When to use a tripod

It never hurts to use a tripod, but when do you need one? If all your photography is outdoors during the day, you probably don't need one unless you use telephoto lenses. If you are inside under normal household lighting, and you don't want to use a flash, then a tripod becomes necessary. As a general rule, if you don't like the look of flash, use a tripod where ever your camera would decide to use the flash.

If you want to have pictures showing blurred motion, like having people walking appear as a blur, a tripod is required, and a slow shutter speed on the camera. Another cool thing to do if you have a tripod is nighttime photography, where the shutter is left open for a number of minutes, and the ambient light illuminates the subject. This works well on a night with a full moon.

Anytime you're going to get really close to something, a tripod is a good idea. This picture was taken in fairly low light in a forest, less than a foot from the moss. Without a tripod it would have never turned out well.