How To Hold A Camera Steady

Learning or reading nearly how to hold a camera is a mail a lot of people might brush over without thinking about the importance. I congratulate you lot for coming this far.
If you're new to photography, I can well-nigh guarantee that you're currently making one of the mistakes listed below. This mail service should aid you boot a few bad habits and evidence you how to concur a camera.
If you lot already know how to hold a photographic camera, have a look at our Camera Care Made Easy article.

Continuing Upwards

Since holding my photographic camera properly, I've been able to reduce the shutter speed. I can hold it even so for longer in low light situations.
It's all to do with the grip you use and the betoken of your centre of gravity. This determines camera shake and balance.
When y'all have your arm out (like in the image on the left) you're barely supporting the photographic camera. And you're moving your heart of gravity away from your body.
This may look unusual but information technology's something we all practise without even realising it.
Information technology's especially common when it comes to taking portrait photos.
Y'all desire to try to keep your elbows close together. This provides stability and keeps your middle of gravity prissy and low.
The same is true when you lot're shooting in portrait. Don't allow your left arm to separate from your right.
You lot'll detect that the 2nd photograph is yet incorrect though. The 2d hand isn't being used to correctly support the camera. By placing the left hand nether the lens, you're spreading out the task of stabilizing the photographic camera and keeping whatever stray fingers abroad from the end of the lens.

Go along your elbows together, against your chest
Go along your left paw under the lens, rather than on the side
Leanslightly into camera, holding it tight confronting the forehead
Keep your legs open
Same for shooting portrait, no excuses.

three positions of holding the camera straight up - How to Hold a Camera
I've already spoken nigh the center of gravity. That's what it ultimately comes downward to.
The lower your center of gravity, the less likely you are to movement about. The closer the camera is to the cadre of your trunk, the easier information technology will exist to hold still.
Below is something we've all seen time and time again, replicated the earth over by tourists and art students.
Leaning in and out with your camera might seem similar a good thought. In reality, information technology's much easier just to have a step back or forth – don't exist lazy!
Think of it as a game of Jenga with all the bricks leaning to one side: you're much more likely to milk shake and topple over. Keep everything straight and aligned for the best results.
three positions of how to hold a camera standing up - side view
If you're still struggling to keep everything still, hither'due south an extra technique I'd like to share with you.
In that location are different variations of this technique, usually differing in what to exercise with the left hand. This is the fashion that works all-time for me.
Utilize your left arm equally a support by placing your left hand on your correct shoulder. Then residue your camera on the top half of the arm.
You can then use your photographic camera as normal, just turning to the side of your subject, rather than being straight on.
Try it out for yourself and see what works best for you.
This isn't a stance I utilize all that often because it tin be a little awkward and I like to be able to zoom. Simply I have resorted to information technology in the past when needs must.
Two positions of how to use your arm to steady you images - How to Hold a Camera

Sitting Downward

No surprises here – sitting downwardly lowers your center of gravity and increases your balance. There is notwithstanding a right and incorrect way to do information technology.
By stretching your legs out, you're really only partially supporting your torso. And by not leaning in, your balance is going to rock back and forth.
Simply lifting upward your legs means you have somewhere to put your elbows. And by leaning in, y'all create a solid core that you tin can rest your camera on pinnacle of.
Having your legs open will stop you rocking from side to side. And it volition allow you to take sharper photos at slower speeds.
And aye, I realise that her left hand is not the right way around – oops!
Two positions on How to Hold a Camera while sitting down
Finally, if yous have space to lean on the ground and face forward, this is the all-time position to exist in.
Without wanting to repeat myself too much, y'all can see what you're supposed to be doing here.
The position of your legs no longer matters because all of your weight is pushed onto the front of your body. This makes your artillery particularly important.
In the first photograph, the left hand on the outside of the camera pushes the camera down. In the photo on the right, all the same, it's supporting the camera from any downwardly action. And providing a firm platform for it to stand up on.
Your arms still demand to stay close together but not equally much as earlier. They are now acting like legs and need a slightly wider gap to remain supportive.
two positions of how to hold a camera while lying down