I get fired up when people start recommending tripods like they were recommended to me when I was starting. They do help you to slow down, compose, think about the shot, etc. They also do help more with the crappy lenses most of us start out with. But when you start to get into mid to upper range equipment, you know how to compose well, you understand the technical limitations and applications of your equipment, etc you don't need a tripod as much as some people make it sound.