Sharp photos start with a stable camera. When the camera moves, the picture it takes has some movement blur. High shutter speeds minimize the effect of camera movement, but they do not eliminate it. Here’s how to hold your camera steady.
Smartphones shake
Smartphone cameras don’t have viewfinders. They have screens.
Smartphone cameras use their screens to compose photos. That’s fine for the camera phone because there’s no other way to compose an image. That doesn’t mean it’s ideal. Smartphone photos have issues. The smartphone camera has a big button on the screen to tap (not press gently) to take a photo. This introduces camera movement, which gives blurry results.
Cameras are not smartphones
Worse, photographers think that’s also the right method to hold their DSLR or mirrorless cameras. I know you would never do this. I also know you have seen photographers with big lenses holding their cameras at arm’s length to compose and take a shot.
Cameras have viewfinders. Use that, not the screen. Here’s why and how.
Camera store story
A long time ago, in 1981, I led a workshop for the employees of a Tallahassee camera store. One salesperson asked, “What’s the right way to hold a camera?” They were shocked at my answer.
“The same way you hold a rifle,” I replied. Holding a rifle steady is the only way to hit a target. I enlisted a marine, Connor Goodrich, to demonstrate the technique.
Safety first
First, always check to be sure the firearm you hold is not loaded. This is an immutable rule. Check. Always. Period. And… NEVER, ever point a gun at a person. NEVER!
Hold the rifle steady
When a rifle is fired, it recoils as the bullet leaves the barrel. This kickback is minimized when the gun is held the right way. Your camera doesn’t recoil, but everything else about the rifle stance is the same for holding a camera rock solid.
Hold the camera the same way
There is only one difference between the correct way to hold a rifle and a camera. The camera does not have a trigger guard around the shutter button. Otherwise, it’s exactly the same.
Form the habit
No matter how you held your camera before reading this, it’s time to develop a technique for holding it as steady as possible. Here are the steps to remember:
- Hips are perpendicular to the subject.
- Cradle the lens with your left hand under it.
- Press the viewfinder to your eye and forhead.
- Tuck both elbows into your ribs
See for yourself
Don’t take my word for it. Test the rifle-holding technique against the way you currently hold your camera. Use the same shutter speed, ISO and aperture settings. Open each one up side by side and see for yourself which one is sharper.
If Conner fired a rifle held as the camera is in the photo above three things would happen. One: The rifle’s butt would slam into his right shoulder (very painful, trust me.) Two: The recoil would knock him off his feet causing a painful landing on his butt. Three: He would totally miss the target.
Please learn the habit of stable handholding. It’s easy and your results will improve dramatically!
One more tip…
Part of rifle training is squeezing the trigger slowly until the gun fires. Slowly pushing down the shutter button is just as important when handholding your camera. Keep your finger on the shutter release then squeeze ’til the camera takes the picture. No more stabbing the button repeatedly, please!
Thanks!
Many thanks to Conner Goodrich for his marine-trained rifle handling. To Remmington from John’s Creek Indoor Shooting Range in Suwanee, Georgia and to Hill Redwine, my mentor in all things firearms.
