Breaking Paradigms

Part of the challenge of mobile photography for me — and a part that I like — is using a mobile camera-phone in “traditional” ways but without resorting to traditional tools. For instance: a tripod.

I appreciate my views are not shared by all, but for me a tripod, even a small/tabletop tripod, defeats the purpose of mobile photography as it is just one more thing to carry around.

Then I stumbled on this:

pocket-tripod.com/

It’s as big as a credit card, inexpensive, and does an origami twist to set it up. I bought it and played with it around the house but can’t say that I’ve used it yet. I’m Heading out on a trip soon and we’ll see if I can make good use out of it then. The best thing about it is: it takes up essentially no extra space nor adds any extra weight. If it’s utility proves to be good, it really will be a win for me.

What “light, small” gizmos do you use, if any?

I’ve been carrying a Pocket Tripod Pro in my wallet since they were first introduced. It gets used as a phone stand as often as it does a camera support. One of the hinge bits on my original cracked earlier this year — replaced at no charge by the manufacturer. I use my watch as a live view remote. That’s it for EDC gear. Unless you count the Peak Design anchor on my case – allowing me to attach a wrist strap or sling.

For photo walks and travel I have a clamp-on grip that also has a removable Bluetooth remote (and tripod socket). Sometimes I’ll add a compact Anker selfie stick (used for anything but) to the kit.

Mostly try to keep it simple though. Same with my dedicated camera kit for anything but a planned, specialized shoot.
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I definitely do use "adult" tripod for my mobile phone and video work. There is no way I could do static videos or review videos and just hold it all the time. It's just the tools to get job done. You do not have to follow a class stereotypes. Why would you burden yourself with these barriers?

Oh wow, I love it.
Great to see some innovative design.

So you use a tool that works for you! Great!

Why would you consider my personal exploration of a tool that might work for me a “burden” or a “barrier” to ME? I don’t think that you know me. I don’t think that we have ever met and I wouldn’t suggest to you that your tool of choice is a “barrier or burden” to you. Given what I wrote in the first post, why do you feel compelled to ask the question?

I use my watch as a live view remote.

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It would never have occurred to me that this could be done. But when I read this I slapped myself on my forehead, "Of course!"

It's almost obscene that we have the tech to do this kind of thing. Imagine telling someone in 1980 that it was coming? Or in 2000? Hell, even as recently as about 2015!

Rich

It would never have occurred to me that this could be done. But when I read this I slapped myself on my forehead, "Of course!"

It's almost obscene that we have the tech to do this kind of thing. Imagine telling someone in 1980 that it was coming? Or in 2000? Hell, even as recently as about 2015!

Rich
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So true. I have snapshots I took with old cell phones from 2007 that appear in Facebook memories…and I can’t believe how bad the quality is. Now I can produce decent prints at fairly large sizes.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a mobile camera-phone to take photos.
If it upsets any of the old farts here… so what. lol

fyi… you can make a “monopod” from a length of string!
Okay, we're not talking cell phone cameras here, but... attach the string to the bottom of your camera and make a loop at the other end. Place your foot in the loop and pull upwards until it's (eye-level) taut.

You can occasionally see this in museums and art galleries were the use of a tripod is forbidden.

Call me a tight-wad… but your little plastic pocket “tripod” is 35 bucks!
I can get a single can of Play-Doh in the UK for 99 pence / $1.25

Any color. lol

A can of Play-Doh doesn't fit into a wallet. I carry that "tripod" everywhere and use it regularly.

The post was meant to be humorous.
anyhoo... I love the smell of Play-Doh in the morning. lol

First, I am sorry if my explanation was not understood. Maybe I worded it badly. Still, there is a response to that.

No, I use the tool that is necessary for the environment and situation. It doesn't mean it isn't heavy, large, cumbersome and bothersome. The point is to not selfconstrain oneself so broadly. Sometimes the choice is for the tool, sometimes for lesser tool, sometimes for no tool and sometimes for opting out completely from taking that shot. I am mentioning the freedom of wide choices you have. Setting that bar to have only one, or rather no choice, is no grounds for other opinions, which you claimed you accept. Further in text, it indicates otherwise.

It is a situational inevitability.

It must be either of these, unless one is happy to lug around with a very big gear stash. It is either limit or burden, unless the situation fits perfectly into the available gear range. It cannot be all the time. Impossible.

Because, I have different view, it looked to me that you might be restraining yourself, there is this thing called free speech, and I didn't came from the point of hostility. I really come from the point of "Why would you do that to yourself", to encourage you for more opennes. There is no reading in between lines and on the contrary, your response surprised me, and I find it rather closed or even hostile.

You can take that challenge you mentioned, and there is nothing wrong in that. The challenge of getting the proper gear though makes a lot sense too, and so I encourage you to think about it. Is the challenge to use lesser gear for most personal comfort all that useful and admirable? I find the approach to strive down little conflicting in some ways, and I spoke it. Had that period of least gear myself, and opted for more efforts, for which I get better results and even admire myself for bravely and voluntarily bearing that discomfort of the choice.

If you do not want that opinion here, you can communicate that clearly, and I will respect that and leave you alone. It's perfectly fine, no hard feelings. But don't give me this "you don't know me". Obviously! Communicating only with people who know each other is not the mechanics of this forum. Your requirement (unspoken before) for that could not be complied with anyways. Your expectation of this is not reasonable. Can we just?..... 😉

You’re welcome. Post back here if you like/don’t like it and so will I.