Climbing photography tricks-using a tripod - part 3

Updated: Mar 18, 2018

Klemen is climbing one of the hardest routes in Margalef, the route Barques balls and I belay and shoot at the same time.

Well the previous blog I have learned you how to use the camera in climbing photography and their settings on hand. Now I will talk about, what if I have two jobs at the same time, like women do all the time:=). I will teach you some secrets of climbing photography when I have to belay a partner and shoot at the same time.

So, let's get party started!

1. Take a tripod to the crag and remote controls

I use Manfrotto 190 tripod or Joby gorilla. Remote controls medium class should work good. If you don't have remote controls, phone is optional which works over wifi on camera. Tripod and the head should be very good quality and don't buy cheaper one. You do not wanna stay without camera and the pictures as well. Always make sure that the tripod is stable and the head hold the camera. There are bunch youtube tutorials about how to use a tripod.

2. Setting of my camera

I have Aperture priority ex. mode : A, F8-F11 , Metering I put on Center-weighted mode, ISO as low as possible, Shutter speed camera chooses itself for best results but sometimes I put (exposure value) EV to +1/3 or -1/3, depends on light and clouds. I focus the point of interest with AF mode and then I rotate focus-mode selector from AF to M(button lies on left side on Nikon's cameras) Warning!: Each manufacturer of cameras and lenses has own restriction about rotating AF to M mode! read instruction before using a camera!". The focus now is locked. VR is OFF, because the camera is on tripod. Then I test a shot with remote controls. If it's everything good, then I go belay and while belaying I shoot.

Exposure mode is on Aperture priority : A

VR is OFF in most cases. When is windy I put VR ON. If it's too much wind I don't risk my camera, so I don't shoot. Focus the point of interest with A focus mode, in midd time you still holding the shutter button you turn from A to M focus mode. That focus point is locked now.

3. Find a good shooting spot for tripod

Now you are at the crag and go exploring the field, then the position of tripod can be from left to the right of the crag. Use different angles from where you will shoot, it's the same like on hand, just in this time your hand is tripod. Put tripod very carefully and stable, I hang weight on tripod and sometimes I put a sling around camera and clip in first bolt or tied on tree with loose rope for just in case, if something unexpected happened and my camera would fall. Before I put my camera on tripod, I tested some shots from hand to see if composition is good, I put it there and set up the camera and tested with remote controls and go to my belay position and tested again if it's everything works and then I start to belay my partner.

4. Common compositions from tripod

I usually use higher ledges from side spot. You can use also from other side, trough trees, just make sure that the focus is on climber and the trees are blurred, but not too much, so keep F8-F11. In most cases I make pictures more landscape than close-ups, but I try everything. Just playing with that all the time and improving technique.

5. Always make sure that is safe to do it!

When you start playing with remote controls, never forget for climber's safety. Don't shoot when is for climber very hard and he/she might fall. Pay attention for belaying and not shooting. You can shoot when he/she rests or she/he is doing nice moves but never exposed you partner to be in uncomfortable situation because they reliable on you in case they fall. Keep in mind that you come there to climb, belay and have fun. Taking pictures is just bonus.

6. Bad things about shooting with remote controls

Sometimes remote controls doesn't work, so I can't shoot. That happened with long distance between camera and me or there are some corner, rock in between. So better to buy better remote controls than cheap one.

Somewhere in beautiful French Alps climbing in sector LA Saume with 1 hour approach and carrying heavy gear it's worth made a picture with a nice background, Briancon region..

The photo was taken from edge with Joby gorilla tripod.

Sport sector in Canelles valley in Figols area, Catalunya, Spain. Here the hardest is approach, 1 hour and half if you don't lost the path. The photo was taken from edge with Joby gorilla tripod.