Day Six: Hendricks Head Beach

Since I’m heading up to Hendricks Head Beach today, I decide to take along my trusty Sima 5-section monopod. I actually rescued this from the trash, because the QRP (quick release plate) was missing. I put a call into Sima, and they sent one out to me free of charge.

It might interest you to know that the primary reason for using a monopod is to support the weight of the camera on long shoots. True, it helps to steady the camera vertically, but it’s not meant to take the place of a traditional three-legged tripod. Sports photogs typically use these to take the burden of their heavy but fast high-power telephoto lenses. But for non-sports lensmen, they also have many other uses that make them an essential piece of equipment.

The Walking Stick A monopod can double as a walking stick on long photo hikes. It can help you steady yourself when climbing rocks, preventing a fall that could cause substantial injury to you or damage to your expensive equipment.

High Angle View Used with a self-timer or IR remote shutter release, the camera can be raised high in the air to create an overhead view. This can be very handy for event photography.

Flash Bracket/Extender You can attach a cold shoe adapter to the quick-release and use the monopod to hold an off-camera flash. You can extend the monopod as far as needed to reach the necessary height, holding it with one hand as you work the camera with the other. Or, you can have your assistant follow you around and position the flash at your command.

Backdrop Support Suspended between two objects, an extended monopod can serve as a support for a fabric backdrop.

Angling the camera down slightly when mounting it allows you to control the vertical tilt by the angle you hold the monopod. The topmost section of the monopod is grip-actuated, so I extend that fully and adjust the final height with one of the lower leg sections. I can now quickly shorten the entire assembly if needed using the grip.

Hendricks Head Light, Southport, Maine.

Off to the west is Hendricks Head Light, now privately owned and inaccessible to the public. Dead center in the cove is a large outcrop of rock that offers a better view, so I put the Sima to the test. With the D90 mounted, I use the monopod to steady my ascent and support the weight of the camera. Without worrying about the camera bouncing around my neck, I have one hand free, and the other, with the extended reach of the monopod, able to brace myself against a fall.

The remainder of the day is spent exploring more of Maine’s rocky coastline.