HOW TO HOLD A CAMERA STEADYThe key to holding a camera steady is support. The more points of support, the steadier your camera will be.Start by bracing your left elbow against your chest, using the left hand to cradle the lens barrel or bottom of the camera. That's leg one of your tripod. The next important point of contact is your forehead. Hold the camera in your right hand in a way which allows you to place the notch between the thumb and index finger against your forehead. That's leg two of your tripod. Now pull the camera towards your face with the left hand so it is firmly attached to your head. Your right elbow will be out and waving around like a chicken wing. To stablize it press it backwards, locking the shoulder joint. That's leg three of your tripod. What you will have done with the steps above is to immobilize your upper body, neck, head and camera as one fixed and very stable platform. It's stable because it has a lot of mass. Your waist becomes your ball head. To frame the camera you move the entire upper body as a unit by bending at the waist. Your feet should be arranged in a martial arts style ready stance, spread at an angle under the body so it does not sway. Someone should be able to shove you from any direction and not move you. The next step is taken from the pages of "Zen and the Art of Archery". When you press the shutter do it with the unconcious smoothness of "a leaf falling off a tree and spinning to the ground." That line, more than anything else improved my shooting with a bow, pistol and camera. Finally, hold your focus on the spot for a count of three after you press the shutter. There is also no substitute for practice. It's an acquired skill. Contact: Chuck Gardner Tutorial Table of Contents |