http://www.paulgoochimages.org Photography articles and photos by a professional Skegness, Lincolnshire, photographer Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:05:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 Personal injury photography can be described as taking photographs of a personal injury for a person who has suffered from a personal injury, so that this person can use the photos. as evidence of their injury. A good personal injury photographer will look at the injury and discuss it with the victim before taking the photographs. In my experience this is the only way of discovering what should actually be in the photograph. This photo. of a personal injury, which was taken at my Skegness photography studio, explains this. It's a photograph of a lady's leg, but it isn't a picture of what might be described as the 'main' injury, it's a picture of what might be described as a secondary injury, an injury which is secondary to the main injury. The main injury is a scar on her leg, which is the result of a deep wound. Obviously, I took photographs of this scar, from various angles. However, because we had discussed her personal injury before I took any photos., and because she mentioned that she had a depression or indentation on her leg as a result of the main injury, I decided to take pictures of this depression, as well. The depression, on the furthest leg, is the secondary injury that I mentioned. It might not seem to be a very significant injury, but you have to look at it from the victim's point of view. A woman's legs are very important to her. Abnormalities like this - and scars of course, concern them. [caption id="attachment_977" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Personal injury depression on leg"][/caption] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/personal-injury-photography-techniques/ This conceptual stock photo of a United States dollar stuck with surgical tape could convey two very different views of the United States. It could convey a hostile, negative, unsympathetic attitude towards America or it could evoke a friendly, positive, admiring attitude towards America, although it would demand a certain amount of vision, or the ability to 'think out of the box,' to take this view. [caption id="attachment_951" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dollar bill wrapped in surgical tape"][/caption] A negative view of America in the current financial crisis, as portrayed in conceptual stock photography How can it be viewed in these two very different ways? Well, the surgical tape represents a medical situation, an emergency medical situation. When it is stuck to a United States dollar it perhaps suggests that the United States - represented by the dollar - is in an emergency medical situation, that it is in such a financial crisis that it has to be 'patched up' with surgical tape. A more positive view of America and foreign aid, as portrayed in conceptual stock photography Let's balance this negative view of America by taking a more positive view. Let's 'think out of the box' and look at the photo in a completely different way. Let's look at it in the following way. The surgical tape that is stuck to the United States dollar doesn't suggest that the American economy as represented by the dollar is an emergency medical situation. It suggests that the surgical tape is sticking the dollar to an object, instead. What is surgical tape usually stuck to? It is usually stuck to surgical dressings, wound dressings. What are these wound or surgical dressings usually applied to? They are (obviously) usually applied to a wound, to a cut or deep abrasion. In other words, they are usually applied to something that is hurt. Ok, let's suggest that the dollar is a wound dressing, a surgical dressing, and that the surgical tape will be used to stick it to a hurt. What hurts does America stick dollars to? Quite a few things. Poorly-financed, friendly foreign intelligence agencies springs to mind. However, America also sticks dollars to other causes, and they include entire foreign economies that have been hurt, not just poorly- financed friendly foreign intelligence agencies. And of course, it usually sticks dollars to these economies in the form of foreign aid, and this foreign aid is invariably in the form of United States dollars. This post is a continuation of the post life cycle of a stock photo part 2. [1] [1] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/life-cycle-of-a-stock-photo-part-2/ http://www.paulgoochimages.org/life-cycle-of-a-stock-photo-part-3/ This post looks at the advantages and disadvantages of taking a 'conceptual' stock photo rather than a 'typical' or 'real-life' stock photo. It's a continuation of my previous post  'life cycle of a stock photo [1]' in which I published a photograph of a dollar bill stuck with surgical tape to represent the world financial crisis. A typical real-life stock photo of the financial crisis is a photograph of a stockbroker or share dealer looking at a computer screen which displays a graph or lines of figures which are declining. The problem with a typical stock photo is, it's typical - there are probably thousands more photographs like it out there. Because of this, there is more competition for your photograph of a share dealer looking at a computer screen (assuming that you took one); there is less likelihood of it being used by a stock photography agency. At least, this was my reasoning when I created my photo. Another part of my reasoning was, surely it's more satisfying to create a kind of image that as far as I'm aware hasn't been created before. So really, my photograph is a concept, it's how I conceived the financial crisis, rather than a real life photograph of the financial crisis, as represented by a share dealer looking at a computer screen . This kind of stock photography, which portrays a concept rather than a real-life situation, is often called 'conceptual stock photography,' although definitions of 'conceptual' sometimes vary. The intriguing question is, which kind of photograph is more likely to sell - the real life stock photo or the conceptual stock photo? It might be worthwhile researching this, or at least trying to research it, maybe by asking other stock photographers on the various photography forums. I have an opinion about it, but it's always preferable to get several opinions. Whatever the general verdict might be, even if your conceptual stock photo doesn't sell, at least you will have the satisfaction of having created something that is unique, that is an expression of yourself. This post is continued in life cycle of a stock photo part 3 [2] [1] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/life-cycle-of-a-stock-photo/ [2] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/life-cycle-of-a-stock-photo-part-3/ http://www.paulgoochimages.org/life-cycle-of-a-stock-photo-part-2/ For me the life cycle of a stock photo begins with a basic idea or basic fact. I first take a photograph which captures an aspect of this basic idea or fact, such as this photo of a dollar bill stuck with surgical tape, which captures an aspect of the basic fact that the world is in financial crisis. One aspect of the world's financial crisis that some of the world's leading currencies require emergency attention, and the surgical tape represents this emergency attention. The dollar was chosen because it is the world's leading currency rather than because the United States is in financial crisis. Other countries are also in financial crisis, but their currencies are not as easily recognisable as the United States dollar. I could quite easily expand on this basic idea; I could create other images which are more interesting, more subtle and more visually appealing. [caption id="attachment_951" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dollar bill wrapped in surgical tape"][/caption] But for now this basic image is sufficient for my purposes. It's a starting point, a reminder; it reminds me of the idea and reminds me that the idea can be developed at some future point. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/life-cycle-of-a-stock-photo/ This article introduces the role of photographers in personal injury claims, more specifically at the role that they play when they take photographs of personal injuries for people who are suffering from this kind of injury and who have hired a personal injury lawyer or solicitor to pursue their claim. As a freelance photographer with my own photography studio I notice that I am becoming increasingly involved in this branch of photography, a branch of photography which I suppose might be called personal injury photography. This increasing involvement might be due to the increasing frequency  of personal injury claims, to the fact that they are becoming more common. It might be due to the fact that I have acquired a reputation for personal injury photography. This isn't as bizarre as it might seem; certain photographers acquire a reputation for wedding photography or portrait photography so why shouldn't they also acquire a reputation for personal injury photography. There are several aspects - things to consider - in personal injury photography. One aspect is the technical aspect, in the kind of studio lighting and photography backgrounds that are used, for example. Another is the relationship between the photographer and the victim - the person who has suffered from the personal injury. Another is the legal aspect, because perhaps surprisingly, personal injury photography involves an awareness of how personal injury claims are pursued in court. Finally, there is a financial aspect to personal injury photography, to how much to charge for it. However, this article is just an introduction, it's just intended to make other photographers and perhaps college students and students at schools of photography aware that there is a branch of photography called personal injury photography. The article - and future articles - might might also be of interest to personal injury solicitors and lawyers who hire or are considering hiring a photographer to help them pursue personal injury claims on behalf of their clients. Finally, the fact that there is a branch of photography called personal injury photography might be interesting on a sociological level. Is it a reflection of modern society, does it mean that modern society is obsessed with personal injury claims? http://www.paulgoochimages.org/an-introduction-to-personal-injury-photography/ This article tries to help resolve the conflict between some photographers, who want to be free to take photographs of major strategic buildings, and the police and security agencies, who are concerned that some of these photographers might be  terrorists who are taking photos. of these buildings in preparation for a terrorist attack. Few if any genuine photographers are interested in taking photographs of the entrances to major strategic buildings and the means of escape from these buildings. The entrances to most major strategic buildings are of no interest to genuine photographers. It's the same situation with the means of escape from these buildings - the fire escape. Usually, fire escapes are of no interest to genuine photographers. The reason for this is simple - generally speaking, they are not interesting enough. To justify a photograph, the entrance to a major strategic building would have to have some really unusual features. Even if it did have some unusual features, some photographers would not bother to take a picture of it except under certain conditions. Typically, these conditions might be a certain time of day when the entrance is illuminated by the sun in a certain way, or when it is half in shadow. It's difficult to understand how the fire escape from a major strategic building can justify a photograph. Again, it would have to have some really unusual features. In reality, fire escapes hardly ever have any unusual features, so few if any genuine photographers would bother to take photographs of them. In any conditions, even if they were illuminated by the sun in a certain way or if they were half in shadow. Genuine photographers often like to take pictures of the complete major strategic building, including the entrance to the building (but usually this is only possible if they have a very wide angle lens or a fisheye lens fitted on their camera.) If you are a genuine photographer, be aware of the security concerns. If there is no reason to take photographs of the entrances  to major public buildings, or the means of escape from these buildings - and there isn't usually any reason to do so, avoid taking pictures of them. Hopefully this article will help the police and security agencies identify genuine photographers, and hopefully it will also help genuine photographers avoid any problems. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/photography-and-the-fear-of-terrorist-attacks/ The photos in the 50th. birthday party photo album [1] have an attractive background which was arranged by the woman who was celebrating her 50th. birthday for use as a photography background. This is a pretty good birthday party idea, and it also helps the photographer, because all of the photographs can be taken with an attractive background. Relevant prop in the photography background The birthday cake, placed on a table in front of the background, is a very relevant 'prop', and it was a good idea to include this in the background. 'Backup' photography background She also arranged the background in front of an attractive curtain, so if anyone moved out of the 'official' background, and if the photographer didn't re-arrange them so that they were in the official background, it would still be a pleasant scene. 'Intrusive' prop in the photography background Maybe the audio speaker is a little intrusive, but it was impossible to move it, and impossible to move the background away from it. On second thoughts maybe it isn't intrusive, maybe it's relevant, because it was part of the sound system and along with several other speakers was used to play the music at the party. [1] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/50th-birthday-party http://www.paulgoochimages.org/50th-birthday-party-background-idea/ Although video editing software is fairly affordable, if you're on a tight budget you have  to be pretty sure that you are buying the program that is right for you, you have to get it right the first time. One factor that will or should influence your choice of video editing software is whether you plan to shoot and edit your videos or films in HD (high definition) mode or in SD (standard definition) mode. Some video editing programs can edit HD videos and some can't. If you plan to shoot in SD, if you're absolutely certain that you will never want to upgrade to HD, then it's possible to save money by buying a program that can only edit in SD. You might not save a lot of money, but you should save some money. Why would you want to shoot in SD when you can shoot in HD? There are several reasons for this: one reason is, HD camcorders cost more than SD camcorders, and you might not want to pay this extra cost. Another reason is, you might feel that you don't need HD. Let's face it, HD is nice to look at but it isn't essential (I remember taking this attitude towards a girlfriend, a few years ago.) The final reason is, video editing in HD is more demanding than video editing in SD. For now, I won't explain in what way it is more demanding, instead I'll just re-iterate that if you are absolutely certain that you will only want to shoot and edit in SD, you can save a certain amount of money by buying a video editing program that can only edit in SD. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/budget-video-editing-software/ This photo of a 100 year old semi-blind old lady communicating with a relative by touch could be wrongly interpreted. The way they communicate with each other is, he touches her hands with his face, and in this way she knows that it is him. He is her grandson - in fact she has several grandsons. But for some reason she knows that it is him - that it is this grandson, despite the fact that in theory it could be any one of her grandsons. His expression could perhaps be interpreted as cunning, but in reality, he isn't being cunning at all. There are a couple of things that might give this impression. One is, the angle of his face in relation to the old lady's face. He has had to lower his face to her hands, so that he can communicate with her. Simultaneously, he feels that it is necessary to look up at her face. Or rather, try to look up at her face. He can't do this, it's physically impossible. He can't touch her hands with his face and simultaneously raise his face to her face. So he raises his eyes to her face, instead, and this is what makes him seem cunning. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/old-lady-communications-system/ This photo of a Manfrotto 718B tripod is an overhead view which shows how a camera, camcorder or video camera is fitted to the tripod. It's fitted to the 'plate,' the strange-shaped thing with a 'red button' at the top, and the plate is then placed inside a compartment which is the same shape as the plate. The plate is made from a plastic type material, unlike other the plates on other Manfrotto tripods, which are made of metal. This is probably to help reduce the weight of the tripod, which is a lightweight tripod that seems to be aimed at the travel photographer. The plate has two components. One is the 'red button', which is actually a locating pin and is used to locate the camera, camcorder or video camera on the plate. The other is the screw below the locating pin, which is screwed into the base of the camera, camcorder or video camera. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/manfrotto-718b-tripod-overhead-view/ Cameras and camcorders are fitted to the Slik 88 tripod head in a different way to the way they are fitted to many other tripods. First, a kind of 'threaded bush' is screwed into the base of the camera or camcorder. Then, the camera or camcorder, with the threaded bush screwed into it, is fitted to the tripod head. One disadvantage of this system is, the threaded bush is so small that it's easy to lose it. It has a tendency to work loose over a period of time and fall off the camera or camcorder. There are a couple of solutions to this. One solution is to make sure that you remove the threaded bush after you have finished using the tripod. Stash it somewhere in your camera bag or camera rucksack where it can't be lost. Another solution is to glue the threaded bush into the base of the camera or camcorder. But there are a couple of 'conditions' attached to this idea. Firstly, only use light contact adhesive, don't use any kind of permanent adhesive, otherwise you won't be able to remove the bush from the camera. Secondly, only do this if the camera or camcorder is out of its guarantee, otherwise it might affect the guarantee on the grounds that you have modified the camera or camcorder in some way. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/fitting-a-camera-or-camcorder-to-a-slik-88-tripod-head/ This photo shows a Slik 88 tripod bag and also gives some idea of the dimensions of the tripod. The ruler next to the tripod is one foot (300mm) long, the tripod bag is about twice as long as the ruler so it's about 2 feet (600mm) long. It has a full length strap which slips easily over the shoulder. The quality of the Slik 88 tripod bag is pretty good; it has a strip of material near the top of the bag, which gives it extra strength, and this band also secures the top of the strap. The lower part of the strap is also firmly secured. All good tripod bags have straps which are firmly secured to the bag like this. The inside of the bag is lined with some kind of material; it's soft but tough and hasn't gotten torn during the several years that I have owned it, although the tripod has been taken in and out of it many times. However tough a tripod bag is, it can only protect the tripod so far, it won't protect it from abuse or careless handling. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/slik-88-tripod-bag/ Full-sized photography and videography tripods are usually supplied with bags, and the bags usually have slings on them, so that when the tripod has been placed in its bag it can be slung over the shoulder. This is a good idea; it's pretty easy for photographers and videographers to carry their equipment when it's slung over their shoulder - it's much easier than carrying it when it is held in the hand, or in both hands. Or rather, it's a good idea if the photographer or videographer isn't carrying something slung over the other shoulder. Typically, that 'something' will be a camera bag. So what's the problem? Surely it's easy enough to carry a tripod bag slung over one shoulder and a camera bag slung over the other shoulder? Hmm, actually it isn't easy. If shoulders were exactly level the tripod bag would stay in place, it wouldn't tend to slip off the shoulder. But shoulders aren't exactly level so tripod bags do tend to slip off the shoulder, usually at an awkward moment. Some photographers get around the problem of straight shoulders by slightly raising the shoulder that is being used to carry the tripod bag. This way, the tripod bag tends to stay in place. The problem is, this has the effect of lowering the other shoulder. This, of course, is the shoulder that is supposed to be carrying the camera bag. Naturally, when it is lowered, the camera bag tends to slip off it. One solution might be to develop a special walk, with the left shoulder for example being raised every minute or so to prevent the tripod bag from slipping off it, and the right shoulder for example being raised every minute or so to prevent the camera bag from slipping off it. Seriously, there are various solutions to the problem of tripods and level shoulders, apart from the possible solution of major surgery to the offending shoulders, and I'll look at these solutions in a future post. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/tripod-bags/ The tripod reviews [1] category features useful articles and photos about the kind of tripods that are used with cameras and camcorders in photography, videography and film making. It takes a detailed look at tripods, looking at the types of tripods that are available and the types of photography, videography and film making for which they are suitable. Tripods for  professional and amateur photographers and video makers It's aimed at professional photographers and video makers and amateur photographers and video makers, ie. at professionals who might be considering buying another tripod and amateurs who might be considering buying their first tripod. It's based on my several years' of practical experience with tripods, including mini tripods (sometimes called table top tripods,) full sized travel tripods which are lightweight and easy to transport in a camera bag or camera backpack, and full sized tripods which are heavier and can't be transported in a camera bag or camera backpack. Photographers and videographers may have different attitudes towards tripods Professional photographers and videographers usually accept that they have to have a tripod, or several tripods, for their work, and are willing to invest in a new tripod, because they know that it will be a good investment. But a tripod can be quite an investment for an amateur photographer or videographer who won't be using it for their work, and who, because of this, can't be sure whether it will be a good investment. [1] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/category/tripod-reviews/ http://www.paulgoochimages.org/all-about-tripods/ Although the kind of tripod in this photo isn't very versatile, it's a good example of a tripod that will safely support most cameras and camcorders. The reason why it isn't very versatile is, it can't be used for photography and it can only be used with certain kinds of camcorder, as explained in the post camcorder only tripods. [1] Tripods and camera or camcorder safety Tripods are sometimes rated according to the weight of camera or camcorder they will safely support. Obviously, just about any tripod will safely support a compact digital camera, so this rating system really only applies to heavier digital SLR cameras and even heavier camcorders or video cameras. Although this tripod isn't rated for the weight of camera or camcorder it will support, it will safely support a popular model of a digital SLR camera, and a pretty popular model of a professional camcorder. I know this from an experiment that I carried out with the tripod and a camera and camcorder like this. If you are buying a tripod make sure that it will safely support your camera or camcorder before going ahead with the purchase. In photo: tripod which is not very versatile but is a good example of a tripod which will safely support a popular model of digital SLR camera or a pretty popular model of professional camcorder. [1] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/camcorder-only-tripods/ http://www.paulgoochimages.org/tripods-and-camera-or-camcorder-safety/ Some tripods will only accept video cameras rather than video cameras and still (photography) cameras. This is because the head of the tripod, that's the piece of equipment at the top of it, has a 'specially shaped compartment for camcorders to fit into, or rather the base of the camcorder to fit into. However, the base of a still (photography) camera won't fit into the compartment. This 'camcorder-only' design isn't entirely bad news, however. Because the compartment is 'specially shaped for camcorders, or rather certain types of camcorders are designed to fit into it, the base of the camcorder completely fits into the compartment. [caption id="attachment_606" align="alignleft" width="272" caption="Camcorder tripod with fixed head"][/caption] This means that the camcorder can't move around, because a large area of it - the base, is firmly secured. Buying a budget tripod advice These camcorder only designs are mostly seen in budget tripods. They can be a good buy, but only if you are on a really tight budget. Before buying a tripod like this, make sure that it satisfies the following criteria: obviously, make absolutely sure that your camcorder will fit into the recess in the tripod head. Also, check the construction of the tripod, make sure that it is well-constructed and sturdy. Even if the tripod satisfies these conditions, it still isn't a good idea to pay too much for a tripod like this. The plain truth is, they just aren't versatile enough, because they can only be used for camcorders. Even so, if you are offered one at a very low price, and if, after buying it you have enough money left over to buy a better tripod, buy it. In photo: tripod head which can only be used with camcorders or video cameras. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/camcorder-only-tripods/ Mini tripods, which are sometimes called table top tripods, are useful in situations where a conventional tripod can't be used, or where it is preferable not to use a conventional tripod. They can be used to photograph very small objects at a very close range and at the same level as these very small objects, for example. [caption id="attachment_609" align="alignleft" width="299" caption="Mini tripod or table top tripod"][/caption] How to use mini tripods to photograph valuables These objects might be small valuables which the photographer wants to photograph for security reasons. If the valuable is ever stolen, the photograph of it can be handed to the police, who can use the photo. to help trace it. Typically, the valuable is placed on a table and the mini tripod is set up close to it. Or rather, as close as the lens on the camera will focus on it. Usually, a photography background is arranged on the table and behind the valuable. The lighting is carefully arranged so that every detail of the valuable is recorded in the photo. Mini tripods in outdoor photography and videography Mini tripods or table top tripods can also be used in situations such as outdoor photography or videography where the photographer, videographer or film maker doesn't want to carry a full-sized, much-heavier tripod around with him or her. The problem with using mini tripods in outdoor photography is, because they can only be extended to about one foot in height, they have to be placed on something to raise them to a more conventional height. This something can be a flat outcrop of rock, for example. Or a picnic bench, the kind that are often found in the rest areas of national parks. If it is placed on a flat rock, the rock will have to be approximately the correct height, and it will also have to have enough area for the legs of the tripod to spread out on it. Mini tripod typical specifications The specifications of mini tripods varies, but many are around one foot (300mm) in length and around 1 pound (2.2 kg) in weight. In photo: mini tripod with a 1 foot long (300mm) ruler placed next to it, to show the dimensions of the tripod when the legs are fully extended. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/mini-tripods-or-table-top-tripods/ Paul Gooch Images [1], photography articles, photos and photo galleries.Photography Sites [2] [1] http://www.paulgoochimages.org/ [2] http://www.photoclicks.net/ http://www.paulgoochimages.org/links/ 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. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/an-introduction-to-tripods/ As I'm just getting started in videography I bought a video tripod, but the question is, did I buy the right kind of video tripod My video tripod is a `ball head tripod', which means that the head, the thing at the top of the tripod that you fix your video camera to (you don't fix your camcorder directly to the tripod), literally rotates on and around a ball. Apparently this isn't the best solution for videography, apparently the best solution is to use a `fluid head tripod'. These have a more fluid action, there's no doubt about this - it isn't just sales spiel. But, guess what - they also cost a lot more than ball head video tripods. Video tripod heads comparisons The big question for a newbie videographer is, how much better is a fluid head tripod than a ball head tripod, is it worth paying four times as much, maybe five times as much, for one? To put it bluntly, do you get four or five times as much fluidity for your money? To put it even more bluntly, how much fluidity do you actually need? As I'm a self-confessed newbie videographer who hasn't actually used a fluid head video tripod, it's pretty difficult for me to answer this question. All I can say is, it's a wonderful experience to be able to turn my video camera in any direction I want to do fluidly - without any jerky movements. This doesn't answer the question of whether a fluid video head is four or five times better than a ball head tripod, of course. Wedding videographer's tripod review Ok, here's some evidence that they are at least better, and they might be four or five times better. The evidence is this: the guy that I bought the video tripod from is a wedding videographer, and he stated in his ad. that he was selling it because he was buying a fluid head tripod. This isn't a sales person who is trying to sell something, this is someone who is freely admitting that although the ball head tripod has been fine until now for his wedding videography, it's time to move on to a fluid head tripod. Video tripod conclusions We can draw a couple of conclusions from this: one conclusion might be that ball head video tripods are ok for wedding videography and are maybe ok for other kinds of professional videography - film-making, for example. Another conclusion might be that they are a relatively short-term solution - at some point it will be essential to buy a fluid head video tripod. Possibly - although this isn't proven, because they are four or five times better than ball head video heads. Coming soon Video footage of my ballhead video tripod in action, a look at whether physique and personal attitude influence the way a video tripod is used, some yakking about the merits or otherwise of buying a tripod off eBay, based on personal experience. http://www.paulgoochimages.org/video-tripod-review/