Wyndham Wisdom

PHOTO TIPS: STEADY ON

These tiny tripods get big results

By Bob Krist

It seems ironic that even though you may now own the most compact, capable and megapixel-laden camera you've ever had, you might not be getting the sharpest pictures. That's because as cameras become smaller and lighter, it's harder and harder to hold them steady. Short of lugging around a big tripod, how can you help your tiny pocket camera, smartphone or Flip video live up to its imaging potential? Luckily, there's a number of affordable, highly portable accessories on the market.

BOTTLED UP
That water bottle you carry can serve more than one purpose. The Dynomighty Bottle Cap Tripod ($10; dynomighty.com) fits over the tops of most water, wine or beer bottles and provides a screw so you can attach a point-and-shoot or smartphone (all tripod mount sockets are a standardized size). The result: a handy and sturdy support. Needless to say, this pod works best with a full bottle of liquid.

FULL OF BEANS
Pro wildlife photographers have long known that a bag of dried beans makes a great camera support, molding to the shape of your camera and whatever surface it's on, and absorbing vibration. The latest version is the Bean Pod (thepod.ca; from $19), made of abrasion-resistant nylon with high-tech plastic pellets and that universal mounting screw. Sizes vary; for bigger cameras or camcorders, select a larger model with an off-center screw, so the heavier part of the camera can rest on the bag.

CLAMP IT
The Clamp Pod (adorama.com; from $13) is a hybrid tabletop tripod and C-clamp that lets you stabilize your camera on a flat surface, or clamp it firmly to anything about two inches thick or less--a godsend with heavier or more expensive cameras. If you're going to hang your Flip video outside the door of your tuk-tuk as it careens through the streets of Bangkok, you'll want something like this to make sure you still have the camera at the end of the ride.

GORILLA TACTIC
With its flexible, articulated legs made of plastic knuckle joints instead of straight metal, the aptly named Gorillapod (joby.com; from $20) can simply be set up on a flat surface or attached to almost any three-dimensional object: It can cling to a doorframe or wrap around a branch, railing, chairback and more. Some models offer magnetic feet, which opens up a whole other range of mounting possibilities. Gorillapods come in a number of sizes, so consult the website to find the one that suits your camera's size and weight. If you're the kind of photographer who likes to hang from the rafters, this is your pod.