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Tips for reducing camera shake
As a photographer you will know what it’s like to deal with the dreaded “Camera Shake”. ![]() Camera shake gets amplified when you’re photographing in bad lighting or if you’re zoomed up on your subject. Small things such as breathing a little as you capture your photo can result in a horribly blurred photo. The SolutionMany people will say that the obvious answer to getting rid of camera shake is using a tripod or leaning on something stable. But what if you’ve left your tripod at home or there’s nothing solid and stable to rest on. I’m going to give you a few hints on how to reduce camera shake, and if you practice enough maybe you could even eliminate it all together. Put your arms into itDon’t hold the camera too far away from your body, when you extend your arms, the slightest movement gets amplified and results in a blurry photo, unless that’s what you’re going for of course. Look through the viewfinder; keep one hand on the lens with your elbow tilted inwards. Keep your other arm close to your body to stop it from shaking around when you’re holding up the camera. The machine gun holdThis is a technique that I don’t use that often because I’m a bit of a manual-focus junkie. It may not work for me but that doesn’t mean that you won’t benefit from it. What you need to do is grab your right shoulder with your left hand. Now point your elbow outwards and use your arm as a platform on which you may rest your camera. When I’m using autofocus for things such as sport photography this position really helps a lot. Give it a go and tell me what you think. Shutter SpeedThere is a relation between the shutter speed and focal length of your lens. The general idea is that your shutter speed is at least one faster that your focal length. This means that if you are using a 300mm telephoto lens for instance your shutter speed should be at least 1/320s in order for you to reduce camera shake. Button pressingAs you now know the slightest bit of movement can result in camera shake even something as small as pressing the button to take the photo. The ideal solution is to get a remote shutter trigger for your camera. If this is not possible there is an easier way, all you have to do is switch to multishot mode, the first few photos might have a little camera shake but after that it should be nice and clear. Hold your breathThis is the golden rule of reducing camera shake. When you are taking a photo, breathe in and hold your breath, exhale once you have captured the shot. That’s it, hope it helps reduce your shaking. If you have any other ways please post it in the comments. Don’t forget to
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favSHARE´s last blog: 27 Cannes Lions Winners to Inspire Your Outdoor Advertising Campaign
Great article Sheldon and thanks for guest posting!
Mihai Opariuc´s last blog: Tips for reducing camera shake
Great article Sheldon,
I tend to hold my breath and take my time when pressing the button trying to do it slowly.
This article reminds me of the army and shouting. All your points are very similar if not the same advice to shooting. There is a reason why they call it photo shooting.
Things like holding your breath to avoid shake and squeezing the trigger while shooting to prevent the rifle from any sudden movement off the target.
Supporting your arms the rest of your body being well supported is a must.
Robert Bravery´s last blog: The Ultimate Checklist for an Awesome Killer Blog Post
Thanks for the comments.
@Mihai : I would like to write another article sometime, if you don’t mind.
@Robert : Agreed, I’ve never thought of shooting and compared it to photography but you’re correct the same rules apply. That is probably where the name “Machine Gun Hold” came from.
Sheldon Evans´s last blog: http://www.area1.info/articles/tips-for-reducing-camera-shake/
@Sheldon: I don’t mind if you want to write another article. Thanks again!
Mihai Opariuc´s last blog: Tips for reducing camera shake
Love your blog!
I think this article is awesome. Now I’m not much of a photographer, but I actually like taking photos, might be from my father. He goes crazy with a camera when we are on a holiday.
But well, I think that this article was quite inspiring, even though I am not taking that many photos.
I definitely learned something. Haha, sorry for being a newbie at photographing.
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