Photography

Basic Photography Lessons, Holding The Camera

The most common problem encountered by photographers is image blurring due to camera shake. No matter how much resolution or memory or how much functionality your camera has, it will all be pointless if you cannot control camera shake.

Camera shake is mostly caused by slight movements of the hands or parts of the body when the shutter release button is pressed. Even with Image Stabilization or Vibration Reduction systems, camera shakes will still damage your photos if it is too much. It is important therefore that you learn how to control these shakes to a minimum by handling the camera properly.

The first thing you should check is your stance. A solid stance is the key to a firm camera handling. Make sure you are on a solid surface. If you're standing your body should be facing 45 degrees to the right of your target. Spread your feet apart about the same width as your shoulders with your toes pointing slightly outward, evenly distributing your weight to each foot.

The arms should be braced as much as possible. Tuck your elbows close to your body. For lighter compact cameras hold the right part of the camera with your right thumb at the back, allowing the camer to rest on your right palm heel. Position your pointing finger near the shutter-release button and the rest of the fingers at the front opposite the thumb. Place the left thumb at the bottom left part of the camera while the left pointing finger at the top left. The other fingers can be left to do minor support but not necessary. Make sure your fingers do not cover the lens or the flash. For vertical orientation, it is easier to position the compact cameras with the right part at the bottom holding it with your right hand the same way as described for horizontal orientation, while your left hand now holding the bottom part of the camera.

Using a DSLR camera or some mid-sized sub-compact cameras require a different way of holding because it is heavier and some of the controls are in the lens ring. The same way, tuck your elbows close to your body. The right hand generally holds the hand grip part of the camera with the thumb at the back (near the control buttons) and the pointing finger positioned at the shutter-release button. The left thumb and pointer are positioned around the lens ready to access any of the lens ring controls while the left palm heel and the remaining fingers support the bottom of the camera. If you are using longer, heavier zoom lenses the left hand may need to support the entire lens assembly. It also helps to lean backwards a little to counter the weight of the lens. Vertical orientation with the DSLR is easier if you hold the camera with the grip at the top with the left hand supporting the right side of the camera with the thumb and pointer still wrapped around the lens ring.

Generally, if a viewfinder is available, use it. Resting the viewfinder gently on your head provides additional stability. If you are using the LCD display make sure you don't hold the camera too far away from your body to minimize shake.

Find any stable structure to lean or rest on and use it if possible to give you more stability. A tree, a wall, table, a boulder, a mound, or even the ground -- depending on the occasion. Use a more stable position if the situation allows, like squatting, kneeling, sitting, or lying -- always making sure that your elbows are rested properly on your body, knees or on the ground.

When you press the shutter-release button, do not tap it. This is the time when you should hold everything as stable as possible. Gently squeeze the shutter release button by moving only your pointer finger. Wait for the AF/AE to lock then gently continue pressing to finally take the picture. Hold your breath if possible when you are doing this until the you hear the click.