Monopods for Stability and Flexibility

Posted by editor on January 20, 2012

In order to produce crisp, clear and beautiful pictures, a photographer needs a steady hand when taking shots. A slight shake of the hand will blur the image, ruining the whole photograph.  This is the reason why you see many photography enthusiasts, be it a career photographer or just an amateur, using tripods. Tripods help to support the camera to eliminate shaking and hold it steady while taking pictures. However, there are places and situations where using a tripod is not practical and even prohibited, like in museums, in stadiums, fields and other sports venues, in theaters and and other crowded places because people might trip over them and cause injury.   The tripod has three legs which needs to be spread out to keep it upright and this takes up too much space.

In times when a photographer cannot use a tripod, the alternative is to use a monopod. Monopods are like tripods in the sense that they also support the camera but the difference is that monopods are one legged.  Monopods look like a single pole that helps the photographer keep the camera steady. In fact, many photographers prefer to use the monopod over the tripod for several reasons.

Monopod are lighter and smaller, thereby easier to carry around. Monopods are usually made of aluminum or carbon fiber which makes them lighter.  Monopods are collapsible and they fit in bags or backpacks easily. Monopods are also easier to set up. The photographer just pulls the monopod out of the bag, mounts the camera and he is ready to take a shot.  No fuss. Using monopods provide the photographer with more flexibility to move about to take shots. His movement is not slowed down by having to maneuver three legs. Monopods do not take up much space.  The photographer can set up the monopod even in very tight spaces. It is just a single slim pole and is not at all obtrusive.

For those interested in photography, it is important to note that having the right gear is equally important as having a good eye.