Extend the legs of the tripod before you raise the center column if you need more height. A tripod's steadiness comes from the wide base created by its legs, whereas the center column merely increases height without contributing to steadiness. In fact, the higher it is, the more your camera may tend to waver. When the tripod's legs are fully-extended, there is greater risk of camera movement, particularly if there is a strong wind. A sandbag or water bag, for example, can be suspended from the center column or three sandbags can be draped over the legs.
Many tripods have rubber caps at the end of the legs for a firm grip on the studio floor.
In some models, these rubber feet can be individually turned so they screw upwards, revealing a sharp spike-like foot that can be pushed into the ground for extra stability when photographing outside. They spike base is also effective when using the tripod on a carpet, providing a solid footing. Not all models have such convertible feet, but if your tripod does, be sure to use them for extra stability. If you are using your tripod on dry sand, extremely loose soil or on snow, you may find it difficult to keep the legs from sinking in. The solution is to create a wider foot that acts like a snowshoe, spreading the load over a larger area.