4 HOLDING THE CAMERA
4 Holding the Camera
The best way to prevent image blur from camera movementis to hold the camera
as steady as possible, with your left hand supporting the camera and lens. Lightly
rest your right index finger on the shutterbutton, and the tip of your thumbon the
film advance lever or on the body. Wrap your otherright fingers around the action
grip. Then press your left elbow to your body and lightly press the camera against
your cheek or forehead. For a vertical shot, steady at least one elbow against your
body. Spread your feet slightly apart. one foot ahead of the other, and relax. Lean
against a steady support if one is available.
There is, of course, no one correct way to hold the camera.
Experiment to find the most suitable way for you. Select a method that provides
comfort in addition to stability. It may help to practice in front of a mirror.
When shooting at a shutter speed of 1/30 sec. Or slower or with a telephoto lens,
it is advisable to mount the camera on a tripod. If the tripod screw is especially
long, be careful not to screw it in beyond the limit of the camera’s tripod socket.
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