tripod-in-stream question

[andnowimbroke]

I got an easy question on shooting with tripods. When your standing


in a fast stream that's about knee-high, what should you do to


minimize the pulse or vibration of the water on your tripod when


taking pictures with a long shutter speed? The one Bogen tripod I


have is aluminium and am trying to drive the little spikes in the bed


(kinda rocky though). Thought about maybe sandbags to help deaden


it, but it's a long hike for thatand the rocks that are there are kinda


bigger than what I need to put in a bag. Never thought about busting


out some climbing gear and locking it on the rocks below. I hate the


head I have (mine included), and might actually bolt the 7D right on


the tripod to eliminate issues with that, although, would that make


vibrations worse? Anyway, just kind of a generic question. Thanks


for any answers up front.

[Craig85]

I have done it with a lightweight aluminum one. Obviously you will want to position it for the best composition but having said that try and find a place where the water is flowing a little slower, like the inside of a bend. I, went to some effort, wthout the camera attached to get the tripod legs solidly between some heavy rocks. In the end I ended up holdig my own weight down onto the teipod I think.

[Kayaker72]

Mr. "We've all been there" [:P]


I've haven't done this myself, but it seems that setting up in an area with the least amount of flow, securing the legs as best possible and putting as much weight as possible (without damaging the tripod) on the tripod would be the best ways to dampen vibrations. Maybe you back an emptybag and some rope and fill the back with rocks when you get to your river. Tie the bag at the top of the tripod so the weight is evenly distributed on all three legs.


Just a thought...good luck.


EDIT---Sorry I read your post too fast. It sounds like the rocks are too to put in the bag. Any chance of securing tie-down straps to the rocks and tripod?

[PaulM]

Can you make or get a triangular sling instead of a bag? That way it

[andnowimbroke]

- and with the planning and effort don't forget to post the results!

You had to remind me didn't you. It's like magic tricks. You'll spend hours on a setup and might be able to drag the actual trick out two minutes.


I can't say I've ever tried a triangle "Hammock" before. And your right about the leg pressure. Maybe I'll use it as a work surface and throw my bag in it for the wieght. Can't remeber how much room I had before the water started under the pod. Prolly not enough for the bag. Crap. I know my feet were cold and my socks were wet. Somethung about wearing hiking boots I keep supplies in myRide now. The problem I had with this shot was I was at a choke point. The trees above kept me from being able to back out more and the shots from the bank looked cheesy. I had one rock directly in front of me but it seemed to create more havoc than help. Do they make fancy splitters (shaped like an airplane wing kinda) that go over the tripod legs that might help work the water around? I've never heard of aerodynamic legs before. Just thinking out loud.

[PaulM]

Maybe I'll use it as a work surface ...

To my knowledge there is a commercially available item and that is exactly what it is for but my Google is not strong - can't find anything related.

... throw my bag in it for the wieght.

Personally if I were ina stream, thowing my bag in the hammock is last thing I'd do! I think a handy rock would be preferrable in the stream.


Don't worry about the setup effort. When you've done it you'll be all the more pleased that you took the effort. I'm afraid I come up with quite a few good ideas but I never get off my butt to follow them through. Depending on the setting, perhaps you can take longer at the actual shooting once you've spent all that time getting set-up by getting staying through an evening as the light falls.


Here's an idea: as the light falls you'd probably get light in various areas. You could put them together like HDR but it's an adaption of the techniquebecause you're not just taking a series of different exposures at the same time of day.


Again, good luck!


Paul.

[Richard Lane]

..When your standingin a fast stream that's about knee-high, what should you do to


minimize the pulse or vibration of the water on your tripod when


taking pictures with a long shutter speed? The one Bogen tripod I


have is aluminium and am trying to drive the little spikes in the bed


(kinda rocky though). Thought about maybe sandbags to help deaden


it, but it's a long hike for thatand the rocks that are there are kinda


bigger than what I need to put in a bag....I hate the


head I have (mine included), and might actually bolt the 7D right on


the tripod to eliminate issues with that, although, would that make


vibrations worse? ...

Hey Greg (anib),





I have shot some Surfers in the surf with very fast shutter speeds, so it's not exactly the same thing, but here are some pointers:


Carbon tripods have better dampening than aluminum ones.


Heavier tripods dampen vibrations better.


Shorter tripods are more stable than taller ones.


Three legged sections are more stable than 4 legged sections.


Center columns cause more vibrations, than no center column.


Twist locks are more hydrodynamic than clamp locks.


A Ball Head will dampen vibrations better than a direct connection to the tripod.


When you set up the tripod, point one leg upstream and two legs downstream, the flow of the water downstream will help stabilize the 2 legs that are pointed downstream.


If you have enough clearance, then hang some weight as stated above.


Some Video Tripods are more stable and have spreaders up near the top of the legs.





This won't help you with your dilemma, but I thought it might be interesting for others that shoot in and around the water:


http://www.rjwiley.smugmug.com/gallery/6552437_qX76L#467276442_rB79d


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_ilIV7v5jE


https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=87





If it's really rough.., don't risk your equipment...





Happy Shooting,


Rich

[andnowimbroke]

Thanks for the reply and linksRich.

A Ball Head will dampen vibrations better than a direct connection to the tripod

Crap! Maybe I'll get a better ball head for christmas.. that doesn't creep.