How to hold a camera correctly and properly?

As you know, nowadays many cameras are offered with vibration stabilization. Some cameras have applied stabilization technologies directly to the camera sensor and others to their lenses. Some more professional cameras also use both of these two methods to provide the best results and performance for their camera customers. In the meantime, most of today’s cameras can adjust the ISO value by themselves so that the shutter speed is high enough to capture clear and shake-free images. Although using these features and technological advances will help you capture better images, it is still essential that you learn how to hold the camera properly. Proper use and holding of the camera in your hands during photography will help you to record clear images even with mid-level cameras. In this article, you will read a complete photography tutorial on how to hold the camera correctly.

What is meant by camera shake?

Camera shake happens when the camera shakes in the photographer’s hands, and the shutter speed is not high enough to capture the target clearly and stably. As a result, your photo will be blurry and look like the target is moving.

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Camera shake usually occurs in low-light environments due to slow shutter speeds. Because the camera tries to absorb more light and take a clear picture by reducing the shutter speed. By reducing the shutter speed, the probability of recording the camera shake is much higher. Of course, the wrong setting of the camera’s exposure variables can also increase the problem.

For example, in dimly lit environments, the photographer should open the camera aperture as much as possible and increase the ISO value so that the image light is sufficient. If the settings are wrong and there is not sufficient light, the camera will automatically reduce the shutter speed.

Techniques for how to hold a camera correctly and steady

Along with all the technical points mentioned in the previous section, one of the simplest ways to reduce or prevent camera shake during photography is to use the correct techniques to hold the camera. To do this, keep a few simple steps in mind and pay attention to them.

1- Place the angle of your body and legs perpendicular to the target

When holding the camera standing parallel to the target may increase camera shake. Therefore, we recommend that you have a 90-degree vertical angle with the target. This will help you have more balance when shooting. Because if there is a vibration, it will be backward and forwards, which has less effect on the image vibration. If you’ve been shooting, you know that the position and the way you stand will impact keeping the gun steady and controlling it.

2- stick your elbow to the side

The openness of the hands and elbows causes the vibrations to intensify, and any movement in your body is transferred to the hands. Therefore, we recommend that you keep your elbows firmly at your side when taking pictures. Your body will act as a support point and prevent the possible vibrations of your hands and elbows.

3- Hold the balance point of the camera

This case depends a lot on the type of camera and lens you have. As we know, there are different cameras with different dimensions in the market. Some have large and heavy lenses. However, every camera and every lens has a balance point. If you hold the camera from its balance point, it will be steady and shake less.

4- Hold the camera in front of your face

5- Push the camera a little with your head

When you have your hands and elbows fully attached to the sides and the camera in front of your face, we recommend that you put a little pressure on the camera with your face so that everything is under your control. By doing this, you will master the camera in several ways.

6- Exhale before pressing the shutter button

Inhaling and exhaling can also cause shakes and vibrations in the camera and your photo. Therefore, while holding the camera and shooting, remember to exhale before pressing the shutter button. Even low breaths can cause small shakes in the camera. This technique is also essential in shooting and military training. Soldiers always learn to exhale and hold their breath before pulling the trigger.

So keep these things in mind to reduce camera shake.

Remember that all the above applies when your lens or camera does not use stabilizer systems. Cameras such as that option help you in this work and automatically remove possible vibrations, thus, having clear photos. However, following and applying these techniques will increase your photography skills. In general, we recommend that the stabilizer mode of your camera is always on unless you want to take a lot of pictures with a very high shutter speed that does not need a stabilizer. But remember, if you plan to shoot with a very high shutter speed, it is better to turn off the lens and camera image stabilization mode. Because in this situation, it may act contrary to your expectations and reduce the speed of your photography.