Tripods are often quoted as photography’s most hated accessory but it’s hard to see why so many photographers view them so adversely. It may be because of the bulk and weight they add to a photographer’s kit – or perhaps because the high ISO capabilities of many recently-released cameras allow camera users to feel a tripod isn’t necessary. But shooting with high ISO settings incurs a cost in the form of increased noise and compromised sharpness. Furthermore, using a tripod can dramatically improve shots like portraits and low-light scenes. Finally, there are situations where you simply can’t take the shot unless the camera is on a tripod.