Tag Archives: tripod

in the dark of the day

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Well yesterday was a rare day in Toronto! We saw the total eclipse of the sun! Shades of Carly Simon and Nova Scotia decades ago. Last fall I posted the 1912 eclipse in Lisbon. Keep in mind these are … Continue reading →

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off with their heads …

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … said the queen in the famous “Alice” stories. Those of the smartphone generation have little use for tripods or tripod heads as the media (sensor) is so sensitive that the majority of shots are taken hand held. Only … Continue reading →

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a supporting stand

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In this day of smartphones and digital cameras with maximum  ISO settings beyond our wildest dreams in the film era, camera supports are seldom necessary (other than to take selfies or closeups where framing is critical). In the early … Continue reading →

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a darkening day

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Today, we are rather blasé about solar eclipses. but how were they handled over a century ago? A dark shield was still needed to protect eyes, but the cameras as shown here were far different. This scene of a … Continue reading →

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shooting at the moon

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Happy Victoria day to all. According to the TV, this holiday’s name eludes most people these days as they seem to be non-British folk. The actual holiday is celebrated the first Monday on or just before the 24th. Initially, … Continue reading →

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a screwy standard

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Standards mean repairs can be made outside the factory. They also mean third parties can make accessories that will fit products from many makers. This applies to photography too. You can usually mount a camera to any tripod. Accessories … Continue reading →

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catching the fire light just right

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. I remember taking photos of fireworks one summer many years ago using 35mm colour slide  film and bracketing my shots. I was surprised when the film was processed and the fireworks were captured – with some burnt out highlights … Continue reading →

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why the tripod?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Did you ever wonder why so many old photos and drawings of cameras in use showed a tripod? Until the dry-plate era, the media were so insensitive that it took  seconds or minutes in bright light to record the … Continue reading →

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a hazardous accessory

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. We often consider the tripod as an innocuous accessory to stabilize photos and movies. The skit shown when the icon at left  is clicked shows just how risky that nefarious accessory can be. The tripod in question was used … Continue reading →

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getting a leg up

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Robert

Toronto.  Over the years there were many kinds of camera supports. The early studio supports were massive wooden boxes, usually with four legs. When cameras were used outdoors we soon saw the traditional three legs – tripods – first of … Continue reading →

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