All the landscape photogs out there, how often do you shoot/compose at "eye-level"? I'm trying to decide on a tripod which will be used for landscapes but also as my general purpose pod. Mostly, the other type of shooting will be macro or still life type shots. So I was thinking I will need a center column for macro and still lifes possibly, but do not want to use it for landscapes.
I shoot much lower to the ground for most landscapes. Typically 1-4 feet from the ground depending on what I'm trying to compose. I shoot at eye level rarely for landscapes.
I would say less than 5%. The only time I would ever shoot at eye level is when shooting distant subjects with my telephoto where is was necessary to have the extra height. Having said that, It is very helpful to have a tall tripod, particularly if shooting on a steep slope and even more so if shooting rivers which have large boulders and drop offs.
Alex Nail wrote:
It is very helpful to have a tall tripod, particularly if shooting on a steep slope and even more so if shooting rivers which have large boulders and drop offs.
Alex
I'm with Alex on this one. Unless there are special considerations like weight or size, get a tripod that is taller (fully extended) than you normally use. I use one that extends to 65" at the base plate which comes in handy for situations like the above.
I'm 6'6" so any tripod that gets to my eye level is probably either too heavy to carry or super expensive. I find that with landscapes I'm more often getting low than high anyway.
