The monopod definition, relating to digital photography: the monopod is a one-legged camera support.
Why should you care? Monopods can serve several useful functions for you, similar to tripods, but in a simpler, lighter format.
The Wiki definition of monopod: a single staff or pole used to help support cameras, video cameras, binoculars, rifles or other precision instruments in the field. The monopod allows a still camera to be held steadier, allowing the photographer to take sharp pictures at slower shutter speeds.
That's a pretty simple explanation of what monopods are and what they are used for, but there are other benefits as well.
The primary use of a monopod is to support the weight of a camera to stabilize it and eliminate blur from camera movement. I've also used monopods for a variety of related uses.
1. These including raising a camera to elevated heights to get a different perspective on a subject.
2. You can use your monopod to horizontally pan quickly from one subject to the next when shooting video.
3. You can get sharper images with longer lenses at slower shutter speeds.
4. You can use a monopod to extend a light-blocking shield when you arms aren't long enough.
5. You can use your monopod like a hiking pole and stave off wild animals when they attack.
Monopods don't automatically come with the ability to tilt or swing your camera to different angles without the use of a rotating head, such as a ball head or pan/tilt head.
You can easily pan from side to side without a special head, but it's awkward to tilt side to side and upward or downward.
A fun and easy to use camera accessory that you can have a blast with and improve your photography. Go ahead. Search for yourself!
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Play around with your monopod
Bruce
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