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Aerial Imagery | Back to the Dark Ages of Film | Black and White Photography | Camera Death in 2006 | End of Film Photography | Joe Tripod and Ralph Tripod | Lens Test | Night Photography (Low Light or No Light) | Rephotography, or Once Is Not Enough | The Sale that Fell into My Lap | Threat to National Security?

Joe Tripod and Ralph Tripod


My photographic endeavors would not be possible without the assistance of two devotees of stillness: Joe Tripod and Ralph Tripod. Joe, the lighter of the two, accompanies me on hikes to support my self-portrait activities. Ralph does not go with me on hikes because "he ain't my brother, he's heavy." Ralph’s assignments are limited to shots at home or close to the car. Because I value their work, I strive to mention them in the description of photos in which they assisted.

Joe and Ralph take their work seriously and thus prefer not to be called by nicknames. Names like "Tripod Joe" or “Joe T” cause Joe to become unbalanced, which is not conducive to field work. Ralph Tripod feels the same way about "Ralphie Boy" and similar appellations. The names "Joe" and "Ralph" are fine.

Joe is a Slik Sprint Pro GM ("GM" stands for "gray metallic"). I bought Joe in 2004 at Dick’s Cameras of Burien, Washington. Sadly, Dick's Cameras went out of business in 2008. In spite of this blow to his heritage, Joe soldiers on. He weighs 1.97 pounds (893g). In June 2011, Joe had a head transplant while in Salt Lake City. His original Slik head was replaced by a stronger Gitzo head.

Ralph, known in tripod circles as a Manfrotto 3001 BN, came into my life in 2001 at Glazer's Cameras in Seattle. He weighs 3.83 pounds (1.74 kg). Ralph has a Manfrotto ProBall 308 head and for a long time wore padding on his legs. The padding was made of pipe insulation. Ralph appears in the last photo (white bed sheet in the background).

To counter some nasty rumors on the Internet, let me state now that neither Joe nor Ralph consorts with monopods---one-legged supports just don't measure up.

The most recent postings are at the top.


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In view of the Three Gossips
In view of the Three Gossips
Resting on the mud flat
Resting on the mud flat
The sky is the limit
The sky is the limit
Standing guard at the mine
Standing guard at the mine
On call by the car at Kamela
On call by the car at Kamela
Joe Tripod, folded for travel
Joe Tripod, folded for travel
Joe Tripod (detail view)
Joe Tripod (detail view)
Joe Tripod atop a fin with numerous potholes
Joe Tripod atop a fin with numerous potholes
Joe Tripod, dwarfed by fins
Joe Tripod, dwarfed by fins
Joe Tripod on a wet road in the snow, somewhere in Utah
Joe Tripod on a wet road in the snow, somewhere in Utah
Joe Tripod mimics the profile of nature
Joe Tripod mimics the profile of nature
Camera death cuts short a road trip to Utah
Camera "death" cuts short a road trip to Utah
Joe Tripod at the evaporation pond at Potash
Joe Tripod at the evaporation pond at Potash
One-tone Joe Tripod on two-tone sandstone
One-tone Joe Tripod on two-tone sandstone
Hangar by night (day version available via the link below)
Hangar by night (day version available via the link below)
Joe Tripod on salt (not steroids!)
Joe Tripod on salt (not steroids!)
Joe Tripod standing on salt granules
Joe Tripod standing on salt granules
Joe Tripod at the end of the salt flats access road
Joe Tripod at the end of the salt flats access road
Joe Tripod and Tetzlaff Peak
Joe Tripod and Tetzlaff Peak
Joe Tripod on special assignment
Joe Tripod on special assignment
Joe Tripod at the Goose Neck Viewpoint
Joe Tripod at the Goose Neck Viewpoint
Joe Tripod in the brush at Gilluly Curve
Joe Tripod in the brush at Gilluly Curve
Ralph Tripod, older brother of Joe Tripod
Ralph Tripod, older brother of Joe Tripod