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Photo Tips & Techniques

Proper Handholding Technique by Russ Burden When the situation doesn't allow for a tripod, use these techniques to steady your camera yourself Article rating: 8.93

Tripods and image stabilization - two examples that design and technology greatly benefit photography. My tripod is an extension of myself when I’m out in the field. Not only does it help me obtain sharp images, it helps improve my compositions as it forces me to slow down which in turn gets me to fine tune the composition. Lens stabilization frees me up to work a bit more quickly when I’m photographing wildlife or any other subject when it’s just not practical to use a tripod. But what about the times when my lens is zoomed out to 300mm and it doesn’t have stabilization built in? What about the times I have on a wide angle as I’m walking around the city and the shutter speed reads one fifteenth? Try the following techniques to get the sharpest possible images under trying circumstances.

The Arm Support: Take a look at picture number 1. If you’re right handed, take your left arm,  reach it around your body, and grab your right shoulder. Place the camera and lens upon the upper arm that is used as a support. This action alone will help steady the camera. To ensure you get a sharp image take this one step further. While you press the shutter, press down on with the camera holding hand while you simultaneously press up with the platform arm. The opposing forces counter each other and creates a more sturdy platform.

The Human Tripod: When conditions exist that allow you to sit on the ground, use your elbows and knees as supports as illustrated in photo number 2. Place the camera directly over the center point of your knees and cup the barrel of the lens with your hand so it acts like a platform. Gently press down on the shutter while gently pushing up with your support hand to counter the pressing of the shutter.

Find Some Help: Use what’s around you to your advantage. Depending where an auxiliary support structure is located, if it allows you to create the composition you want, lean the camera on it, against it or in any other fashion that will help you get a sharper photo. Note that in the image, the photographer is still using his hand as a platform to gain further support.

Camera Strap: If you have a camera strap attached to the body, place the far end around the back of your tricep. Extend it so the strap is fully stretched and loop your fingers around it so it now has a very snug fit . This creates as much tension as possible with no play whatsoever in the strap. This opposing tension will help steady the camera when it’s placed up to the eye.

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.

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