Comments on: 4 Tips for Handholding Your Camera at Lower Shutter Speeds http://professionalsnapshots.com/blog/archives/147 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:39:05 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: profadmin http://professionalsnapshots.com/blog/archives/147/comment-page-1#comment-771 profadmin Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:57:06 +0000 http://professionalsnapshots.com/blog/archives/147#comment-771 That's a great point - thanks for the post Jason! Whenever possible, a tripod is definately the way to go. I shoot on it as much as possible - it removes all the difficulty. I'd only recommend this when a tripod isn't available or you'll be moving around a ton. Yah, the Rebel XT is a bit small (I have one - one of the things I like most about the 40D is its beefier feel). When doing the technique, you have to almost rest it on your shoulder, rotating your upper torso even more to do so, which is even more uncomfortable. And, the hand definately has to reach around to the shutter release. That’s a great point – thanks for the post Jason! Whenever possible, a tripod is definately the way to go. I shoot on it as much as possible – it removes all the difficulty.

I’d only recommend this when a tripod isn’t available or you’ll be moving around a ton.

Yah, the Rebel XT is a bit small (I have one – one of the things I like most about the 40D is its beefier feel). When doing the technique, you have to almost rest it on your shoulder, rotating your upper torso even more to do so, which is even more uncomfortable. And, the hand definately has to reach around to the shutter release.

]]> By: Jason http://professionalsnapshots.com/blog/archives/147/comment-page-1#comment-769 Jason Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:16:30 +0000 http://professionalsnapshots.com/blog/archives/147#comment-769 Hey Brian, great post here! I had seen Joe McNally talk about it on his blog too, so this is now the second time around. It definitely sounds like a technique to consider. If you are hand holding a lot, I guess this would make sense insofar as it will really make you as stable as you can get...kind of like a duopod rather than a monopod or a tripod since your left elbow can't touch the floor. I would venture to suggest that it's almost always preferable to use a tripod or monopod as opposed to going completely handheld. While learning a more stable way of hand holding, and taking advantage of IS and other such elements are helpful for scenarios where you have to hand hold gear, it's still never going to be as stable as a tripod, no matter how steady you are. Heart rates, breathing, and pulses prevent absolute stillness. Just my two cents. Oh yeah...one other thing I forgot to mention - with a Canon XT and kit lens, it is virtually impossible to use this approach if you are in portrait (vertical) mode. In landscape, yeah, you can probably get there, but even that will be awkward, not just initially. Some of these entry level SLR's just aren't big enough without a grip to use the technique....ok, I promise, that's all! :) Hey Brian, great post here! I had seen Joe McNally talk about it on his blog too, so this is now the second time around. It definitely sounds like a technique to consider. If you are hand holding a lot, I guess this would make sense insofar as it will really make you as stable as you can get…kind of like a duopod rather than a monopod or a tripod since your left elbow can’t touch the floor.

I would venture to suggest that it’s almost always preferable to use a tripod or monopod as opposed to going completely handheld. While learning a more stable way of hand holding, and taking advantage of IS and other such elements are helpful for scenarios where you have to hand hold gear, it’s still never going to be as stable as a tripod, no matter how steady you are. Heart rates, breathing, and pulses prevent absolute stillness. Just my two cents.

Oh yeah…one other thing I forgot to mention – with a Canon XT and kit lens, it is virtually impossible to use this approach if you are in portrait (vertical) mode. In landscape, yeah, you can probably get there, but even that will be awkward, not just initially. Some of these entry level SLR’s just aren’t big enough without a grip to use the technique….ok, I promise, that’s all! :)

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