15 Alternatives for When You Forget Your Tripod

Posted on by Durkin


Image from Flickr: Uh Hoy Hoy – Direct Link

Did you leave the house and forget your tripod? It can be annoying especially if you are shooting in low light or in the dark.

Fear not though! Now that you are reading this post you will know for the future that all is not lost if you forget your tripod.

Listed below are some techniques or objects you can use to stabalise your holga or toy camera.

  • Car Door Frame – Wind down the window!
  • Car Bonnet, boot, roof
  • The Floor – You might get some funny looks..
  • Walls – any with a flat top are really useful
  • Buildings – turn your Holga 90 degrees and push it against a wall
  • Lamp post – use above trick
  • Trees – use branches, or again use above trick
  • Park Benches/seats
  • Tables – restaurant/cafe tables work a treat
  • Sculptures – maybe check they aren’t sentimental first!
  • Steps
  • Window Frames
  • Balcony railings
  • Any other railings
  • Sit cross legged – Use your knee/leg

The list is almost endless…

Have an idea of your own that I’ve not mentioned? Why not leave a comment below and help everyone else out!?

Happy Shooting!

  • StanW

    And if possible, use a cable release

    • http://tomdurkin.me Tom Durkin

       Yes they tend to help stop camera shake, however if you get a good study position with your camera its usually ok…you just have to sit there holding the shutter button which is a bit of bother :)

  • http://www.farosuperiore.it tonino

    i have a question: how time to open the shutter?

    • http://tomdurkin.me Tom Durkin

       Hi, its really just a case of experimenting, but I’d start somewhere around 15 – 30 seconds with 400 film. Good luck :)

  • http://CoverVersions.tv/ Lucas @ CoverVersions.tv

    Tops of mailboxes and rubbish bins are my stand of choice in the urban wilds.

    • http://tomdurkin.me Tom Durkin

       Great tips thanks for sharing :)