Regarding tri-pods I myself use a hama full size tri-pod, its cheap and nasty but it does the job.
Aside from that I have a DSLR Gorilla pod which it very useful for getting stable shots of those awkward low angles (especially useful for macro).
In my honest opinion most types of photography benefit from the use of a tripod but as mentioned you don't exactly "need" one but in the end its better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it.
Speaking of macro heres a shot I took last night with a 60-mm USM macro lens.