’t smooth and flowing.
Types of tripod
Tripods range from mini tripods ( sometimes called table top tripods,) to light weight tripods, to medium weight tripods, to studio tripods.
They are all useful, but they mostly useful in certain situations. In some situations it’s better to have a mini tripod and some situations it’s better to have a full size tripod. In some situations it’s better to have a lightweight full sized tripod and some situations it’s better to have a medium weight full sized tripod.
Tripod heads
Tripods basically consist of three legs and a piece of equipment at the top of these legs which the camera or camcorder is fitted into. This piece of equipment is called the ‘head’ of the tripod. It can be a fixed part of the tripod that is impossible to remove, or it can be a separate part of the tripod, that can be removed.
Types of tripod heads
Tripod heads can be non-fluid, or ‘fluid’. The word fluid describes the movement of the head, the way that it can be moved. A fluid head can be moved in a very smooth flowing way, there is no jerkiness.