How to correctly press the shutter is the first and the most important lesson to anyone who is learning the basics of photography. Once you learn the shutter release technique you are one step ahead of other people in your skill level.
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| Photo By Tobyotter |
Shooting with the camera is much like shooting a gun. As a person who has had quite an experience shooting guns I had little or no problem automatically getting my technique right. But for those who has never fired a gun the following tips will help to get your technique right.
Most people will press the shutter release button with the tip of their index finger; instead, try using the soft pad at the end section of your index finger. You will not only find it easy this way but also gain more control over the amount of pressure you are applying to press the button. With a little practice you will easily master the correct amount of pressure.
Do not jam the shutter release button in one press. Remember that there are two functions and stops for the shutter release button. First at the half press mark the camera achieves auto focus and locks the exposure settings for the given scene. Second when you press the whole way down is when the camera actually takes the shot.
So focus your mind, aim for the half press mark, you should press till the half press point and hold the pressure there. The camera will attain focus and lock exposure values. Release the shutter release, aim the camera at a different subject and repeat the process. Practice it till you get it right and you are almost done.
Once you have reached a level in which you could easily point at any subject and half press to lock focus in one fluid motion, try pressing the shutter release all the way down to take the shot. Remember to use only the exact amount of pressure necessary and to minimize the camera shake.
Select the continuous shooting mode in your camera, point it at any subject. try taking shots, till you are able to fire the exact number of frames you intend to fire.
Use the Pad and not the Tip of your Index Finger
Most people will press the shutter release button with the tip of their index finger; instead, try using the soft pad at the end section of your index finger. You will not only find it easy this way but also gain more control over the amount of pressure you are applying to press the button. With a little practice you will easily master the correct amount of pressure.
Pressing the Shutter Release Button – The Right Way
Do not jam the shutter release button in one press. Remember that there are two functions and stops for the shutter release button. First at the half press mark the camera achieves auto focus and locks the exposure settings for the given scene. Second when you press the whole way down is when the camera actually takes the shot.
So focus your mind, aim for the half press mark, you should press till the half press point and hold the pressure there. The camera will attain focus and lock exposure values. Release the shutter release, aim the camera at a different subject and repeat the process. Practice it till you get it right and you are almost done.
Once you have reached a level in which you could easily point at any subject and half press to lock focus in one fluid motion, try pressing the shutter release all the way down to take the shot. Remember to use only the exact amount of pressure necessary and to minimize the camera shake.
Mastering the Shutter Release Technique
Select the continuous shooting mode in your camera, point it at any subject. try taking shots, till you are able to fire the exact number of frames you intend to fire.
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| Photo By Deuxflorida |
For ex. If you intend to shoot just 2 frames, you should be able to hold down the shutter and shoot exactly 2 frames in rapid succession. Remember 2 frames means 2 frames, not a frame more not a frame less. Practices with different focal lengths, longer focal lengths are more fun for these kinds of practices. Try bracketing your shots. Do let me know whether the tips worked for you.
In the next article we will discuss about Photography - Tips For Beginners - Understanding Histograms
In the next article we will discuss about Photography - Tips For Beginners - Understanding Histograms