What is the purpose of using a tripod in photography?

Using a tripod in photography primarily serves to stabilize the camera, which is crucial for reducing motion blur, especially during long exposure shots. When capturing images with slower shutter speeds, any slight movement of the camera can result in blurriness. A tripod provides a stable platform that prevents this unwanted movement, ensuring that the images are sharp and clear.

While other options mention aspects of photography that are important, such as enhancing zoom capabilities or color saturation, they do not pertain to the core function of a tripod. For example, a tripod does not affect the camera’s zoom capability at all; it's simply a support mechanism. Similarly, while hands-free shooting can be an advantage, it isn't the primary reason why photographers use tripods. The main goal is to achieve stability for high-quality images, particularly in situations where lighting is less than ideal and longer exposure times are necessary.