Setting Up Your Tripod for Use on Ground Level

When you shoot in the ultra wide-angle format, getting down to ground level helps create the best image. In this video, professional outdoor photographer Ian Plant gives you tips on ground-level setups.

For ultra-wide photographs, it is important that your tripod gets you close to the ground. In one tripod brand, you can use a ground-level adapter that removes the center column and extends the legs fully. Another tripod has a removable center column. Ian even suggests setting your camera on a bean bag on the ground.

Join pro shooter Ian Plant for methods on using the ground to assist in making creative images with the ultra wide-angle lens.

See all of the videos in our Ultra-Wide Landscape Course:

Ultra-Wide Landscape—Course Preview
Introduction to Ultra Wide-Angle Photography
When to Use an Ultra Wide-Angle Lens
Shooting Near and Far with an Ultra Wide-Angle Lens
Focus-Stacking Photography with an Ultra-Wide Lens
How to Prevent Lens Flare
Shooting Interiors with an Ultra-Wide Lens
Retouching Focus-Stacked Images
Setting Up Your Tripod for Use on Ground Level
Blending Exposures Using Photoshop
Wide-Angle Lens Distortion Correction