How to Use a Monopod

Professional Photographer, Terry VanderHeiden, shows how to use a monopod to improve your digital photography.
www.imagelight.com/

[@AlexandraKearney]

Thanks, the ballhead idea will fix a lot of my problems.

[@theoGoh]

This is one of the better "How to" youtube videos on monopod. Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesWhiteOfficial]

I've been using a monopod more and more lately. I love the versatility, portability, and increased stability over handheld, without the time it takes to properly set up a tripod. Nice video.

[@tv510]

Glad you like it! I still use mine quite a bit too.

[@tv510]

Alan, Yes, I am using Final Cut. Just upgraded to Final Cut X. So far so good. Much faster on the rendering than in FC7. I do some color correcting in post, but I try to get it right in the camera to save time.

[@tv510]

Thanks Vijeandran, glad you like it.

[@philippGM]

At first I thought what could be complicated about a Monopod. But then I have only 3min video a try. I wasn’t disappointed! Not soo much new things but a good reminder how to use it. Thanks for making this video.

[@tv510]

Thanks for watching Philipp. Yes, its a pretty good tool to have and work with. Glad you liked it!

[@sreeshab4093]

Very simple and effective presentation. You are a marvellous teacher Terry - you know what it takes for a commoner to understand. Thanks, enjoyed and much learnt!

[@tv510]

Thanks for watching and the kind comments Sreesha!

[@swansong007]

Great Video and Loved the tip of extending camera over subject , never thought of that one before, Will try this soon

[@lornesmith3000]

Great tips! I especially like the "from above" shots...thank you for that!

[@hamzah306]

Thank you very much for your great advice, Terry.

[@jorgeserrano6649]

Simple, clean and easy explanations. Thanks Terry!!

[@tv510]

Thank you for watching.

[@tv510]

Absolutely! And Titlelist is my ball of choice.

[@tv510]

Glad you like it. More to come.

[@BrianCarey]

Well presented and informative, thanks Terry.

[@copacabanadisco]

You´re great man!!

[@thomasisnotatrain]

This was really helpful, I was looking more towards recording video, but this definately helps with my photography!

[@dw2Video]

Good stuff. I like to use a monopod more than a tripod and you gave me some new ideas I didn't have before watching this. Well done.

[@aiyah1966]

Terry, I liked the way various benefits of using the monopod. Thank you for making it interesting.

[@tv510]

Suresh Iyer glad it works for you! Thanks for the kind words.

[@tv510]

That looks pretty much like a monopod. Keep up the good work!

[@vijeandran]

GREAT TIP !!!

[@tv510]

Thanks, glad you like it.

[@haveless]

Nice vid dude!

[@tv510]

Thanks, I use the "from above" shots all the time. Good luck.

[@tv510]

Absolutely, they work fine over water. The big question is how is your grip? You're camera might get a little heavy on a fully extended monopod. Remember to move the shutter speed up a little faster if you can, to make up for the extra movement at the end of the monopod. Good luck!

[@alan4x]

hello terry and thank you for your video, they are some excellent tips. i know this is getting away from the issue but i notice your video quality is very good and i just wanted to ask you :) do you shoot your videos as a flat image and color correct in post and also i think you are using final cut pro x, just wondering what you think of it, thanks, alan.

[@tv510]

Yes, final cut pro - shot in standard. Thanks for watching.

[@tv510]

I was going for that surround type feeling.. I didn't how that happened at the time but I think I have figured that out now.

[@HenryL__]

Hi Terry, thanks for your great video. I'm the beginner of monopod and you shared with me a lot of knowledge in it. By the way, which ball head you're using in the video ?

[@tv510]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@superlinux]

Hello. and thanks for the tips. Is there a monopod which you can hammer it in the ground like tent wedge? or maybe hit it like a nail stir it like a spear in the ground? What made me ask this is the type of the ground you were in this video. the same can be applied on a football field.

[@tv510]

Hi SuperLinux, thanks for watching. I don't think it would be a good idea to hammer the monopod into the ground. The whole idea of a good monopod is to be able to stick and move. Unlike a tripod where you are committed to that spot. You wouldn't want to be trying to pry out the monopod from the earth when a 200 lb running back is barreling down on you. Good luck!

[@tv510]

Thanks, I'll try to do more.

[@divejumpshooter6947]

Terry thanks for spreading your knowledge nicely done and I appreciate it.

[@tv510]

DiveJumpShooter glad you like it. Thanks for watching

[@bruceallen3131]

Love this guy! Nice video

[@tv510]

Glad you like it.

[@tv510]

Glad you liked it.

[@tv510]

@MrSeangeeee, Yes a Go Pro can be mounted. You will first have to buy the tripod mount in order to attach it to the plastic housing of the Go Pro. It costs about $7.00 from Amazon.

[@plastictree64]

Thank you very much. I was looking for some good hints on how to use at best a monopod and in your video I found all I needed. Great work!

[@luiscayden1168]

You all probably dont give a damn but does someone know a method to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I love any help you can offer me.

[@raphaelaryan7371]

@Luis Cayden Instablaster ;)

[@Demiglitch]

Thanks for your information, I really appreciate what you've done here.

[@tv510]

Glad you like it, hope it works for you.

[@iSabier]

Extremely useful tips. Thank you. I'm curious to know your opinion on using Monopods for Macro Photography.

[@tv510]

+iSabier I have never used it for Macro work, though it seems like a good idea. Keeping the camera steady just for focus might be worth it. Let me know how it goes!

[@DNRelayMan]

Short and concise. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@tv510]

I'm working on it. Do you have a topic that you would like to know more about?

[@supercooled]

Good tips, Terry. Thanks!

[@TonyWolfe]

Like your tip, I fixed up a DRIFT VIDEO CAM on a telescopic tent pole and YES it not as good as a proper monopod but it does the job with gear that I already had, I am pleased to see that my idea was not that stupid, NICE VIDEO

[@JohanBesterphotos]

Great tips. Thank you!

[@BlueTieCampinas]

Thanks so much for the tips and clear instructions ! You sir helped me a lot !

[@tv510]

+Blue Tie Campinas Glad it works for you!

[@tv510]

Thanks, I'll try to make more.

[@tv510]

I usually use a wide angle lens when using the self timer. So I pre focus before I shoot. And since its a wide angle, there is more margin for error in the focus.

[@lfvchmiele]

Thank you for the tips on the Monopod - it was all great and useful information. I enjoyed your video you have a clear and easy teaching style. Was this video filmed at Lime Saddle on Lake Oroville?

[@tv510]

No, Lake Chabot in Castro Valley

[@ajakblackgoat]

thanks for the 'extender' tip.. never thought of that before.

[@shawnpugin6437]

This video was great. I am a photographer thinking about shooting my high school football game this fall. I always saw a monopod on tv. I never new why photographers had those but I do now. Thanks for the video.

[@tv510]

Great! Shooting football is a blast. Best to stay alert so you don't get run over.

[@mikedwn]

'Great tips...thanks Terry!

[@MrGearMo]

great job with the video man, keep it up.

[@tv510]

Glad you like it. If you have requests, let me know.

[@tv510]

I always try to focus on something about the same distance as I will be shooting, once the self-timer is pressed, that should lock in the focus.

[@rookieslr]

This is a great video, thank you Terry! Can you please advise if one brand of Monopad (or tripod for that matter) is better than another brand. I have just started using a Manfrotto 290 series tripod, and ITS GREAT!!! Love your idea on the 'overhead' shot using the monopod, however how do you avoid camera shake / vibration if you are doing that? Thank you again!

[@MrBazsi888]

Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8

[@WalldoTheWInner]

Very helpful. Thanks Terry!

[@tv510]

Glad you like it Paul.

[@tv510]

It was filmed at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley! Thanks for watching.

[@apdodger]

Thanks a lot, great tips!

[@ashiolam]

Hi Terry thanks for your video can you suggest me what is good for bird photography and wildlife photography...monopod or tripod...i have canon 7D and 100-400 tele zoom lens

[@GeraldThomasphotojunkie]

Great tips thanks!

[@chrispoulsen_]

Love you are wearing a Titleist cap 🤩

[@GDoggProductions]

Straight to the point and very well documented 😄👋🏾💯 Thank you ! I'll definitely be keeping the one that came with my camera bundle 😅👍🏾

[@tv510]

Glad you like it GDogg!

[@cbrahmandam]

Thank you for the wonderful video Terry. Really informative.. Just bought one and was looking for a few tips. Just out of curiosity.. What model tripod were us using in the beginning of the video?

[@tv510]

That was a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@tv510]

Thanks for sharing the video, too!

[@bellebr]

Nice video! Thanks for sharing your experience :)

[@shiz1246]

Thanks for sharing! I learned some good tips

[@tv510]

Super, glad you liked it!

[@tv510]

I currently use a Gitzo Monopod, however any monopod that is sturdy should do the trick. You may want to look at Really Right Stuff. I have some of their equipment and I like it very much. As far as avoiding camera shake - just run the ISO up to level that gets you shooting at 1/500 or faster and/or use a flash.

[@RetoxMedia]

Really pleasant to watch.

[@TheVisualised]

Great Job, man.

[@tv510]

You have to guess focus. It's not a difficult as you might think, just focus on something about the same distance away on the ground and then run it up, shoot and check out your results. When shooting events with a wide angle, I use a f 8 or 9 so I am well covered with depth of field. When using auto focus, always let it focus on something about the same distance as you turn on the timer, because it may hold that first focus distance as the shutter is initiated.

[@tcwhite0104]

use a remote on Auto. Problem solved.

[@tv510]

The first lens is an 85mm, The large lens is a 200mm f/2, when talking about stability I am using a 50mm, when I use the monopod as an extender, I am using a 14mm.

[@MyAmericanMorning]

I do mostly hand-held landscapes and nature shots with a Nikon D7000 and kit lenses. I want the best results I can get with this gear I can afford. A monopod sounds like it might help me. If the lens has VR, do you leave VR on when using the monopod? This is a great video, btw. I subscribed to your channel because of it.

[@tv510]

Thanks, I have more planned.

[@RyanPrentiss]

Great video!

[@tv510]

Glad it will work for you.

[@tv510]

That is the perfect situation for using a monopod. Generally you will have to move around to track your subjects and the monopod is excellent for moving from one place to another quickly. Also that lens doesn't appear to be all that heavy so again a monopod is perfect for your set up. However, if you want to sit in a blind and have your subjects come to you a tripod would be more comfortable.

[@tv510]

Yes, a monopod can be useful for steading just about any camera. I have used it with my iPhone (and iPhone tripod bracket) from time to time. Good luck!

[@geekchristian]

Great advice Terry, how about a few more on photography! :)

[@1717jbs]

great video. Thanks.

[@mediatutorial4080]

Excellent episode. 😍 .

[@tv510]

+Media.Tutorial Glad you like it!

[@vastgoedwrap]

Man you have a real dutch name. Leuk om te zien! en je erg handige tips!! bedankt. Thanks for the handy tips, really helpfull!!

[@tonibetzner263]

Great video. If you are mounting the monopod to the camera instead of the lense, do you need a mount or cage for the camera?

[@tv510]

No, just as long as the lens it not too heavy. It is best to find the center of balance in a rig like this and mount the monopod there.

[@RiffardJG]

Nice little lesson there. Good job.

[@tv510]

RiffardJG , thanks glad you like it.

[@DerekKroeker]

Good Tips! Thanks!

[@theaprum1]

Useful tips, thank you.

[@tv510]

Glad you like it!

[@distantport]

you are the man!!! thank You

[@MikeMcCune]

Nice! What would you say is the max exposure you can get with a monopod without inducing camera shake with say a 50mm lens as an example? 1/3? 1/10?

[@TheSpuggman]

great video with some really handy tips.....thanks ;-)

[@MorrisetteMedia]

Good stuff!

[@seanconery8836]

Nice tricks !! Thank you.

[@tv510]

Glad you like them! It's been a while since I produced that video, but not much as changed in the world of the monopod. I good tool to have. Thanks for watching.

[@kellycreech7794]

Great presentation Terry. What brand is the one you are using? thanks

[@tv510]

It’s a Gitzo carbon fiber. I’ve had it for years and I still use it today!

[@anne-marierecour8460]

Brilliant tips, thank you. Any brand and type you would like to recommend?

[@MrBazsi888]

Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8

[@tv510]

I have a Gitzo that has lasted for years!

[@robijunior1998]

I love the Video. Can you please get more videos like this, like Wildlife photography. Thanks.

[@jonkydawson8423]

Enjoyed it ... thanks! Like your rotating ball idea..

[@tv510]

Thanks Jonathan! The ball head does work fantastic!

[@tv510]

Depending on your lens, you should be able to safely go from 1/60th to 1/25 using a monopod. But everyone is different. The most I've tried is sharp images at about 1/8th.

[@aiquelindo]

very good sir. thank you for the tips!

[@tv510]

Hi Aiquelindo,I'm happy that you like the monopod video, more to come.

[@valdezapg]

good video thank you

[@kgsfitness7806]

Thank you. This was helpful. Question: after you set the timer and lift it up to get the overhead shot…how does the camera know what to focus on…especially if you want to focus in on just the bride or just the groom?

[@tv510]

I simply use a wide lens and estimate about how far the subject is, focus on someone about that distance, then keep the focus on manual, shoot at f/11 for plenty of depth of field, usually no issues.

[@tomgreg2008]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@tv510]

Tom Greg glad you like it.

[@MrArunavadatta]

Very useful suggestions!

[@tv510]

+Arunava Datta Thanks, Glad you like it!

[@bonsailady]

Terry thanks for sharing your video. Can I ask what kind of Monopod do you have? I want exactly monopod like what you have.

[@tv510]

I have a Gitzo G1588 mk - this is a graphite version. Since the video I have added a Really Right Stuff ball head. Good luck!

[@lovelorn8]

Thank you so much