Taking a low-light shot without a tripod

[joesaladino]

While visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, I came upon this wheelwright shop were wheels for horsedrawn wagons and carraiges are made. I didn't have my tripod with me and wanting to use my flash, so I rested my DSLR on the top of a gate at the shop entrance for this 5 second exposure. My Olympus E-520 with an Olympus Zuiko Digital 14 - 42 mm lens did the rest. Settings were Program Mode, autofocus, ISO 400, f 22, 5 seconds, 17 mm focal length.

[Patches]

That's a beautiful capture, Joe. I've found myself using trees, fences, etc as stabilizers for my camera at times I didn't have a tripod handy.

[RichardTaylor]

Super capture, Joe.

[arlon]

Nice shot.

I almost always wear a small fanny pack when I go anywhere with a camera. Seems I always want something I don't have like an extension ring for a macro shot or an ND filter, maybe a trash bag or plastic shower cap to save my gear or a poncho to save me in a storm...

In the bottom of my fanny pack (HERE) I have a home made "bean bag" stuffed with small foam beads that's sized to perfectly fit the bottom of the pack (and weighs nothing). I can't count how many times I've used it (HERE) to get a shot when I really needed a tripod but didn't want to carry one.

[Annwen]

I like the image Jo, It is amazing how resourceful you can be when you are confronted with a great shot, I also carry a small bean bag with me and it is surprising how many times I have used it to take shots that otherwise would have been blurred when handheld