"Professional photographers use tripods in studio photography."
"A tripod ensures you get the same shot each time."
There's a lot of good advice out there about why you need a tripod for your photo ID card solution. They make sense, and if professional photographers consider them a necessity for portraits or landscapes, you should probably use one, too.
Why you need a tripod for your photo ID cards
Set up a tripod a specific distance from your subject. Use the same backdrop for every photograph. When you control each aspect of your employee or student ID photos, you get consistent results. Most companies require professional looking ID cards, and it's up to you to produce them. So, portrait photographers use tripods mainly because:
- Not everyone has the steady hands of a surgeon. Say you had an extra cup of coffee that morning and you're a little jittery. It will show in your employee/student photographs. You can eliminate even the slightest unsteady hands by using a tripod. While professionals might know how to adjust shutter speed to compensate for unsteady hands, keep your photos professional with a tripod.
- Having the camera removed from your immediate grip forces you to study the scene better. This helps you make sure your photographs come out the same, at the same distance, and with the same settings as all others. Consistency is a plus for employee and student ID badges.
- The camera can become a barrier between you and your subject. When your camera is on a tripod, your subject can focus on what you're saying and suggesting instead of the camera pointed their way. You'll get a more relaxed, natural photo.
How to use a tripod
While it's important to have your camera on a stable base, it's just as important to use a remote control or a self-timer to take the shot so you're not fiddling with the camera. The key is to stabilize your shots consistently with each photograph.
A tripod helps you set the scene up perfectly in your viewfinder before taking the shot. Make sure your camera is seated tightly on the tripod and the legs are all locked in firmly.
Next frame your composition. If you're lucky enough to have a separate location just for taking employee or student ID photos, keep the tripod, your subject's seat, and the backdrop in the same place. If you need to tear down your photo site after each use, consider using some way to mark the floor for where each piece of the scene must sit.
Pick out the right tripod for your needs
Tripods are pretty similar but choosing the right one to fit your situation makes better sense. For example, choose an adjustable tripod as tall as you so you need not stoop to look in the viewfinder. The tripod should situate the camera at your eye level so you can get the best composition and shot possible.
If your tripod reaches higher than your eye level, it will still work because you just adjust the legs a little shorter to fit.
Some tripods come with adjustable/removable feet for both indoor and outdoor use, but if your employee ID photo program is stationary, this might not be a consideration.
When not to use a tripod
If you must travel to your employees/students to take their photos, tripods can be cumbersome and heavy. And setup time takes longer with a tripod. You can always find something else on which to put your camera if you feel your hands aren't steady enough for the shot.
Tripods are difficult to use in a crowded environment. So if you don't have a separate area to set up your ID photo system, a tripod could very well be in the way.
They take time to set up and get ready. If you have limited time to take employee or student photographs, it makes more sense to skip the tripod and use whatever is close to hand.
Final thoughts
If you have a separate location where you can leave your photo ID equipment set up, then a tripod is a must-have item. Not only does it ensure consistency between photographs, but it helps you get the most professional results possible.
But if you're traveling to get photos of employees or students, tripods can be one extra hassle you might not need. Consider how you can use a table, a pile of books, or another steady surface on which to place your camera for a stable photograph.
If you're uncertain whether you need a tripod, contact an Idesco ID Expert at 212-889-2530. We have over 75 years of experience to help you make sure you get only the equipment you need to create the perfect ID photo solution.