Pixiq

Handheld HDR is easy with this homemade contraption that you can easily make yourself using next to nothing.

HDR requires a series of images that are shot in sequence. If you are not careful, you can ruin the exposures due to camera movement. I am usually pretty successful as long as the shutter speeds are fast and the shots are fired quickly. However, the chances are, my camera will move between the exposures especially at longer intervals. An old rule of thumb states something like the following. Any shutter speed that is slower than the focal length you are using converted to a fraction of a second and then rounded to the closest shutter speed setting should not be used for hand held shooting. Using this as a guide, a lens that has a focal length of 135mm should not be used handheld at speeds slower than 125th of a second. A 300mm lens should not be used at speeds slower than 1/500th of a second. I would guess that there are a few other factors such as your own ability to hold the camera steady, wind, standing in a precarious situation, etc.

When shooting HDR, it is usually the shutter speed that creates the difference between the exposures. A sequence usually means at least one shot  at a normal setting and several shots that are shorter and longer in exposure time. The longer settings can cause the exposures to blur.

The device here, can be an effective tool to help steady the camera during an HDR sequence. The device commonly known as a stringpod, when properly used, can be useful for bracing the camera during an HDR sequence.

Basically, there are two ends to this thing. One end attaches to the bottom of the camera using the eyebolt and the other end sits on the ground. To use it, you simply step on the bottom piece while applying an upwards force on your camera. the amount of force is just enough to make the string taught. The upward pressure should significantly help to stabilize the camera. This device can allow you to shoot at slower shutter speeds than suggested above. If your shutter speeds happen to be a bit slow at the bottom end, you may find that your images will still be useful.

While this tool can make your walks in the woods a bit lighter, I would recommend a tripod if you know that the light level is going to be low. A tripod is always abetter choice for low light photography. 

Basically, all you need are 2- 1/4 20 eye bolts, a 1/4 20 wing nut, a 1/4 20 nut, 2 flat  1/4" flat washers and a 6' +/- piece  of (1/4" approx) braided rope. I also suggest a piece of leather strap as shown to give you something to stand on. you can use anything else that you feel would be appropriate such as a small piece of wood. The string or rope used should be strong enough and should not stretch when pulled. You will need to make a hole in the leather or whatever you use on the foot end. Feel free to make your own customized version. The one shown uses several old point and shoot camera straps for the string and a portion of an old belt to stand on. Keep it simple.

You should use some caution when attaching the eyebolt to the camera. Be very careful not to screw it in too far as it can damage the camera. It only needs to be screwed in 3 tp 4 turns. Only tighten the wing nut enough to keep the stringpod attached.

I carry one in my bag just in case. 

Please see my other posts about HDR on pixiq.

My NEW book! Available NOW! 

Rethinking Digital Photography can be purchased at your local Barnes and Noble or online at Amazon , Barnes and Noble, Hastings, Powells, and Tower Books in the USA.  It is also sold  in Canada at  Chapters Indigo and other fine book stores in the UK, Austrailia, New Zealand and other countries worldwide.

Photography is changing at the speed of light--and this imaginative manual offers an amazing look at unconventional imaging methods, both digital and analog. Detailed and playful, it presents ideas for repurposing old cameras, making photo devices out of common household items, and creating unique images with today's cameras, mobile phones, software, and other digital technology. From using a TTV cameras lens to panorama and 3D shooting, these techniques will expand any photographer's repertoire!

Liese R. - Chicago, Il. USA

"The pages are beautiful, so well designed: large enough type, simple, clear instructions which make the information and techniques non-threatening and the images DO inspire. The HDR is something I hadn't worked with but I will now. I am a film shooter but I see that Neel's ideas can still translate to my medium and are great for my teaching. Thanks for a really useful hands-on book for photogs and photo teachers alike!" 

 

John S. - Colorado Springs, Co. USA

"This is just a wonderful book. Full of all sorts of innovative and original photographic techniques to explore. It functions in about equal measure as both a detailed manual and an inspirational guide. So, there are shooting techniques described, which involve actually physically modifying your camera or cameras - and expert instructions (and appropriate warnings!) are provided in most of these cases. Plus, tutorial material is provided in other chapters on post-processing explorations…  And inter-connections are forged also: some of the images which are postworked come directly from the adapted and "foreign-lens-to-body-combination" cameras. Well done.…" 

Walter  J. - Upstate NY. USA

"Strap on your seatbelts as Photographer and Digital Imaging Wizard John Neel takes us "behind the curtain" in his laboratory of seemingly mundane gadgets and graft-ons, merging traditional and non-traditional hardware and software to produce wondrous and artistic imagery. Unlike magicians who leave the viewer in a befuddled state of amazement John shares enough theory and technique to make this readily accessible to the everyday Joe who wants to extend his image making horizons. Can photography be any more fun than this?"

 

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Pixiq; 1 edition

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1600597866

ISBN-13: 978-1600597862

Read more of my posts for articles about digital and analog imaging.