Beginning photographers often encounter the problem of camera shake. Because of this, it would seem that in perspective, successful shots turn out blurry and soft at a time when this effect was not planned.
Of course, there are already many ways to fix this problem. Let’s look at them together. By the way, you may be interested in the best camera stabilizers, read more about it on Skylum`s blog.
The basics to solve the problem
You don’t even notice it, but any camera shakes. What is required to get a clear picture is:
- Maximum possible stability;
- Fast shutter speed.
Blurry images are obtained in combination with wobbling of your hands (i.e. the camera is not stable), and slow shutter speeds. Eliminate these problems for clarity of the picture.
The technical solution to the problem
If you have eliminated the above nuances, but the camera shake problem remains – address your camera settings, viz:
- Increase the shutter speed. This will help you make the picture clearer if you can’t eliminate hand shake. By the way, a lot more depends on what lens you’re using. With a long lens, a shutter speed of 1/500 seconds or faster is good. With a short lens, I can recommend using a tripod and a shutter speed of 1/80 seconds or slower. Try it, and with practice, you will gain an understanding of how it works.
- Today’s cameras already have a stabilization system as a factory setting. The manufacturer developed it specifically to help solve the problem of camera shake, but be careful, not all of them work well. In the case of the successful built-in function – you may need a shutter speed of 1/60 s, 1/30 s, or 1/15 s. But be sure to test this system before taking a photo.
Use a tripod
There is an important point! In this case, the image stabilization is necessarily turned off! Why? Because the average result between a tripod and stabilization is a soft picture. And we’re talking about crisp photography.
Of course, lugging around a tripod sometimes makes us very uncomfortable. So you can replace it with a monopod. A monopod is of course less functional and reliable, but it should do the job.
Remote or self-timer
Another time you get a camera shake is when you press the shutter button. How to fix it?
- Option one is to use the remote release;
- Option two is a self-timer, which will give you a period to reduce the shaking.
Both options are pretty workable. Experiment and find the more comfortable way for you.
Short lens
How is a short lens better than a long lens? First, it’s lighter, and that physically reduces your handshake. Second, a short lens will cover a smaller portion of your field of view, and that reduces the effect of handshaking.
If all of the above tips didn’t work for you, then it makes sense to get a short lens. I recommend that you look at a wide-angle lens, which does the job of reducing shakes better than the others.
A physical solution to the problem
We have already figured out how to fix the stated problem technically, let’s move on to the physical method. We are talking about how you hold the camera and act with your body to reduce camera shake.
The first method is the easiest and most effective. To make the camera more stable in your hands, pull your elbows up to your torso and lean on them. This will give you a good footing. As a small tip, try to hold your breath while pressing the shutter release button to reduce vibrations.
- The point of support can be your rib cage. To do this, you need to raise your shoulder higher than usual and rest your elbow against your chest.
- Lean on your knee. Don’t be afraid to get dirty, this will give you the opportunity to essentially create a secure tripod with your own body.
- Also, one way to hold your camera against something stable. For example, it could be the ground, and you will be forced to shoot lying down. Don’t be afraid to get dirty, the result can be impressive and you will get rid of camera shake. Of course, this method will work if your subject is not high up.
- Hold the camera as if you were holding a gun. Of course, you won’t be able to hold the camera for a long time. It is not comfortable for long periods of time. To do this you hold the camera to your eye with your right hand and put the lens on your left hand with your right elbow raised high. To understand how to do this correctly and position yourself comfortably you will need a lot of practice before photographing.
An extreme way to reduce camera shake is to sit down on one knee, with your elbow resting on that knee, and place the camera between your wrist and shoulder. This, too, is a very effective way to correct your problem.
The last words about eliminating camera shake
The most basic tips for you are listed and now you can easily handle the problem of camera shake. Revise the technique you use; don’t forget how to work your body properly! I’m sure you won’t have any more of these difficulties. After reading this article you may have questions about the best camera stabilizers. For finding answers go to Skylum`s blog!
