Guide to Buying Camcorder Tripods (page 3)
The Other Support Toys
Now that you have a nice tripod - the "meat and potatoes" camera support in your kit - you might want to consider some specialty items such as jibs, dollies and stabilizers, and don't forget to consider a monopod. Imagine zooming out while you dolly the camera forward! It's usually referred to as a trombone shot or vertigo shot, and the results can be quite claustrophobic for your viewers. Dollies are necessary for a shot like this. Dollies are also nice for pans that require very consistent camera movement that follows or moves about your subject. They usually need a near-perfect surface or a track on which to glide. You can bring along plywood to make a surface. The effects can be quite nice, and the trouble involved in setting a dolly is worth definitely it.
How about a shot that comes from above the subject, slowly rotates around it, then drops in and down for a view from below? You'll need a jib for that, and they aren't too expensive for even a budding videographer to consider. Jibs come in a variety of sizes, ranging from a four-foot reach to as much as 25 feet. They can have simple pan heads or elaborate systems that control the camera angle and zoom the lens. Start off with a nice six-foot one, add to that your sturdy tripod and you can get a shot from ten feet right down to ground level. Yep, the smaller jibs actually attach to your existing tripod, and the nice thing is that they use standard weights you get from the sporting goods store. Good thing you bought a good tripod right from the start!
Ever come across a great scene while driving to work? You know, those times when you really don't have enough time to get out and set up. But the shot is so nice, perfect for your reel. How about a system that clamps right to your window? They make those too, and you can mount to it that great fluid head you bought for your tripod. "I'm always late! Even that's going to take too long," you say? Try flopping a bean bag over the glass window and shoot handheld. They make those and just about everything you could ever imagine for just about every situation you could ever imagine.
Another wonderful support is the tried-and-true monopod. Fast to set up and lightweight, they provide fantastic stability while affording you the freedom of handholding. They also provide a nice "pole" for those times you need to shoot from a high angle, such as over a crowd or some other obstacle. What if you want to get out and follow along with your camera, but the subject is just too far away? You know that if you zoom in and walk, it's only going to be too jittery to use. Grab your Steadicam, and just get out there and shoot! Steadicam or camera stabilizers, as they are known, really extend your capabilities, because they allow you to get great shots while following behind or alongside your subject. They work to counterbalance the camera and any motion you might transfer to it. Just make sure you get one that's right for your camera. This device might be the first camera support you should consider after you have purchased a really good tripod. The effects are contemporary and in demand, and the Steadicam allows you the creative freedom that inspires both you and your clients. Don't forget the original creators of this type of system were awarded an Academy Award for its innovative design, which speaks volumes about how its use has revolutionized the way cinema and video is shot today.
Final Consideration
Today there are lots of camera supports available in many shapes and sizes, with pricing to fit just about any budget. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a budding artist, any one of them will provide options that will allow you to interpret your creative vision, please your clients and give you years of service. It's really up to you how you will unleash the power of these devices, so go out there and express your own POV!
Terry O'Rourke specializes in retail advertising photography and videography for clients world wide.
