using a tripod for pictures

MrJ

Hello

I am planning a trip in India in March/April.
I am quite into photography and India seems like a place to make wonderful pictures.

However I read somewhere that a special permit is needed if you want to use a tripod (which is a necessary tool for me if i want to take pictures when there isn't enough sunlight e.d. Taj Mahal at sunset - and i really want to ).

Is this true?
What is the procdure to get this permit?
What is the cost?

Many thanks in advance!

cheers,
Jeroen

paintedlotus

I brought a tripod on my trip last year and never had a single problem. Actually, it was quite a conversation-starter-- people were fascinated by it!

Just wait until you get there, and if at a particular place someone stops you and says it's not allowed there should be a place you can store the tripod until you finish. If they charge a fee for tripod use (I really don't get this) they'll just charge you for it on the spot.

Honestly though, I only used my tripod two or three times in three weeks-- it really wasn't worth the bother!

ntomer

AFAIK, there are a few places where the tripod might not be allowed due to any reason; but there is no place where you will have to pay fee for it.

Also I would suggest you to carry a monp-pod as well, it will be handy in places where you might not have time/space to use tripod.

Cheers

Nitin

anubisgrau

can anyone be more specific about places where a tripod wouldn't be allowed? taj?

Yogesh Sarkar

In almost all of the ASI protected monuments you need to get permission from ASI beforehand before using tripod in monument’s premises and if I remember correctly this is the case with Taj as well.

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dhans

There are great mini-tripods that are only 15 centimeters high. They do the job allright, you only have to find a place (wall, chair, etc.) to put them on.

I used them quite regulary without problem, only on elephant island there was a guide who forbid me to take a picture of the triple buddha .

Hans

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Sabra

Hi, I didn´t take my tripod to India. If you want to stabilize your camera, try a bean bag. It's sturdier, lighter, simpler to use, and more versatile than most three-legged support systems. If you make it yourself, it costs next to nothing.

By simply filling a cloth sack with dried grain (corn, beans or peas, rice, lentil or small pebbles) you will anchor your equipment to odd shapes and inclines seemingly steep enough to defy gravity.
I love it!

Cameleer

Who or what is ASI ?
In most of the major forts, temples and palaces they will not allow tripods. I got away with using a monopod in some of these places because I was using it as a walking stick and made it through the gates unnoticed.
At the Taj you can’t even use a small handheld bracket for your camera. If you’re shooting from outside of the Taj, like across the river then there’s no problem.
Using a monopod and holding it up against something is what I do for some of my low light shooting.
Like this 2.5 second open lens shot. Actually this was 4 shots to make a 360 panoramic view.
http://www.indiavrtours.com/jaisalmer/room_c4.html

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Yogesh Sarkar

ASI = Archaeological Survey of India

aadil

All ASI monuments and museums do not allow photography with a tripod for which special permission needs to be taken in advance only from the Director of ASI in Delhi which is something that is next to impossible most of the time as it is a very lengthy procedure and not worth wasting your time over it. There is no fee for using a tripod but if someone tells you to pay to use one see how much they charge and see if it is worth the price you have to pay. If it is something within Rs50 to Rs100 then it is fine if you are going to take a lot of pictures on the tripod otherwise it is not worth the price. Try using the methods mentioned in the above posts which will be pretty adequate for most pictures where you need longer exposures.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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Cameleer

I emailed the Director of ASI asking for permission to use my monopod camera pole when taking 360° panoramic photos at their sites. I also told them that I would be happy to share my photos with them as they are using these types of photos on their site.
We will see what happens.

aadil

I remember emailing them once but there was no reply from them and it is now at least a couple of years since I wrote to them!!! I guess it is best to write to them at their postal address.

Cheers,
Aadil.

ScarletLSG

I wrote (via e-mail) to ASI prior to my trip to ask questions about Taj Mahal price and how the extra fee for foreigners (yeah, we all have an opinion on that) applied to other ASI sites.

Got a response within a day or two. It was very well written and detailed.

Scarlet

anar

what would be the logic behind this, i wonder. professional photos can be taken without a tripod...

aadil

Sometimes you may want to place yourself in the picture when there is nobody to take your picture the way you want it framed or taken in a particular fashion and that is where it is most useful besides being a sturdy base for a long exposure photograph in low light conditions or for some silly angles or even if your hands are not very steady when taking pictures.

Cheers,
Aadil.