An essentially flat support base plate for mounting a piece of photographic equipment such as a photographic tripod head (camera mount) or camera. A preferred embodiment includes an aluminum base plate assembly formed with at least one threaded stud which is sized to fit into corresponding holes in selected pieces of photographic equipment. The stud is made of a non-ferrous material, such as titanium, to enable the plate and stud to be black anodized. The threaded stud is preferably welded in place to ensure that the stud is firmly and permanently attached to the base plate and cannot rotate independently of the plate. A base plate so formed has an elegant and aesthetically pleasing appearance and the base plate can be attached to or detached from any selected piece of equipment plate without the use of any tools (i.e., to make it tool free).