Try and use a tripod whenever possible especially when you are taking pictures at night. At that time you will have to hold the camera steady for a much longer time because night pictures take a longer exposure. Do not assume that just because is night time taking pictures is out of the question.

I love taking photography of things that are in motion and you can see something happening. When you photograph things in motion sometimes you get something blurry and unusable. If you get your tripod with you, you can just concentrate on clicking the shutter rather tan waste time steading the camera.

When you select your tripod try to find something that works for your. I made the mistake of buying a very nice and expensive looking one that I hardly ever use. I find it bulky, heavy, and not very convenient to work with. I decided on getting a smaller less expensive one that encourages me to take it with me and I get far more use of that one. If you are a professional photographer it would make sense to go with a nice expensive model but for the amateur photographer I would not recommend it.