Count the frame. Four sets of legs planted in the dirt, and most of the people standing behind them are holding their cameras in their hands anyway. Nobody is doing anything wrong. That is just what a workshop looks like in the ninety percent of the day that isn’t the shot. The tripod is the most bought and least used piece of equipment in the hobby. It gets carried because the packing list said so, and because there is a lingering sense that serious photography happens on sticks.

Nikon has announced a significant expansion of its Nikon Tour for 2026, doubling the number of stops to ten U.S. cities and broadening the programming structure to address distinct creator segments. The tour is free to attend, runs through November, and opens May 15–17 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The format this year introduces dedicated programming days rather than a single generalist agenda. “Intro to Photography” targets beginners; “Z Day” is aimed at working photographers; “NIKKOR Z Lens Day” focuses on advanced glass trials for experienced shooters; and a new video-focused day centers on the Nikon ZR, Nikon’s first cinema camera.