Hold the camera still

Following on from the last two posts I thought it would be pertinent to continue with how to hold the camera still. The techniques we use are passed on from studying sharp shooters.  It can’t be emphasised enough the importance of putting every effort into using your camera to the best of your ability for every shot. 

We start with the feet, they should be spread at a shoulders width apart. One foot forward and the other one at ninty degrees to it so that the souls of your shoes are making a T pattern.   This gives you the best multidirectional stability.  Lock your knees by straightening your legs fully.   

Cradle one hand under the lens and the other holding the camera with your finger on the shutter.  Remembering the earlier post about squeezing the shutter, you need to have a good grip around the grip and the bdy.

Lastly tuck your elbows into your body and brace them against yourself.  Your body should be rigid and stiff.  Now you can take your deep breath, let it all the way out and squeeze the shutter gently.   

Click

Any foreign object that can help is great to use.  A car with the engine turned off, a tree or a fence.  A large rock perhaps.  Adding extra stability by leaning against a wall helps immensely with keeping the camera still. 

In taking this photograph I used the ground for extra stability and lay down on it.  I used another trick whereby I turned off auto focus. Set a rough focus by using the focus dial.  I then moved the camera closer and further away from this orchid to get it in focus.  Squeezing the shutter as different parts of the flower came into focus.  I tried a few different focal points and apertures. Latter I settled on this version.

Bunny Ear Orchid, Albany, Western Australia.  Photograph and text copyright ©️ Len Metcalf 2018