A tripod stand is one of the important accessories for a photographer irrespective of shooting a digital or a video film. The most often encountered blur in the picture is due to a shake in the camera induced by the photographer. A tripod is an ideal choice to eradicate those shaky shots. A tripod enables you to take better shots with a smaller aperture and slower shutter speed. It takes you a step closer to obtaining sharper images. There are more than 550 different varieties of tripods for still photography and video shooting. It is essential to understand the features of the tripod in order to make a better purchase.

The most important features that are collective to all tripods include size, load capacity, head type, feet and leg locks. The heap is featured on top of the center column. It has a tube in the midpoint which facilitates movement with the help of a hand crank or a locking collar. The twist features of leg locks enable concrete locking in its position. The rubber non-slip feet of the tripod are an ideal choice for indoor shooting, on the other hand, spiked feet are best suited for outdoor shoots. Check out the maximum height extension and load capacity of the tripods.

The tripods are made with a wide variety of materials. However, plastic is the most common material used for constructing tripods. It is less expensive but does not offer good durability. Aluminum is the next inexpensive material used which adds colossal weight to the tripods making it a less ideal choice for extensive travel. The carbon fiber is the trending material for tripods with added advantages of extended durability, flexibility and lightweight features. Tripods made out of wood are often preferred by nature photographers. The five basic categories of tripods that are commercially available in the market include Pocket, Tabletop, Portable, Medium Duty and Sturdy Duty tripods.

Filters enable a photographer to bring out an assortment of effects. A polarizing filter is an imperative tool for a landscape photographer. Polarizers have maximum polarization at 90-degree angles to the sun. They are typically used to enhance the blue hue in the sky. They also impart brightness to the clouds to augment contrast. They remove reflections from various sources. It is essential to choose polarizing filters with high optical quality. Neutral density filters are known for its immense darkening features. These filters enable the use of long exposures in bright outdoors. It also offers longer shutter speed to capture the picture vividly.

Neutral density filters are relatively inexpensive and are very popular among DSLR users. It allows you to capture the elusive water flow in a waterfall as naturally as possible on a bright day. A graduated neutral density filter is known for encompassing a basal clear filter along with a shaded dark top. Such filters darken the sky without changing the foreground. It is an ideal tool for landscape photographers as it avails precise light exposure and captures images in a complete frame. It can also be used to change the composition of elements in a picture. Many ace landscape photographers prefer graduated neutral density filter over other choices.

While capturing a waterfall or riverside, drops of water tend to deposit on the lens. These drops of water have to be constantly cleaned on and off during the photographing session. UV filters with a clear glass surface ensure optimal protection to the camera lens. The UV filters can be taken off midway in-between the shoot. This ensures clean lens as well as avoids color cast during the shooting. It also prevents the scratching of the camera lens. UV filters are most frequently made of glass making it very fragile in nature. An extra amount of care is required while handling UV filters.