Tips to hold steadier when releasing shutter? (Esp with fast lenses)

[CharlieDIY]

Thanks

I'm getting slightly better at it, but I think it's a mix between having low shutter speeds (1/40), no IS (I'm spoiled by IS and wide angles), 100mm equivalent on my GH1, sloppy helicoid, super close distances with my lens at 1.4 and me holding my breath the entire time (literally, it's a habit for stabilizing my shots, but I found out I do it subconciously when composing too)

Inhale deeply several times, if you have time, then a final big inhale and let half of it out. That works better, IMO. That was also the opinion of the instructors on USMC rifle ranges many years ago.

--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com

 

[Mr Roygbiv rainbow]

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[Mentor_1]

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Gear: My Lab Lara, cameras, lens, tripod, monopod, cars, MH, motorcycle, helmet, yacht, etc. too much stuff.

 

[lbuclk=]

When you are unable to use a tripod, and that is probably often when you are indoors at places like museums, entertainment venues, etc., you have to use your body to make the camera stable. The photo herein gives the idea. I just shot it mirror.

First, set your feet in the rifler shooters, that is one foot slightly forward and the other slightly backward, both at shoulder width. That gives you good stability. The brace the camera with your hand (see photo), and it becomes a platform on which the camera rests. Pull your arms in tight to your body as that adds support since your feet re anchored well in the shooter's position. Never let your elbows get away from your body when shooting in low light at slower shutter speeds.

Finally, remember it takes little pressure to fire the shutter. Develop a light touch.





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Richard Weisgrau
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Author of
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Hold your breath & slowly press the shutter, kind of like firing a weapon.

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28 years as a freelancer,(news,magazine, wedding photography) camera equip. over the years: Practica MLT, Canon A1, Minolta 9xi, 7xi, Dimage Z1,Fuji 5200,Canon S2,Pentax K100D,Olympus 380,Canon SX 10, Canon 40D ( http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Buckl/ )
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[nelsonal]

If you're open to it, a marksmanship course is pretty good knowledge.

That said:
If you can, support your camera, arm, or body on a stable object.

If that's unavailable, try to use bones rather than muscles to support your camera (pull an elbow in and brace it against your side or chest).

Press the camera tightly against your cheek. This is difficult unless you're shooting with your right eye.

Before you focus, take a deep breath and breathe out until your lungs are neutrally full (you'll have enough air for a few seconds of not breathing).

When you press the shutter, squeeze it rather than pressing (some people prefer rolling your finger on the shutter button.

 

[GarageBoy]

Thanks

I was trying to get a photo of subway tile work before they renovated the station, when I ran into this issue

 

[Don Simons]

Surprisingly often there is some post or solid object around that you can use and this sometimes gives you an interesting angle you have not thought about. If you put your camera on maximum zoom and focus on something fairly close then if you look at the LCD it is almost impossible to hold it still. So if possible something solid and remote or delayed release. Human beings are shakey things that do not get better with age. Good luck.

 

[glasswave]

AI focus on Canon. I have had luck with this mode when shooting hand held macro, because of the super narrow dof. Shutter speed was not a problem nor horizontal/vertical shake, but more the fore/aft movement between focus & shutter press was botching my shots.

Anyways, I only mention it because no one else has suggested it.

Any tips for using a 50 F1.4 Zeiss Planar (C/Y mount) wide open on a Panasonic GH1 and maintain focus? I feel that I'm moving alot between focusing and releasing. This has caused many soft pics (esp with photographing walls, paintings etc)

Also, I feel like the helicoid is too coarse (way too easy to over shoot in both directions) Any tips for finer focusing?
Thanks

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There is simply too much beauty in the world to photograph it all, but I'm trying.

 

[PeterToronto]

I've written down a collection of practical suggestions on how to improve your handholding technique:

http://www.peteranthonyphotography.com/peter-anthony-photography-blog/2011/2/2/reducing-camera-shake.html

Peace
Peter

http://www.peteranthonyphotography.com