Camera tripod

Summary: A camera tripod can reduce camera movement. Portraits with a digital camera or a film camera requires steady hands. Use this "Technique Phototorial, exclusive to PORTRAITSECRETS, as a guide to make good photos into great photos.

Technique Phototorials are exclusive to PORTRAITSECRETS and are there to use as a guide to better photos. A steady digital or film camera is essential to taking visually sharp photos.

A crisp, clear and focused image is essential when printing photos. If you use a custom photo finisher, a do-it-yourself photo kiosk, popular in supermarkets and discount stores, or a printer attached to your personalcomputer, the finished prints will be better if your camera was steady when you took the photo.

Using these photos as a guide, you can develop techniques that will give you the upper hand to turn good photos into great photos.

The "human tripod" technique

Place your feet a comfortable distance apart with the left foot slightly ahead of the right. Holding the camera, cradle the bottom of the lens barrel with your left hand to both focus and stabilize the camera. That will limit vertical movement.The right hand, placed near the shutter release, will limit horizontal movement.Position your elbows near the sides of your rib cage for stability as your hands come together to form a triangle with the camera viewfinder to your eye.

When standing, use your body, arms and legs to mimic the tripod effect.

Place your feet a comfortable distance apart with the left foot slightly ahead of the right. Holding the camera, cradle the bottom of the lens barrel with your left hand to both focus and stabilize the camera. That will limit vertical movement. The right hand, placed near the shutter release, will limit horizontal movement. Position your elbows near the sides of your rib cage for stability as your hands come together to form a triangle with the camera viewfinder to your eye.

Squeeze the shutter release

Don't punch or push the shutter release. Gently squeeze the shutter release to avoid a jarring movement that can cause camera shake.

Most shutter releases or triggers are sensitive and don't require much pressure. Many newer cameras have a "continuous mode" that enables a photographer to make a series of rapid-fire exposures with one squeeze of the release. At extremely slow shutter speeds, the second or third exposure may be more stable as a result of using this technique.

Monopod adds stability

Using a monopod, a lightweight single-legged adjustable camera support, can also assure camera steadiness. The advantage of a monopod is weight and size. A tripod, while effective, is bulky and heavier.

Another intriging idea for camera stability is to use a monopod. The monopod is a single collapsing pole with a screw in mount. Nearly all newer camera have a threaded opening on the bottom of the camera that will allow you to attach the camera to the monopod.

The advantage of the monopod is to add stability with a lightweight accessory. Tripods, like the one shown in the photo on the right, are bulky and heavy. A monopod will offer stability for horizontal photos. An adjustable ballhead attachment will enable you to use the monopod for vertical photos.

Lower your center of gravity

Kneeling down is another useful technique to add stability and reduce camera shake. Another advantage of kneeling is to change camera position and approach photo composition from a new perspective.

Kneeling provides steadiness and gives a different perspective for your photos.

Kneeling also allows you to get down on the same level of smaller subjects when making portraits while lowering your center of gravity that will give you better balance.

The fickle finger problem

Compact digital cameras, often called point and shoots for their ease of use and automated focus and exposure, are problematic.

Digital compact cameras, often called point and shoot cameras, present problems when they are handheld. Manage your fingers to keep from blocking built-in electronic flash and infrared autofocus mechanisms. Placing your fingers in a support position at the bottom of the camera adds stability while photographing.

Long fingers or chubby hands can often inhibit the built-in electronic flash and infrared focusing mechanisms of these tiny but effective cameras.

Be sure to locate the flash and focus/exposure modules when you hold the camera. Position you hands and fingers away from them.

Camera shake, even in these lightweight and compact cameras, is still a factor that must be anticipated. Use your trigger finger hand to activate the shutter and the right hand along the bottom of the camera to add stability.

Holding a camera with one hand creates camera movement that can lead to blurry or fuzzy photos. Using two hands is an improvement, but using the second hand under the barrel of the lens adds support and stability.

Keys to success:

Steadiness equals shapness of photos
Use your body to brace the camera
Monopod as a lightweight stabilizer
Lowering your center of gravity
Positioning of hands and fingers

Don’t hesitate to modify or adjust these techniques to your personal comfort and shooting style. Choose what works best for you and share your thoughts and comments with PORTRAITSECRETS.