When is your body most still to take shake-free pics?

[blam83]

Just wondering, at what moment of your breathing would you consider your hands most still to capture a clear pic? Some thinks the moment you achieve maximum breathe intake, some says when you exhaled all....

[Superangel]

I believe the trick is to inhale, hold, then press the shutter. Of course it's not just your breathing, the position of your arms, your balance etc. all affect things.

Maybe it's individual preference, but I think inhaling and having your arms locked close to your chest can work well. But of course if it's problem, just get a tripod :) The Joby Gorillapod is handy if you don't want to carry something big and heavy around.

[AtlPikMan]

I havent found a true way to get good shots. I dont consider myself to be a jittery person but sometimes i cant be still enough to avoid camera shake. I guess i will have to keep at it. My technique right now is to inhale hold, click and release.

[XaiLo]

There' a natural pause in the breathing rythm when you exhale. relax and shoot.

[K1W1]

Find your local neighbourhood Police or Military sniper and ask them. The technique is the same.

[jcon]

Typically, you want to have your legs spread in a sturdy stance, lean a bit forward, take a normal breath, hold it, and take your shot.

[blam83]

Find your local neighbourhood Police or Military sniper and ask them. The technique is the same.


You think they will respond to such a question? It might be hard to convince them its used for camera shooting, and not something else.........:D

[K1W1]

Then find somebody who is a good shot at the local rifle range. Shooting a camera is exactly the same technique as shooting a rifle. Any instructor should be able to give you plenty of tips.

[Paradox]

From my time at a local shooting club (Just targets), breathe in, exhale about half of the air in your lungs, and stop breathing. You should have 8-10 seconds before the need to breath bothers you. Holding your breath in tenses your muscles and causes shake. Exhaling too much and you obviously run out of air.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I thought people came here for advice:D

I can't believe for such an obvious question (that I'd never thought to ask) there isn't a definative substantiated answer.

For archery the answer was breath in deeply, hold breath and fire because you go weak when breathing out.

[Prospero]

From my time at a local shooting club (Just targets), breathe in, exhale about half of the air in your lungs, and stop breathing. You should have 8-10 seconds before the need to breath bothers you. Holding your breath in tenses your muscles and causes shake. Exhaling too much and you obviously run out of air.

This is what works best for me as well. However, not controlling my breath works just as well. If I try holding my breath the results seem to be worse.

I guess the strategy which works best differs from person to person. Just try the different methods posted here and see what works best for you.

One thing that works really well, though, is drinking one or two (or three) beers before shooting :D

[d0od]

I just got The hot Shoe Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Flashes-Voices/dp/0321580141/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239734996&sr=8-1) and he has a position that seems very stable to me. It does require using your left eye, hold camera grip in your right hand and place bottom left corner of the camera between your left shoulder and collarbone, then he showed with fixed lenses to reach under with your left hand and place it over your right hand. With zoom lenses to put your hand under the lens to use and support it. I probably made it sound way more complicated than it is.

[btuner]

usually when I think about what I am doing breathing wise, I get a more blurry shot then when I don't think about it

[VTEC_EATER]

I just got The hot Shoe Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Flashes-Voices/dp/0321580141/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239734996&sr=8-1) and he has a position that seems very stable to me. It does require using your left eye, hold camera grip in your right hand and place bottom left corner of the camera between your left shoulder and collarbone, then he showed with fixed lenses to reach under with your left hand and place it over your right hand. With zoom lenses to put your hand under the lens to use and support it. I probably made it sound way more complicated than it is.

Its kind of what Joe McNally talks about in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsx3-FWfwk

[d0od]

Well that happens to be the author of the book. :)

[craigyc]

Its hard to do without a big camera or a battery grip on your cam! I tried with my d90 but it wasn't long enough to dig into my shoulder.

[K1W1]

If I try holding my breath the results seem to be worse.

That is correct. Holding your breath is the worst possible thing to do. You need to control your breathing not hold it.