Many famous places don't allow tripods to be used, and this is especially true when photographing interiors. Therefore, you have to come up with ways to deal with low light situations. One solution is to carry in your pocket a very small bean bag. You can then find some kind of support on which you can place the bean bag and then your camera. This gives you a rock solid support and you can angle the camera to a certain degree to take the composition you want. I shot this image in the Natural History Museum in London, and I used the double railing as support. Fortunately it was dead center in the cavernous room which is exactly where I wanted to shoot to take advantage of the beautiful symmetry in the architecture. I used a 14mm lens to get this, and I applied the HDR technique to get tremendous detail in both the highlights and the shadows.. My settings were 1/5th second, f/22, 800 ISO.
4 Comments
Aug 15, 2015, 9:19:43 PM
Jim Zuckerman - Hi Daniel,
You could probably get away with a monopod in some places, but not all. It just depends on the policy of the museum, castle, or whatever. But with a slow shutter speed, a monopod isn't much good. I never use one. Jim
Aug 15, 2015, 9:08:43 PM
Daniel Reynaud - Do those places make a difference between tripods and monopods, or are they all banned ?
Aug 9, 2015, 9:51:37 AM
Jim Zuckerman - Hi Fred, Thanks for your comments. It's true that in so many situations, you have to use what's available. In the Cairo Museum, I used my wallet under the camera to prop it up. Lots of improvisation.
I went to your website. The shot of Le Mont Saint Michel is awesome. I was there when I shot film in the 90s. After seeing your picture, I have to go back and do it right. Jim
Aug 9, 2015, 9:37:59 AM
Frederic Hore - I have been enjoying your daily blogs Jim with your valued tips and techniques. I have been in similar situations, though I usually resort to using my lens cap, guide book, a crunched up sweater or similar object to prop up my camera for interior photos. I followed this procedure for an interior photo of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.
Happy trails. Hope to connect with you again one day after meeting you in Montreal a few years ago.
Be well.
Fred