It is all about technique. Once I have group of students here and I show them the proper way to use a monopod, they all get one.

Do share what monopod you buy? I can see the usefulness in that.

I'd like to know what you think is the best tripod and monopod.

Monopod. Weight, min. length, max. length, and perhaps price are main factors. You want one that is taller than you are! Never get twist locks. Only flip locks !! My all time favorite for many years - Giottos MML 3290B. No longer being made. Last time I looked Amazon still had a new one. Get it used. Great bargain. Newest and best - Benro MAD4A aluminum, Benro MAD4C carbon fiber. Price difference. $67 - $150. I own all 3. Strap and padded grip. All are able to be used on both sizes of tripod screws. Gene

Can you tell us the proper way to use one?

I tried again with mine today, and find that a) I actually sway more as I try to use it for support; b) it's fiddly, and c) it just makes it harder to position the camera where I want it. Must be doing something wrong!

I have never met a student who did use one properly. I would have to demonstrate in person.

I would not use a monopod for just any subject. Flowers in general, probably not. Macro pictures - yes indeed. Butterflies, dragonflies, spider webs and such, yes. Scenery probably not. Portraits yes and no. Wild birds, yes. Unless the lens is over say 5 lb. and I am not walking too far, then tripod. My biggest, longest lens is about 13 lb. tripod only.

Well I think I know what you mean, Della. Part of it is that you are more aware of the camera movement when it is on the monopod, because the monopod is rigid with one stability point whereas your body is not. Still though, I think you might be (inadvertently) trying to balance the camera on the monopod, attempting to have it do all the work. No-can-do, in my opinion. Try holding the camera with the monopod on but not grounded, and then put the monopod leg to the ground gently, and perhaps you will notice an equilibrium point, after which the swaying becomes "violent".

But I have a big confession here: I don't own a monopod. I will use the odd two-by-four piece of wood (or one-by-one, etc.), or whatever is handy. Sometimes it's a rock. It's not always vertical either. If I use such a "monopod", more often than not, I will have another axis of stability, perhaps my knee if I am sitting. (No weird contortions here, I usually shoot with the tilting display screen rather than the viewfinder. It is incredibly useful with the camera near ground level.)

Thanks Gene and Rick. I find getting in close for those macro shots is when it gets most awkward and hardest to use. For little things close to the ground the nearest flat(ish) rock is a whole lot more user friendly.

I'll try paying more attention to just how much downward force I can apply without making it sway.

gasrocks said:Contest: A vs. B. A - great subject in average light. B - average subject in great light. B wins every single time!

except here

Gene, do you do video? no way I'm coming to Wisconsin to see you demo a monopod

But you should. And, as long as you are here.......

Never gonna happen--I spent 10 long years in Minnesocold--I escaped!
Seriously though, get one of your students to video your classes for us

I should send you copyright material for free? But seriously I have a strict rule that no one gets to record mu classes. Once long ago someone recorded a class (audio) without asking me first. I am not politically correct all the time, or most of the time actually. A big thing where I teach. I let go with a couple of "French" words and they took the recording to my boss.

I get that--
There is a whole world out there beyond where you teach, though. Might be worth considering some independent options to reach a wider audience and experience the freedom to speak whatever language suits you best.
Then, instead of setting up a composition thread with a dead end like this

gasrocks said: ....I do not have the time, patience or typing skills to answer that here...

you could refer us to the site that hosts your classes and we could choose to take them...
and when you inform us that no one uses equipment properly...if we had the option to see your mad skills, see how you teach a student to improve their technique...
It'd be worth a lot more than it is as it is...
Hmm, I don't know what I'd pay for the privilege to view some copyrighted video of monopod edification...something anyway...and if you had a million views for $1...
Wow, now that I dream about it for you, if done well, you could have a very popular and lucrative web-based photography classroom! And, just think of the discussions and sharing students from all over the place could have with each other.

Well, it was fun to think about for a minute.

Mostly, I just wanted to point out that 'B' doesn't win every contest every single time.
Back to your regularly scheduled programing...

OK. Please some perspective here. I am not on Facebook. I do not do social media. This whole idea of making money, sharing off the internet is new to me and, sounds like more than I want or need to do right now. I have 2 well to do students who fly here about once a year for refreshers. My advice, look at all the pictures I post on this site - Garden Photos, Share your pictures + Photography threads I post in. Study them and learn? I will never post any of my best pictures on the net as I still try to sell pictures and posting is like giving them away. Gene

Teaching asks for many skills, amongst which are technical ones that Gene seems to master. Others seem imho, are lacking.... I'm discontinuing to watch this thread.

Hello,
I was always told that the 'magical' time for photos was 1 to 2 hours at dawn and 1 to 2 before the sun set. I really enjoy photography and enjoy the walk in the forest and the conversations about the shots afterwards just as much. Happy snapping. Cheers. 📷📷

I think those are beautiful, Moran3!

Thanks. I'm learning about and enjoying photography. Cheers.

Photography is more than 'all about light'. It is about content, design and even the purpose of the photograph. Not every photo taken is shot to be published in a book, not all are up to the standards of a photo contest winning image. Some of us shoot to remember an event or a person. Some take photos to record a particular plant or time of day. Worrying if you are taking the 'perfect' shot takes the pleasure out of photography.

I also have many of my photos published and many have been bought at my photography exhibits. I also teach and have taught at the college level at several universities, as well as adult learning classes. I do lectures for many organizations as well as Garden Shows. Most people are not photography experts and enjoy photographs of varied expertise. In all my lectures, I never had a person complain that the photograph was not perfect! My audience was more interested in learning about the subject that was being illustrated by the photographs. The subject may have been Plants of the Bible, Travel in Provence, France, Hydrangeas in my large collection or many other titles. My advise to photographers is to shoot, shoot and shoot some more. If it is not the perfect time of day - shoot anyway, you might get lucky. If you don't have the perfect lens - shoot anyway - you may never get the chance a second time. Photography is a wonderful hobby! Have fun - the great thing about digital is that you just delete the ones that don't come out - but keep them all for at least one year - you never know what you will need for another purpose.