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| How to correctly hold a Digital Camera |
How to correctly hold a Digital Camera
How you hold your digital camera is one of the key elements that determine how sharp and in focus the photos you take are. The most common reason for blurry images is the camera shake and the most common reason for camera shake is the fact that the camera was not held still enough while the shutter was pressed. Camera shake is more pronounced while taking shots at low light conditions with slow shutter speeds when the shutter is held open for longer periods.
Holding the digital camera correctly can help minimize or prevent camera shake and ensure your images are sharp and blur-free. So it’s important to know how to hold a digital camera correctly to take great photos.
The correct method to hold a digital camera
How you hold your camera or for that matter any other equipment is just a matter of personal preference and there is no right or wrong way as such; but developing a habit of taking up a proper stance, holding the camera and the way you switch the controls right from the beginning will give you a lot of benefits in the long run. The least of it is that you'll look professional while taking your shots. A reason good enough to give it a try isn't it. Here we have put in some of the tried and tested tips that work well.
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| The correct method to hold a digital camera |
Hold the camera in your right hand by gripping the right hand end of the camera placing your thumb on the back of the camera, your three fingers curling around the front and your index finger sitting comfortably on the shutter release button. In general most new generation cameras have a sort of grip or impression where your fingers should go making your gripping comfortable. Hold the camera firm but not too tightly so as you might end up shaking it. Depending on the type of your camera the positioning of your left had will vary. If you are using a DSLR your left hand will sit underneath the camera supporting the weight of the camera with your palm, your thumb on the left side of the lens and other fingers on the other side of the lens in order to enable easy focusing and zooming.
1. Hold the camera with both hands
Always use both your hands to grip your camera. While you might look stylish taking pictures holding the camera with one hand the pictures you take wouldn't. Make use of both your hands; if you try and shoot one hand you might end up using more than enough pressure on the shutter release button, a tighter grip than needed and also have more chance of getting a tilted horizon.
2. Tuck your elbows into your sides
Place your elbows close to your body while shooting to reduce camera shake.
3. Slightly spread your legs to improve stability
One of the most important things to remember while holding your camera is how your legs are positioned don't stand with legs closed, instead spread them slightly may be shoulder width apart so you have better balance and stability.
4. Hold the camera close to you
Even if you are taking pictures by viewing through the LCD screen do not be tempted to extend your hand away from your body to compose the shot. Always keep the camera close to your body only allowing enough space between the camera and your body for you to comfortably see what's been displayed at the LCD screen.
5. Make sure you are not covering either the lens or the flash
While holding your camera always make sure before clicking that you are not covering either the lens or the built in flash (if the shots needs the flash to be fired) accidentally with any of your fingers.
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| Never shoot with camera held in one hand |
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| Use both your hands it improves stability |
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| Do not extend your hands. Hold the camera close to your body |
6. Control your breathing
The simple act of climbing a couple of stairs can hasten your breathing and you'll be surprised to find how much breathing makes your body move. So before attempting to take the shot make sure you are breathing at a normal pace, if not try taking in a couple of deep breaths and exhaling slowly. Some people would like to take a breath hold on to it and take the shot. Some prefer exhaling then taking the shot before inhaling again. But from our experience the best strategy is to take a deep breath exhale half, keep holding and take the shot this will vastly improve your shots.
7. Look for Materials to support
You could add extra stability by leaning against a solid object like a tree or a wall or a piece of furniture. You may also try kneeling or even sitting down. If you are taking a shot sitting down you can prop both elbows against your knees and when kneeling brace an elbow over a knee to improve stability.
In the next article we will discuss about Photography - Tips For Beginners - What is White Balance? How to set custom white balance?