Tip #4175 - It's All in the Hold
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It's
All in the Hold
Many of our best
photographs suffer from camera shakes. While some cameras come with
anti-shake warnings that tell you if the picture you’ve taken
is blurred or not, a better way to find out is to zoom in at 100 percent
and see it for yourself. Now, if the picture is blurred and you think
it requires rocket science to bring clarity into it, you are downright
wrong. In fact, it’s fairly easy if you're able to admit that
the real reason the picture is blurred is because of camera shake.
Camera shake
usually happens if the camera was not held still enough while the
shutter was pressed. This is especially common in shots taken in low
light situations where the shutter is open for longer periods of time.
Adding to camera shake is a technique that is increasingly common
with digital camera users when holding the camera at arms length away
from them as they take shots, along with only using one hand. Even
the smallest movement of the camera can cause a blur and the only
real way to eliminate it is to use a tripod.
It is the best
way to stop camera shake, because a tripod has three sturdy legs that
keep things very still. But, if you don’t have one, another
simple way to enhance the stability of the camera is to hold onto
it with two hands. While it can be tempting to shoot one handed, two
hands will increase your stillness (like three legs on a tripod being
better than one). Now, exactly how you should grip your camera will
depend upon what type of digital camera you are using. It varies from
person to person as well, depending upon preference. There is no real
right or wrong way to do it, but here are a few tips that could come
in handy:
Tip 1:
The Right Grip Makes All the Difference
Use your right
hand to grip the right hand end of the camera. Your forefinger should
sit lightly above the shutter release, with your other three fingers
curling around the front of the camera. Your right thumb grips onto
the back of the camera. These days, most cameras have some sort of
grip area and some even have impressions to show you where your fingers
should go. That way, it feels more natural. Use a strong grip with
your right hand, but don’t grip it so tightly that you end up
shaking the camera. And remember, squeeze the shutter. Don’t
just jab at it, because that could result in more camera shake as
well.
Tip 2: Must Be in Line with Your Camera’s Weight
The positioning
of your left hand will depend upon your camera, but in general, it
should support the weight of the camera. It will either sit underneath
the camera or under/around a lens if you have a DSLR.
Tip 3:
Don’t Hold Too Far Away From You
If you’re
shooting using the view finder to line up your shot, you’ll
have the camera nice and close to your body, which will add extra
stability. On the other hand, if you’re using the LCD, make
sure you don’t hold your camera too far away from you. Tuck
your elbows into your sides and lean the camera out a little from
your face. Alternatively, use the viewfinder if it’s not too
small or difficult to see through (a problem on many point-and-shoot
cameras these days).
Tip 4:
Look for a Solid Object
Add extra stability
by leaning against a solid object, such as a wall or a tree or by
sitting or kneeling down. If you have to stand and don’t have
anything to lean on for extra support, put your feet shoulder width
apart to give yourself a steady stance. The more still you can keep
your body, the more still the camera will be.
Tip 5:
Take a Deep Breath
Before you take
your shot, take a gentle, but deep breath. Hold it and then take the
shot and exhale. The other method people use is the exact opposite:
exhale and before inhaling again, take the shot. It’s amazing
how much a body rises and falls simply by breathing. So, being conscious
of it can give you an edge.
Tip 6: It's All in the Technique
There are, of
course, many other techniques for decreasing camera shake that should
be used in conjunction with the way you hold it. For example, shutter
speed, lenses with image stabilization and of course, tripods can
all help in a big way.
Tip 7:
Do What Makes You Most Comfortable
Of course, each
person will have their own little techniques they are most comfortable
with and ultimately, you need to find what works best for you. But,
in the early days of familiarizing yourself with your new digital
camera, it’s worth considering your technique before trying
some of these.
Happy shooting!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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