This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,067, Sept. 1, 2026. Today's theme is, "The Last Time I Used a Tripod." I'm Derrick Story.
Last Thursday night I was standing in a school parking lot with the Sony RX10 around my neck preparing to take pictures of the lunar eclipse. As I was waiting for a break in the clouds, I wondered, "When is the last time I used a tripod?" It's a question that says a lot about cameras these days, and it's the top story of this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1067
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The Last Time I Used a Tripod
Normally, when photographing a lunar eclipse, I wouldn't be using a Sony RX10 V with a 1" sensor. But I have this unit on loan and wanted to see how far I could push it.
If you want to read the entire story about this endeavor, with photos of the event itself, check out my Live View article, How Far Can You Push a 1" Sensor.
Traditionally speaking, the camera choice wasn't the most unusual thing that evening. The fact that I had no tripod with me, was.
The last time I photographed the eclipse was May 2021. We were in the middle of the COVID pandemic and standing out in the chilly night air at 4:30 in the morning was one of the few photo activities available at the time.
I remember getting ready for the shoot. I selected my Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 zoom and mounted the rig on one of my tripods. The ISO was set at 1600 for a 1/15th of a second exposure. Fortunately, the sky was clear that night and I got a great shot. It's hanging on the wall at home.
That wasn't the last time I used a tripod, however. Later that year, in November, we were photographing the Heceta Head Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast at dusk. Everyone was using telephotos and long exposures, including me. I don't remember which tripod I had, but I did need one to get the effect I wanted.
After that, there was a long stretch without my 3-legged friend. Then, in September 2025, a former client of mine asked my to shoot executive portraits for her current employer. I wasn't taking on business assignments any more, but I agreed to help as a favor. She had been a great client for years.
We set up in a back room at their offices. I had a backdrop, four lights, and yes, a tripod. Business head shots was the only time I used tripods for portraits because we were usually shooting many different subjects in a short period of time, and it was more efficient having everything dialed in and locked down. The portraits looked great.
And I think that was the last time I used a tripod.
Quite honestly, I don't enjoy using them. I came up through the ranks as a photojournalist. After that, I started my own business photographing weddings and events. These days it's outdoor life, street photography, and workshops. None of those situations require tripods.
The amazing image stabilization in my OM System cameras have further distanced me from the three-legged beast. Not to mention computational magic like Live ND. The Nikon Zf also has great sensor-based IS. And I really like traveling light and working fast.
Now don't get me wrong: I'm not anti-tripod. Some of my best friends use them. And generally for good reason. It's difficult to line up the perfect architecture shot without them.
But they're just not for me. I've had a Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod in the back of my ID.4 for a year that I haven't pulled out once. Even it, in all of its beautiful nimbleosity, is ignored.
So, going back to Thursday night, standing in the school parking lot looking up at the solar eclipse, it was just me and my two legs. I jacked the ISO up to 12,800, extended the telephoto to 300 mm at f/4, held the camera steady, and fired away whenever I could get a glimpse of the moon peaking at me behind the light cloud cover.
The next morning, I updated Lightroom so it could decode the RX10 V RAW files, applied Denoise to my favorite shot and wrote an article about the adventure.
The technology we have on both sides of the photographic equation - capture and post processing - is amazing. I can't believe that I came away with a publishable shot that evening.
Maybe someday I'll put that Peak Design Tripod to use. Maybe.
This Week in the News
Ricoh confirms hotly-anticipated "x" version of the GR IV enthusiast compact as featured on DPReview.com
OM System Teases New Pen Series Camera Launch on September 9 as featured on PetaPixel.com
Mark your calendars: Apple's next event is September 9th as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Compacts and APS-C mirrorless are the only growing camera categories - does this prove that price and portability beat picture quality? as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
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