This also highlights the importance of getting a quality (read expensive) tripod - see that one there is bending!! You want one that is solid, strong and won't bend with a camera and monster lens on the end.
Course you might need muscles like Hulk Hogan to lift it, but its worth the investment (besides all that work will build you up - from a boy with his walmart tripod to a man with a Manfrotto or Gitzo )
@ lockwood81 LOL!! I love that picture. very nice.
But I wish I had a bigger/taller tripod. Can be very useful in shooting over like a tall bush(not as a stalker) but like needing to shoot over objects.
Well I just got my manfrotto today... 550xprob and a RC4 3-way head. (at least I think those are the part #s... hard to remember with those crazy naming schemes.)
Seems really solid. I'm planning to go out this week or next and get some night-time city shots and try 'er out.
don't forget that the 055 can go down to ground level!
If its a level you are going to use more often then manfrotto make a right angle adaptor for the head as well
Have fun!