How To Use a Gorillapod

Getting started with any Gorillapod is straight forwards. A quick-release can help speed things up but is not essential since Gorillapods are so light. If not using a quick release, starting with the camera mounted on the Gorillapod is probably best. Then, the Gorillapod is placed into position. Possible positions are either balanced or squeezed.

Balance

A balanced position occurs when a Gorillapod is setup similarly to a tripod. All three legs are apart and extend in different directions from the camera. The short legs of this support makes this position less balanced than with a standard tripod. A wider stance improves things as it helps keep the camera's center of gravity between the Gorillapod's legs.

For any camera with a significantly protruding lens, it is good if one of the legs extends outwards just below the lens. This makes sure the weight of the lens is met by resistance. While this is a relatively steady position, it is easy to topple over the whole thing from here.

A balanced position can be make much more stable by increasing the contact area below the Gorillapod. This is easy to do thanks to those flexible joints. Note that since each joint has a strong resistance though, it is better push the legs down against the ground than try to bend them flat. Otherwise the leg section often ends up with uneven contact against the ground.

As the Gorillapod is pushed lower and lower to improve stability, it becomes harder to precisely orient the camera on the models which lack a joint above the legs. This is the primary reason to use a ball head between the Gorillapod and the camera.

The flexibility of the Gorillapod means that it can find a steady position on uneven ground and on a variety of obstacles. For a balanced position, all above rules apply, only legs can be bent around objects. As it was previously suggested, it is better to push the leg down onto the obstacle than to try to shape it before hand.

Given the short height of the Gorillapod, it is bound to find its place above ground. Ledges, benches, rocks and other large objects are ideal for using this support in a balanced position. Care must be taken not to pull on the camera strap while in such position. Most digital camera are quite fragile and even a short fall could damage one beyond the point where repairs are cost-effective.

It is important to know that, even with a steady stance, a Gorillapod is even more susceptible to vibrations than a rigid tripod. It is recommended to use a self-timer or remote trigger to take a shot on all tripods. While the 2s timer is sufficient for a reasonably rigid tripod, a Gorillapod in balanced position may require the longer 10s or 12s timer.

Squeeze

A squeeze position is when the Gorillapod legs are tightened around an object to hold the camera against gravity. The joints are exceptionally strong and rubber-coated on the outside which give them a non-slip grip. The non-slip surface is particularly effective at not slipping against other joints. On the right image we see the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom holding a 918g camera with only the pressure of one leg. This makes sense since with all 3 legs, this support is rated to hold 3 kg.

The trick to a powerful one leg squeeze is to let gravity help. Here the camera is pulled downwards by gravity pushing the center of the Gorillapod down against the leg which is wrapped around the pole. Nothing actually prevents the other legs for helping too. We did this for demonstration purposes and did not let go of the camera until it felt certain that the grip will hold.

It would not look so nice in the photo here but using the camera strap and keeping a hold on it can prevent an unfortunate encounter between the camera and a hard surface below it. Just make sure to hold the strap well with just a little loose as to not pull on the camera.

Squeezed positions are very effective and, unlike balanced positions, can hold a camera's center of gravity away from the Gorillapod.

One thing to watch out when trying to wrap a Gorillapod around an object is to make sure the camera will be able to move towards the desired orientation. This is easier to do with the grip away from the object. Giving it a bit of distance lets the ball-head move the camera more freely. Taller ball-heads have an advantage here.

Although not shown here, the Gorillapod can support a camera upside-down. This requires the same carefully technique of wrapping tightly and letting gravity seal the grip. When wrapping around objects, it is convenient to have the legs touch each other. Positions are much more sturdy when more rubber contact is created.

All in all, using a Gorillapod is quite easy. Learning the tips discussed here help set up the camera support faster. Nevertheless, it is always important to take your time and make sure the camera is secure before letting go. If possible, holding the camera strap is an excellent safety net against slippage and accidental knocks by people passing around.