I just got my first digital camera a few weeks ago (A 5mp Polaroid), I also got a 5 dollar tripod off of ebay (it's about 6 inches high), I use it with the timer on the camera to do pose shots (for when I'm working on a commission or something). I have very shakey hands normally, and find that even while *holding* the camera with the tripod attached, I take steadier pics, but definitely with the timer you get a good steady shot. Just a suggestion for other amateurs like myself