Controlling Camera Movement

Devices to control camera movement, which include tripods, monopods, and stabilizers, can be used for smooth pans, tilts, and moving shots. Other uses include stabilizing and leveling your shots on uneven terrain, shooting from a very high or very low point of view, etc.

One of the first, best things a budding filmmaker can do to improve one's work is to get and learn to use a tripod or monopod.

Generally speaking, the action should be in front of the camera, and the camera should remain stable. Exceptions are made, to achieve certain effects, e.g.,

• emulating the point of view of a walking/running person
• maintaining a constant perspective on a person or object that is moving.

In the first case (The Blair Witch Project comes to mind), you might accept all the jiggles and jumps of a handheld camera.  Professionals use a dolly on track (a "tracking shot") for the second effect, or a camera person uses a "Steadicam" device, which uses counterweights to isolate the camera from the unsteadiness of the person holding it. One of the first uses of the Steadicam was to follow Rocky up the museum steps and circle him like a swooping bird.

But for most shots, you're looking for rock-solid stability.  As a rule, stability means more weight, and also more expense.  Buy as much stability as you can reasonably afford.

When the weight or size is a problem, such as when you're project is a vacation video, opt for a monopod, which may weight less than a pound, and collapse to a size that will fit in your suitcase.

Check out this run-down on specific devices, which include build-it-yourself stabilizers as well as some recommended commercial devices, here:

Tripods, Monopods, and Other Camera Stabilizers