I have loved Platypod from the very beginning. In fact, up until recently, it was my only tripod of sorts. I couldn’t even afford a tripod so I used my Platypod everywhere. I honestly didn’t need anything else. I was excited to use the Platypod Max on a TV show I was invited to be on to discuss my expertise in shooting night sky photos. What better way to showcase one of my already favorite tools on an international level? The day before shooting we were scouting locations and I didn’t bother taking any BTS as the BTS I wanted would include … [Read more...] about My (Un)Typical Review Of The Platypod Max
Platypod Max
Photographing a Dangerous and Extreme Force of Nature, Wildfires!
Nature is extraordinarily complex and beautiful. It is easy to forget in our modern world just how powerful its forces are. Being a nature photographer presents constant, humbling reminders of this fact! A large part of what drives me is wanting to experience every facet of nature, then create and share images of these forces at work. In doing so, I am often going into potentially dangerous situations for me and my gear. In my part of the world, wildfires are a necessity to the health of our ecosystems. But, they are, to put it bluntly, … [Read more...] about Photographing a Dangerous and Extreme Force of Nature, Wildfires!
Get Ready to Remote, Part 2: Advanced Camera Traps
There are places that can be too difficult to stay with a camera and shoot, there are events that are too dangerous to be around when they occur, and there are animals that are too shy of humans to ever get near to photograph. This is when photographers turn to using Photo or Camera Traps, a way to capture these types of images or video from a distance by remote control. In part 1 of this series, I covered the fundamentals of creating a simple remote camera trap. Now that you have that skill in your proverbial photography toolbox, let's … [Read more...] about Get Ready to Remote, Part 2: Advanced Camera Traps
Get Ready to Remote, Part 1: Simple Camera Traps For Wildlife
Go out into the great outdoors. Find a place that animals like to hang out when people aren't around. Set up your camera to automatically take a photo of them when they do show up. Leave it there. Come back tomorrow to see if you got any shots. Repeat it all over again until you get the awesome shots you want of those shy, hard to photograph animals. Welcome to Remote Camera Traps! In previous articles, I've shared the different ways I've used Platypods in my photography. Possibly one of the best uses I have found is in helping set up a … [Read more...] about Get Ready to Remote, Part 1: Simple Camera Traps For Wildlife
InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast May 26, 2017
The Photofocus InFocus Interview Show for May 26, 2017. I’m your host, Vanelli. On today's show, Levi Sim interviews travel photographer and Panasonic Rep, Mark Toal followed by Platypod inventor, Larry Tiefenbrunn. Mark talks about how he got into photography and how micro 4/3 cameras allow him to always have a camera with him. He shares his insights on what makes his photos compositionally intriguing and how living in different locations has influenced his photography. Larry talks about finding inspiration, some excellent resources for … [Read more...] about InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast May 26, 2017
Platypod Ultra – The Best Alternative to a Tripod
Let’s get a few things out of the way before I get to the review. I’ve bought five Platypod Pros and three Platypod Max units for myself in the past. I’ve stashed a Platypod in every camera bag and even my car’s glovebox. I’ve loved the original Platypod Pro (review) and the Platypod Max (review). I can call the inventor and offer feedback. I appear on the Kickstarter page and offer a testimonial because I believe in the products so much. What is It? The Platypod Ultra is a tripod alternative. It combines with virtually … [Read more...] about Platypod Ultra – The Best Alternative to a Tripod
Photofocus Products of the Year – Levi Sim
Editor’s Note: It’s time for something new. In the past, Photofocus has made it a practice of acknowledging a specific camera and/or lens as the “camera/lens” of the year. This year several of us are putting together a list including camera and lens choices along with a few other pieces of gear that we think you’ll like. While it’s not designed specifically as a holiday gift guide, this list does happen to be a resource for photographers (and their friends/family) who want to get the ball rolling on their holiday shopping. A few things … [Read more...] about Photofocus Products of the Year – Levi Sim
Don’t Bring a Wide-Angle Lens, Just Make Panos
Making pictures on a photowalk or hike should be enjoyable and relatively stress-free. One way to reduce your stress is to carry less equipment. A small kit makes your body lighter and helps you keep going longer. Bring a prime lens and stretch your vision by framing with your feet instead of lazily zooming in and out to frame a shot. This go-light method is terrific until you see a wonderful picture that just doesn't fit in the lens you brought. Fortunately, you've got tools available to help you make the most of even that tough … [Read more...] about Don’t Bring a Wide-Angle Lens, Just Make Panos
How to Compensate for a Lightweight Tripod
Maybe you're on a trip and you only brought a lightweight tripod, or maybe you were seduced into buying that cheap tripod that came in a package with your camera. Either way, you'll find that using a lightweight tripod often ruins the pictures you're trying to make. A tripod is supposed to be a steady platform for shooting, but if it's too light then a breeze can make the whole thing shake during an exposure and ruin the picture with movement blur. The following techniques will help you get the most from your lightweight tripod even in less … [Read more...] about How to Compensate for a Lightweight Tripod
Platypod Pro Max – Hiding a Big Light in a Small Space
The Platypod Pro Max is very versatile. Attaching a ballhead and camera makes it as rock solid as a tripod with the advantage of being able to place it almost anywhere. By attaching an Avenger 5/8-Inch Stud, you can mount a large studio light and hide it in a small space behind your subject without getting it in the shot. This gives a photographer freedom to shoot from different angles without having to use the subject to hide a light stand. Here’s how to hide a big light in a small space using the Platypod Pro Max. Attaching a strobe to a … [Read more...] about Platypod Pro Max – Hiding a Big Light in a Small Space
Get a Grip with Platypod Pro Max
Whenever I see a new piece of photo gear, one of the first things I ask myself is "what else can it do?" You'll find great reviews of Platypod Pro Max by my fellow Photofocus authors extolling it's virtues as a camera platform - and while it certainly excels at that - I'm more interested in what else it can do. Its large flat surface and 3/8-16 thread made me immediately think it could also be perfect as a lighting platform whenever I wanted to place a kicker light close to the ground. I've improvised many times in the past, using everything … [Read more...] about Get a Grip with Platypod Pro Max
Photofocus – The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast June 21st, 2016
This weeks show we here from Levi Sim who gets a chance to sit down with Mark Toal. Levi and Mark discuss who is Mark and his background. How he got started. They then dive into the importance of practice and originality and even carrying your camera. The highlight is hearing Mark's experience photographing Muhammed Ali and they tie it all in by sharing what it means to take advantage of opportunities. Then Pamela sits down with Larry Tiefenbrunn who is behind the Platypod Pro and Platypod Max that has been getting rave reviews from every … [Read more...] about Photofocus – The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast June 21st, 2016
Field Review: The Platypod Pro Max
Oh Platypod, I’m not going to lie. I love my platypods. I received their original version last year and it quickly replaced using a tripod 90% of the time. Yes, 90%. I still needed a tripod if I wanted my camera up higher or using heaver lenses and extra gear. Welcome Platypod Pro Max When Platypod announced they were making a bigger version of the original called the Platypod Pro Max I was over the moon with getting one into my hands. The biggest reason is I do a lot of night sky and time-lapse photos in which I like using my Atomos Ninja … [Read more...] about Field Review: The Platypod Pro Max
Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
I hike every week with my family, and I travel by air and shoot in other cities every month. You and I both know that using a tripod unlocks picture opportunities that just can't be made without one. I can use it for super long exposures to blur the sea and clouds, or reduce traffic to trails of light down the road, and make waterfalls that pour smoothly into eternity. However, carrying a tripod can be wearisome. Just thinking about carrying it on a seven-mile hike makes my shoulders and legs hurt. I know I need a tripod, and I know my … [Read more...] about Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
