This episode shows 3 alternatives to Tripods for better Digital Photos and Digital Video.

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Traveling with a Tripod is very difficult. Not only is the bulk and weight of the tripod annoying, but with airplane travel it is even more difficult to get through security. So here are 3 possible solutions.

The first is to use a small bag of some product, such as rice or beans from the grocery store. This can be placed on just about any surface regardless of how uneven it is. Then place the camera on top of the bag and press it into material. You can modify this design with a fabric bag with your choice of filler that might look nicer. They also make nice gifts to the creative in your life.

The second is to use a water bottle. The Tripod connection on the bottom of most cameras is a standard 1/4″ #20 thread. So you need to find a short bolt to go through the cap of the water bottle. I have seen this design around on the internet for a while, I’ve made a modification by using 1/4″ neoprene coated washers. Use one washer on each side of the cap and place the bolt up through the top of the cap, with the neoprene of the washer facing the bottom of the camera. Screw this into the bottom of the camera. This can also be used handheld with a small digital video camera to allow a bit more stabilization.

The third is to use string and a 1/4″ #20 eye bolt. Attach the bolt to the camera with the string attached to the ring of the eyebolt. Stand on the string and pull the string upward to create a more stable image than with handheld. Keeping the camera’s own electronic or optical stabilization on will help this even more.