For any photographer wannabe who is taking this craft seriously, a tripod is a must. Landscape, portrait, food, product, and blue/golden hour photography all require a tripod. The simple fact is that it's nearly impossible for we humans to handhold a camera without some camera shake at anything less than 1/60th of a second and many say it truly should be 1/the focal length of the lens. So, if you are shooting on a telephoto zoom lens at 135mm, you should probably not try a handheld shot at a shutter speed less than 1/125 second (the closest shutter speed to 1/135 second which doesn't exist). Many have tried holding their breath when they shoot slower than 1/60 second, some hold it after an inhale, others like holding it after an exhale and this can work. I certainly recommend trying it, if no tripod is around and you want a shot. But, there truly is no real satisfactory substitute for a nice stable tripod.
Now tripods come in lots of sizes, materials, and price ranges which can really confuse the issue. I recommend that you figure out your budget first and the camera(s) you want a tripod to support, e.g. iPhone vs Nikon D7000, and then look at the options within that budget range. You may think you want the lightest tripod you can find, because lugging it everywhere will become a real pain - well get over it. Stability is key and stability comes with heft, although many tripods do have a feature that allows you to add weight by hanging a hefty camera bag or a bag of rocks on a hook that extends from the center column of the tripod to add stability. Wind, sometimes just a stiff breeze, and uneven terraine can undermine the stability you are seeking in order to capture a tack-sharp image, and can send your camera tumbling to your shock and horror, so get the heftiest tripod you can afford - you will be happy you did. Now for that iPhone or the ubiquitous point-and-shoot, try a tabletop tripod, they're great fun but once again look for stability in order to get those sharp pictures you want.
Inexpensive tripods often come with all their parts, meaning the legs and the head together, and quite honestly I would avoid these. Separate the decisions of stability and sanity. Buy the best, easily-extended, stable tripod you can, and then buy a head that allows you to quickly and easily change the position of your camera AND allows you to lock that "setting" in without creep, meaning without allowing your camera to slowly creep to another position. Ballheads are wonderful, easy to adjust and easy to lock, and are high on my recommend-list for saving the sanity of any photographer.
Manfrotto Tripod & Monopod with Ballhead Attachment
Having said all of this, I must say that the selection of a tripod is very personal. Do NOT order a tripod through mail order. Go to a store with a wide variety of tripods, find your budget range and then try them out. They have moving parts, move them! See if the tripod suits your shooting needs, styles (landscape vs portrait, etc.), and indiosycracies (right or left handed). It's got to fit or you won't use it and that means you'll never have the tack-sharp images of your dreams.
Tripod Ballhead Attachment with a Second Quick Release Plate
One more thing, here's a tip you'll be thanking me for for years. When you buy the head for your tripod buy a second Quick Release Plate. That's what attaches to your camera, and then attaches your camera to the tripod - without one your tripod is rendered completely useless, so why not buy two for your own peace of mind.