How do you know when to use a tripod and when to go strictly hand held?

Experience will tell you.

NetDep @ Akaka Falls, Hawai'i

But until you actually gain that experience let’s explore the benefits and the pitfalls of using a tripod.

One of the most frequently asked questions from newer photographers is “Is that lens sharp?” Truthfully, in today’s age, most lenses are sharp enough. In fact, it isn’t until you start reaching the upper echelons of fine tuned photography that you will be able to tell whether or not your lens is sharp enough for you. The real question you should be asking yourself is “Can I take this picture hand held or do I need a tripod?”

Camera shake caused by unsteady hands and too slow shutter speeds is often the real cause of blurry images. I suppose it would be easy to just say “Always use a tripod” but that certainly isn’t the case. If you’re at the beach on a sunny day you surely won’t need a tripod. Conversely, if you’re at magic hour and working on a landscape you will probably need a tripod.

Tripods are great because the allow you to use slower shutter speeds while increasing your depth of field. You’ll be able to get detail throughout your image without all of the noise that comes with pushing your camera to ISO 800 or more. Of course most of this depends on how much light your working with. The problem arises when life happens fast, like street photography, or photographing your 3yr old.

The old rule of thumb was that you wanted to use a shutter speed equal to or faster than your focal length. So if you’re using a 50mm you need a shutter speed of 1/50 or faster to go hand held (don’t forget that cropped sensors require math). The shakiness of your own hands will determine whether or not you need to speed it up or whether you can slow it down a stop. Once again, experience will tell you. If you’re going hand held you can use a couple tricks to help you get sharper images; sitting with your elbows resting on something stable, leaning against a wall, etc.

Remember that Murphy’s Law rules in photography. You’ll hate carrying your tripod all day without the need for it, and wish you had it when you left it at home. That’s just how it goes.

I suggest keeping one with you at all times. Perhaps one in the trunk of your car, and a gorillapod in your bag. You should be able to get by a little easier that way.

Photograph NetDep @ Akaka Falls, Hawaii by NetDep

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