The Best Tripod for Food Photography

The Best Tripod for Food Photography is an easy one! I am yet to come across a better recommendation then investing in a good solid Manfrotto tripod. I work with professional photographers as a stylist and they all use Manfrotto.

When 6 months ago I bought my first dSLR, lens and processing system, I was sure I wanted to buy a tripod too. But as chance would have it, the vendor didn’t had it. Then I got busy exploring the camera alone with trial and error and more.

Though I had been using manual function of my compact camera for a long time, the transition to understand dslr was still there. I made trial & error and took lot of practice shots to understand few things.

I did speak about joining a food photography critique group here, and how it has been helping me. While it continues to do so, my thirst for knowledge and betterment makes me explore various opportunities to learn more.

After a while I realised that I need a tripod to start shooting less hurried and more planned shots. The shooting scene at my place is always chaotic, with little time at hand and styling a dish with holding a camera in one hand became very cumbersome.

This made me realise that I need to have both my hands free to start styling and composing better. Along with the desire to work on slow shutter speed and higher ISO.

Every food portfolio needs to have a pour or frozen shot to show your capabilities and I also desired the same.

So came in the tripod. And I must say it has been the best investment I could make. It gave me all the above and much more but like any technology it is easier to get too dependent on it. The laziness creeps in and you don’t seem aware.

Now I compose my shoot in 10 mins with much relative peace and freedom and able to keep changing the shot I feel satisfied and not worry about the camera angle getting changed.

But as I said that laziness will soon set in, so I try to take some hand-held shots after I have done the setting to get more mileage.

A wise photographer said, before winding up always take these 2 angles – 45 degree (roughly) and close up of food. I try to keep these words in mind and click these 2 angles over and above the ones I set up for,

Oh I forgot to tell you which tripod I bought, i didn’t want to invest in cheap one for a short while and then a sturdier one later on as I believe in buying the best keeping in mind my future needs. So I went in for a Manfrotto MK 055X PRO 3 – BH which is a kit with ball head (498 RC2) and a centre column which can turn at 90 degree to give you birds’ eye view or overhead shot.

It can hold upto 9 kgs of weight which should take care of my most lenses and need. The usage is very easy and comfortable to use. The locks on the legs are very easy to use while the camera is mounted. I am very satisfied with the product.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid by Manfrotto for this post. I researched and bought this tripod out of my own choice and loving every moment of it. All the above food shots are my fun-trial shots with tripod.