Safari Books Online is a digital library providing on-demand subscription access to thousands of learning resources.
No tool is more valuable for making great black-and-white images than a good tripod. That is not to say you should always use a tripod, but you should use it when you are doing longer exposures or when framing and sharpness are critical.
If you are serious about black-and-white photography, a good tripod is a must. When the images need to be incredibly sharp, it is important to have a tripod that is solid and strong. If you are going to be hauling a lot of equipment, you will want a tripod that is light enough to carry.